Sopko with Strong Start on Tuesday in Road Win
June 29, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release
Visalia, CA - The Quakes used the long-ball and some good pitching from Andrew Sopko on Tuesday night, downing the Visalia Rawhide by a final of 3-1 at Recreation Park.
Garrett Kennedy and Edwin Rios both went yard and Sopko won his team-leading eighth of the year, as the Quakes snapped a brief two-game skid.
With Michael Ahmed aboard with a lead-off single, Kennedy delivered with his second blast of the year, a two-run shot to put Rancho in the lead at 2-1.
Rios smashed a lead-off homer to open the fourth against Visalia starter Joel Payamps (2-1), his fourth of the year, making it 3-1.
Sopko (8-1) was sharp through six innings, as he allowed a first-inning run, but shut down the Rawhide after that, finishing the game with seven strikeouts and only one run allowed on four hits and one walk.
The Rancho bullpen held Visalia in check the rest of the way, as Kevin Brown went two scoreless frames before Jeff Malm finished off the Rawhide in the ninth for his second save of the year.
The Quakes (3-3, 45-31) will look for a series-win on Wednesday, sending Yaisel Sierra (4-4) to the mound against lefty Josh Taylor (2-7), with game time from Recreation Park scheduled for 7:00pm.
?On Thursday night, the Quakes return to LoanMart Field, taking on the Stockton Ports in a four-game series. Thursday is another Thirsty Thursday, sponsored by Slater's 50/50, as fans will enjoy $2 Pepsi products, $3 domestic drafts and $3 premium drafts, wine, champagne and margaritas. Game time is set for 7:05pm and tickets are available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com.
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- Sopko with Strong Start on Tuesday in Road Win - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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