CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Quakes Drop Opener in Visalia on Thursday

Published on April 6, 2018 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release


VISALIA, CA - ?Visalia, CA - The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes came up short in their 2018 opener, dropping an 11-9 decision to the Visalia Rawhide at Recreation Park on Thursday night.

The Rancho offense rallied all night long, eventually scoring a run in the ninth and putting the tying runs on base. But with runners at the corners, closer Josh Taylor induced a ground ball from Donovan Casey to end the evening and give the Rawhide the Opening Night win.

Starter Dean Kremer and the entire pitching staff struggled to keep the Rawhide out of the run column, as Visalia scored in six of their first seven innings, while every Rancho pitcher was touched for at least one run.

After an RBI groundout by Cristian Santana put the Quakes on the board in the first, the Rawhide offense struck for three quick runs, taking the lead for good against Kremer.

A fly ball lost in the lights with two outs started the Rawhide rally in the first, with Daulton Varsho's RBI single tying the game at 1-1. Drew Ellis followed with a go-ahead double, plating two runs to give Visalia a 3-1 lead.

After Kremer gave up another in the second, Rancho countered with a pair in the third. Omar Estevez, who finished with two hits and two runs scored, knocked in a run with an RBI double, then scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-3 against Visalia starter Sam McWilliams (1-0).

The Rawhide chased Kremer (0-1) in the fourth and got to Parker Curry for a run, scoring three in the inning to take a 7-3 lead. Curry gave up two more in the fifth, as Visalia took a commanding 9-3 lead.

The Rancho bats came to life in the mid-innings, as Connor Wong blasted a two-run homer, making it 9-5.

After Visalia got a run off reliever Stetson Allie, the Quakes got a three-run double from Santana, making it a two-run game, at 10-8.

The Rawhide got their final run off Ryan Moseley in the seventh, taking an 11-8 lead.

In the ninth, Rylan Bannon's infield single with two outs scored Santana and kept hope alive, but Taylor got Casey to wrap it up, collecting his first save.

Santana had a huge night in the loss, as he drove in four runs, while finishing with two hits and two runs scored.

The Quakes (0-1) will send Andrew Sopko to the hill on Friday night, as he'll be opposed by right-hander Bo Takahashi. First pitch for game two of the series will be 7:00pm.

Next Thursday night, the Quakes will play at LoanMart Field for the first time in 2018, as they host the Inland Empire 66ers in the 2018 Home Opener. Fans will enjoy post-game Fireworks, thanks to Sprout's Farmers Markets and fans will also take home 2018 Magnet Schedules, thanks to Allstar KIA.  Tickets are still available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you at LoanMart Field for Opening Night...Go Quakes!

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California League Stories from April 6, 2018


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