CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Quakes Edge Ports to End Road Skid

Published on May 3, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release


Stockton, CA - Quakes' reliever Pedro Baez earned his first professional save and the Quakes rode the momentum of a five-run first inning to a 6-5 win over the Stockton Ports on Thursday night at Banner Island Ballpark.

Duke Von Schamann notched his third straight win and helped end Rancho's brief two-game skid, but he needed some help from the bullpen, as the Ports left five men stranded over the final two innings, including the bases loaded to end the game.

Leading 6-4 in the eighth, the Quakes sent closer Michael Thomas to the mound for what would have been a six-out save. Thomas, who hadn't given up a homer all year, got taken deep by Josh Whitaker with one out, as the Ports climbed to within one at 6-5. Thomas hadn't walked any batters in his previous nine outings, but surrendered his first two walks of the year as well, using 26 total pitches to eventually get out of the inning with the one-run lead intact.

The 26 pitches caused the Quakes to bring in Baez for his first career save opportunity. Baez got the first batter quickly, but gave up a one-out single to Addison Russell, then a two-out hit to Max Muncy. With the tying run at second and the winning run at first, Baez hit Whitaker to load the bases. With two outs, Dusty Robinson came to the plate and saw just one pitch, lining out to Jonathan Garcia at the warning track in right field, giving Baez his first save of the year.

Rancho built a huge lead and looked like they were cruising early, as Noel Cuevas' two-run single made it 3-0 in the first. Cuevas then rode home on a Scott Schebler two-run blast to right, his fourth of the year, making it 5-0 against Stockton starter Jake Brown (1-1).

The Quakes added a run in the second, as Darnell Sweeney tripled and later scored on Scott Wingo's sac fly, as Rancho took a commanding 6-0 lead.

Von Schamann (3-1) wasn't as sharp as his last two starts though, as he had trouble holding the lead. Stockton chipped away with one in the second and two in the third, courtesy of a Muncy homer, making it 6-3. The Ports got their final run off of Von Schamann in the fourth, as Bobby Crocker tripled home B.A. Vollmuth to make it 6-4.

Juan Noriega and Owen Jones both came up big out of the Rancho bullpen on Thursday night, as each worked a perfect inning, before turning it over to Thomas in the eighth.

Rancho's win snaps a seven-game losing streak on the road and gives them some momentum going into San Jose, as they face the league-leading Giants for a four-game series, starting on Friday. James Campbell (1-1) will make his first start of the year in the series-opener, while the Giants will counter with Chris Marlowe (1-0). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00pm on Friday night.

The Quakes (13-14) head to San Jose on Friday, finally returning to LoanMart Field to battle Inland Empire on Tuesday, May 7th. Next Tuesday night is another Healthy RC Recycle Tuesdays, as fans can bring ten CRV-eligible bottles and cans to the ballpark for a free Club Seat Ticket. Tickets are available at (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com . We hope to see you very soon at LoanMart Field. Go Quakes!

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California League Stories from May 3, 2013


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