Sports stats



CalL1 Inland Empire 66ers

Defense Costs 66ers in 7-6 Defeat

August 27, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
Inland Empire 66ers News Release


RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - Steve Caseres crushed two monstrous home runs but four 66ers errors led to four unearned runs as the Quakes avoided a sweep with a 7-6 win at The Epicenter Wednesday night.

Trailing 7-6 with one out in the ninth, Preston Mattingly hit a deep fly out near the warning track in center field. Andres Perez tried to tag up from first base but was thrown out at second on a strong throw from center fielder P.J. Phillips for a game-ending double play.

In the first, the Quakes rumbled for five runs off Inland Empire starter Tim Sexton. After Justin Fuller bobbled a grounder to short for an error, Matt Sweeney made the 66ers pay with a line drive three-run homer to right. Efren Navarro then tripled and scored on a fly out before Clay Fuller singled and scored on Phillips' triple as Rancho Cucamonga grabbed a 5-0 lead.

Andres Perez put the 66ers on the board when he led off the second with a home run to left, his third home run in the three-game series and fourth big fly in seven games.

The Quakes responded with a run in the bottom half as Abel Nieves singled home Andrew Romine for a 6-1 lead.

With two on and one out in the fifth, Caseres crushed an offering from Quakes starter Mike Kenney well beyond the wall in right for a majestic three-run bomb.

Rancho Cucamonga scored an unearned run in the home half for what proved to be the decisive run.

In his next at bat, Caseres crushed a soaring two-run home run out to right as the Sixers pulled within a run. It was the second multi-homer game of the year for Caseres, who slugged a pair June 15 at Lancaster.

Sexton (8-13) yielded 7 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits and 4 walks with 4 strikeouts.

Stephen Geltz (7-1) picked up the win despite allowing the second home run by Caseres in 2 1/3 innings.

The 66ers (55-74) made four errors for the second consecutive night. The win leaves the Quakes (57-72) two games ahead of the 66ers for the final playoff spot with 11 games remaining.

Inland Empire returns to Arrowhead Credit Union Park Thursday at 7:05 p.m. to open up its final homestand of the season with the High Desert Mavericks. RHP Justin Miller (0-4, 6.63) gets the nod for the 66ers while RHP J.C. Ramirez takes the ball for the Mavericks. Tickets are available at www.66ers.com or the 66ers box office at 280 South E Street in San Bernardino. For more information, call 909-888-9922.

Check out the Inland Empire 66ers Statistics



California League Stories from August 27, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central