Quakes Fall Sunday, First Half Title Goes to Mavs
June 19, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release
San Jose, CA - The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes' first-half magic came to an end on Sunday afternoon, as they were eliminated from first-half contention with a 5-3 loss to the San Jose Giants at Municipal Stadium.
Despite the best first half in franchise history (42-28), the Quakes will finish the half at least a game back of the High Desert Mavericks, who with Rancho's loss, have clinched the First Half South Division.
All-Star Andrew Sopko suffered his first loss of the year on Sunday. After facing the minimum through three innings, Sopko (7-1) was tagged for four runs on four hits in the fourth, as San Jose erased a 2-0 deficit and took a 4-2 lead, with Ty Ross providing the go-ahead two-run single.
Rancho got back in it in the eighth, as Devan Ahart brought home Joey Curletta with an RBI single, making it a 4-3 game. That's as close as the Quakes would get though, as Giants' reliever Reyes Moronta got Matt Beaty to ground out with two runners on, ending the threat.
Bubby Rossman got touched for a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth, as the Giants got a huge insurance run, with Johan Arenado's long-ball making it 5-3.
The Quakes went in order in the ninth, as Giants' closer Rodolfo Martinez earned his league-best 20th save of the year.
Giants' starter Phil Bickford was dominant in his Cal League debut, striking out nine of the first ten batters he faced to earn the win. Bickford (1-0) finished with 13 punch-outs, while the Rancho offense went down on strikes 18 times overall.
The Quakes congratulate the High Desert Mavericks on winning the First Half South Division Title and look forward to hosting the Mavs in the opening game of the second half on Thursday night.
Thursday will be another Thirsty Thursday, presented by Bernard's, as fans can enjoy $2 Pepsi products, $3 16-oz domestic drafts and $4 16-oz premium drafts, wine, champagne and margaritas. Tickets are available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com.
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California League Stories from June 19, 2016
- Mack Hits For Cycle To Lift Blaze To Sweep - Lancaster JetHawks
- Rawhide Strand 11 in 7-5 Loss to Lake Elsinore - Visalia Rawhide
- Nuts Stranded in the Sun in 6-3 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- Bickford Brilliant in Debut, Giants Win 5-3 - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Fall Sunday, First Half Title Goes to Mavs - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Colin Bray Homers Twice on His Birthday in 3-2 Win - Visalia Rawhide
- Blaze Bats Have Little Quit in Barrage - Bakersfield Blaze
- Ethan Elias Goes Six Strong Innings, Allowing One-Run to Earn Victory - Visalia Rawhide
- Early Modesto Runs Doom 66ers - Inland Empire 66ers
- Late Surge Lifts Ports Past Mavs 2-1 - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Enter Sunday with a Chance - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Lancaster cannot overcome Bakersfield's six-run sixth inning - Lancaster JetHawks
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