CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Bullpen Blows Lead, Quakes Fall 9-6

Published on July 14, 2006 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release


RANCHO CUCAMONGA-A 6-2 Quakes lead after six innings evaporated quickly in a disastrous five-run eighth as Lake Elsinore struck for seven runs against the Rancho Cucamonga relief corps en route to a 9-6 win before 2,506 fans at the Epicenter Thursday night. The Storm improved to 12-8 in the second half and 48-42 overall, while the Quakes fell to 9-12 and 41-50.

Things started well for the Quakes, as a passed ball scored Nate Sutton in the first inning and Michael Collins followed with an RBI single later in the frame to give Rancho Cucamonga a quick 2-0 lead. The teams traded runs in the fourth, and the Quakes then seemed to take a commanding 6-1 lead with three runs in the fifth. Sutton led it off with a solo home run on the first pitch from Storm starter Josh Geer, and after Freddy Sandoval walked Sean Rodriguez drilled a two-run bomb to right-center.

Lake Elsinore strung together three soft singles in the sixth to cut the lead to 6-2, but the trouble began in the seventh when the Quakes dipped into the bullpen following the seventh quality start of the season from left-hander Micah Posey. Aaron Pullin was the first man out of the pen and surrendered two runs in the top of the seventh, but the Quakes still felt confident when Kevin Lynch took over with a 6-4 lead to start the eighth. Lynch struggled with his command immediately though, falling behind 3-0 to pinch-hitter Josh Howard before giving up a leadoff double and then falling behind 3-0 to Skip Adams before Adams singled to center to bring the Storm within a run at 6-5. A fielder's choice got the Quakes one out, but Sandoval's second fielding error and a four-pitch walk to Chase Headley loaded the bases and chased Lynch from the game.

Brad Beck entered for a lefty-lefty match-up with Peter Ciofrone, but Ciofrone spoiled the strategy with a two-run single to center to put Lake Elsinore up for good at 7-6. Closer Kevin Jepsen came on next and gave up an RBI single to Nic Crosta and an RBI fielder's choice to Nick Hundley before getting a double play to end the inning. Offensively, the Quakes managed just one hit over their final 15 at-bats and never got a runner past first base after Rodriguez's home run.

Mark Roberts (1-0) got the win with two perfect innings of relief, while Lynch (2-3) was charged with four runs (three earned) in just one-third of an inning. Ryan Klatt worked a perfect ninth for his second save. Sutton, Rodriguez, and Cliff Remole all had two hits for Rancho Cucamonga.

Game two in this four-game series is set for 7:05 p.m. Friday and will be the final Negro League Appreciation Night. The Quakes will wear Negro League uniforms and there will be a post-game fireworks show courtesy of Charter Communications. Karl Gelinas (1-3, 5.76 ERA) will start for the Quakes and Evan Meek (4-4, 4.81 ERA) will start for Lake Elsinore. For more information, please call the Quakes at (909) 481-5000.

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California League Stories from July 14, 2006


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