This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press August 8, 1999. Invite Rancho Cucamonga pitcher Rick Guttormson, too. In between the bloopers, bleepers and practical jokes, there would've been some real action. Greg Wooten, meanwhile, continued building on his strong July as the JetHawks scored a commanding 6-1 victory over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The announced crowd of 6,137 at The Epicenter watched Lancaster bid farewell to Rancho for 1999 with only its second win in 10 games at The Epicenter.
Familiarity truly breeds contempt here.
In more ways than one. After driving in two with the homer in the first and another one with the double into the right-field corner in the third, Fernandez was clearly and firmly ensconced in Guttormson's head. So much so that Fernandez said he knew he was going to get hit before he stepped in. Aside from leading the Cal League with 12 wins, Guttormson is one of the league's marksmen. Which is why right after Guttormson's pitch met Fernandez's flesh, he was going to the mound.