Cruz Snuffed by Umpire

Cirilo Cruz used wax before he took his hacks Thursday night. It cost him his bat.

Cruz used a lighted church candle to bless his bat before Thursday night’s 6-5 loss to High Desert, an approach that seemed to work when the JetHawk third baseman smacked a first-inning single.

Home plate umpire Steve Mattingly, however, confiscated the bat after noticing wax drippings on the handle.

The bat has been sent to California League President Joe Gagliardi for further inspection.

“I didn’t know it was illegal,” said Cruz, who was allowed to remain in the game but went hitless in his final four at-bats.

Earlier this season, Mattingly confiscated the bat of JetHawk outfielder Luis Tinoco, which was found to be legal.

Asked if he would use the candle wax again, Cruz said he wouldn’t, then smiled and pointed to his batting gloves instead.

*

Tonight’s game: JetHawks (Joe Victery, 5-3, 4.29) at Bakersfield (Jason Grote, 12-8, 3.45), 7:15.

AROUND THE LEAGUES

Scanning Thursday’s box scores: TRIPLE A--Jim Parque (Crescenta Valley) pitched five no-hit innings in his first start and Nashville (White Sox) beat Buffalo, 3-2. . . . Tucson catcher Bobby Hughes (Notre Dame) singled in a loss to Calgary, raising his average to .306. DOUBLE A--First baseman Kevin Millar (Hart) slugged his 30th home run for Portland (Marlins) in a 7-3 victory over Trenton. . . . David Newhan (Pepperdine) had two hits and scored three runs in Huntsville’s 11-4 victory over Knoxville. . . . Left fielder Scott Richardson (Cal State Northridge) singled and doubled in San Antonio’s 3-0 victory over Midland. CLASS A--San Jose’s Mike McMullen (Granada Hills) earned his seventh save in a 3-2 victory over Rancho Cucamonga. . . . Shortstop Adam Kennedy (Cal State Northridge) had three hits in Prince William’s doubleheader sweep of Frederick. . . . Dan Cey (El Camino Real) stole his 23rd base for Fort Myers (Twins) in an 8-5 victory over Dunedin. . . . Chris Garza (Notre Dame) struck out three in 1 2/3 innings to earn his 13th save for Fort Wayne (Twins) in a 4-2 victory over Lansing. . . . Left fielder Derek Swafford (Ventura) had two hits in a doubleheader for Augusta (Pirates). . . . Infielder Ryan Stromsborg (Notre Dame) had four hits as Hagerstown (Blue Jays) split a doubleheader with Cape Fear. ROOKIE--Designated hitter Chris Paxton (Palmdale) had two hits for Bluefield (Orioles). . . . Outfielder Junior Brignac (Cleveland) doubled twice for Danville (Braves) in a 10-1 victory over Johnson City. . . . Left fielder Fernando Rios (Glendale) had four hits in Billings’ 5-2 loss to Idaho Falls. . . . Catcher Casey Snow (Crespi) hit his second home run for Great Falls (Dodgers) in a 4-3 loss to Medicine Hat.