They Get an Out, but That’s About All

Juan Melo drove in the winning run with what turned out to be a weird “groundout” in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the host Rancho Cucamonga Quakes a 4-3 victory over the JetHawks, who remained three games out of a playoff spot with six to play.

With one out, Melo lined an apparent single into left field, easily driving in the winning run from third base. But Melo didn’t run to first and was retired on a throw from left field. It deprived Melo of a hit, but did not erase the run because the out was only the second of the inning.

The JetHawks (32-32 in the second half, 68-66 overall) did not lose ground to Lake Elsinore, which lost to San Bernardino, 7-4, but they lost a chance to pick up a critical game.

The JetHawks led 3-2 before the Quakes tied the game with a run in the bottom of the eighth.