Scratched, He Was Itching to Go

Fewer than 90 minutes before Tuesday night’s game, Manager Dave Brundage put all-star center fielder Marcus Sturdivant back in the lineup. Sturdivant originally was scratched because of a bruised right knee he suffered diving for a fly ball on Monday.

“I just thought, shoot, I know he’s hurt, but this is the biggest game of the year,” Brundage said. “He said he was fine. He was out here taking early hitting and taking infield.”

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James Clifford snapped out of a brief slump with three hits, including his first home run since May 12, on Monday. He was hitless in his previous 13 at-bats, which spanned a week because Clifford did not start three games against left-handed pitchers.

His sudden outburst was predictable, though. In eight games against the Quakes before Tuesday, Clifford had 12 hits in 26 at-bats with 11 runs batted in and five of his nine home runs.

“I don’t understand it,” Clifford said, “but I seem to do pretty good against them.”

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Right-hander Clint Gould, who started and lost for triple-A Tacoma, Wash., on Monday night, will be returned to the JetHawks today. In the past week, Gould has made two trips to Tacoma lasting a total of three days. Gould’s return to the JetHawk roster means another player will have to be moved.

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Tonight’s Game: Rancho Cucamonga (Kenny Henderson, 0-0, 1.80) at JetHawks (Ken Cloude, 7-2, 3.20), 7:15.