CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Quakes Even Championship Series After 4-2 Win

Published on September 18, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release


San Jose, CA - The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes forged a split at San Jose Municipal Stadium on Friday night, as they came up with a 4-2 win over the Giants. The victory knots up the Best-of-5 California League Championship Series at one win apiece.

Garrett Richards (1-1) turned in one of his best performances of his career, holding the San Jose offense to just a single run on only two hits over seven innings, striking out eight in the process.

The Quakes now return home to The Epicenter with some momentum, needing wins in two of the next three games to clinch their first Cal League Title since 1994.

Jon Townsend, making his first start of the Championship Series, had a huge game, finishing 3-for-4 with two RBIs in helping the Quakes get on the board for the first time in the series.

Townsend's RBI double in the second, plated Dillon Baird, giving the Quakes their first lead at 1-0.

Richards made just one mistake on Friday night, as he surrendered a game-tying home run to Johnny Monell to lead off the bottom of the second inning, as the Giants evened the game at 1-1.

Townsend struck again in the fourth, putting the Quakes ahead to stay for good, as his solo homer off of Giants' starter Kelvin Marte (0-1) made it a 2-1 game.

Baird drove home a run in the sixth, as he singled home Luis Jimenez to give the Quakes a 3-1 advantage.

Jimenez gave the Quakes even more insurance in the seventh, as his two-out single brought home Alberto Rosario for a 4-1 lead.

Richards finished the seventh by striking out the side, then gave the ball to reliever Jose Perez, who worked a 1-2-3 eighth, striking out two of the three hitters he faced.

Closer Eddie McKiernan entered in the ninth, attempting to convert his first post-season save. McKiernan retired the first two hitters, but was burned by a red-hot Monell, who homered again. His third blast in two games in this Championship Series made it a 4-2 game. Unfazed, McKiernan rallied to strike out Charlie Culberson to end the game, picking up his 29th save of the year, but first of the Playoffs.

Ryan Chaffee (1-0) looks to bring the Quakes one step closer to just their second title in franchise history, as he'll make his second post-season start. The Giants will go with Kyle Woodruff (1-0), as he gets the nod in Game 3.

Saturday's game at The Epicenter will feature $1 Hot Dogs, as everyone will enjoy "dollar dogs" throughout the night. Gates open at 6:05pm and game time is 7:05pm at The Epicenter.

With a win on Friday night, the Quakes are assured of playing in Game 4 of the Championship Series on Sunday at The Epicenter at 5:05pm.

Tickets for the Championship Series at The Epicenter are available on Saturday morning, by calling (909) 481-5000 or by stopping by The Epicenter Ticket Office. Playoff Ticket Packages are also available online at rcquakes.com.

Come support your Quakes, as they look for their first Cal League Title since 1994. Thanks for a great regular season. We hope to see you for the 2010 California League Playoffs...Go Quakes!

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California League Stories from September 18, 2010


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