Quakes Cruise Past Giants, 8-2
June 18, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release
SAN JOSE, CA - Rancho Cucamonga's Julian Leon and Edwin Rios each hit two-run home runs in the early-innings and the Quakes cruised to an 8-2 victory over the San Jose Giants on Saturday evening at Municipal Stadium. Rancho Cucamonga jumped out to a 5-0 lead after 2 1/2 innings and never looked back en route to the win. The Giants (38-30) have now dropped two out of the first three games in the series.
Chris Shaw (2-for-2, 2B, HR, RBI) doubled and homered to lead San Jose offensively in defeat. Jonah Arenado (1-for-4) also extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
The Quakes wasted no time against Giants starter Jordan Johnson as leadoff batter Erick Mejia hammered the first pitch of the game off the fence in center for a triple. Johnson came back to strikeout the next two hitters, including rehabbing Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, but Matt Beaty delivered a two-out RBI single into right giving Rancho Cucamonga a 1-0 lead.
In the second, Devan Ahart singled with one out before Leon stepped to the plate with two down and launched a two-run homer to right. The home run, Leon's fourth of the season, extended the lead to 3-0.
Then in the third, a one-out double from Johan Mieses was followed by a Rios opposite-field two-run homer to left center. Rios' home run, his second of the series, made the score 5-0.
Josh Sborz (7-3) threw five scoreless innings to begin the contest for the Quakes to earn the win. The All-Star right-hander surrendered just two hits, walked one and struck out four during his dominant start.
San Jose finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Chris Anderson. With one out, Ronnie Jebavy was hit by a pitch before stealing second. A Steven Duggar single then moved Jebavy to third before a wild pitch scored the run to cut the Rancho Cucamonga lead to 5-1.
In the bottom of the eighth, Shaw launched a towering solo home run to right to bring the Giants to within 5-2. The home run was Shaw's team-leading 14th of the season.
San Jose though would get no closer as the Quakes broke the game open with a three-run top of the ninth against reliever Dusten Knight. With the bases loaded and one out, Knight uncorked a wild pitch scoring the first run of the frame. Ahart then bounced a single through the drawn-in infield to plate two more for an 8-2 advantage.
Johnson (5-5) suffered the loss after yielding five runs (all earned) on a career-high 10 hits over six innings. Johnson struck out six and did not issue a walk. After giving up five runs in his first three innings, Johnson finished his outing with three straight scoreless frames.
California League Stories from June 18, 2016
- Quick-Strike Offense Sets Nuts up for 5-1 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Wass Explodes for Offense, 66ere Hold on Versus Nuts - Inland Empire 66ers
- Quakes Cruise Past Giants, 8-2 - San Jose Giants
- Bullpen Blows Lead Late in 4-3 Loss to Lake Elsinore - Visalia Rawhide
- Quakes Fall in Extras, Face 1st-Half Elimination Saturday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Jebavy's 11th Inning Hit Gives Giants Walk-Off Win - San Jose Giants
- Bullpen Blows Lead Late in 4-3 Loss to Lake Elsinore - Visalia Rawhide
- Steady Mavs Attack Sinks Ports 11-1 - Stockton Ports
- Ninth-Inning Comeback Falls One Run Shy - Modesto Nuts
- Bakersfield goes up 10-1 and hangs on for second straight win over Lancaster - Lancaster JetHawks
- Blaze Win 12-Inning Thriller, 6-4 - Bakersfield Blaze
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.
