CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Quakes Even Series at 1-1; Return to Epicenter on Monday

Published on September 13, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release


Lake Elsinore, CA - Rehabbing right-hander Joel Piniero gave the Quakes six solid innings on Sunday night, helping Rancho Cucamonga defeat the Lake Elsinore Storm 7-5, evening the best-of-five series at one win apiece.

Piniero, who's been on the Angels' DL since late-July with a strained left oblique, got the game-two start and carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning.

The Quakes, held without a run for the first 12 innings of the current series, finally got on the board with three in the fourth inning, as five consecutive Quakes' hitters reached with two-out hits. Dillon Baird got the rally started against Storm starter Juan Oramas, doubling to left-center field. Angel Castillo followed with a run-scoring single, putting the Quakes in front for good at 1-0. After Eric Oliver singled, Jon Townsend blooped an RBI single into center field, scoring Castillo to make it 2-0. Darwin Perez capped the frame with a run-scoring single, plating Oliver to give the Quakes a 3-0 advantage.

Townsend added to the Quakes' lead in the sixth, as his sac fly scored Castillo for a 4-0 advantage.

Piniero's no-hit bid was over just one batter into the sixth, as Jesus Lopez doubled down the left-field line to open the inning. Two batters later, Brad Chalk doubled off the glove of left fielder Eric Oliver, scoring Lopez to make it 4-1. After a single by Daniel Robertson, Cole Figueroa brought home Chalk with a sac fly, cutting the Quakes' lead in half at 4-2. Piniero got out of the inning and finished his night after 68 pitches, by retiring Cody Decker and leaving the tying run at the plate.

Leading 4-2 in the ninth, Perez opened the inning with just his third homer of the year and first of the post-season, a solo shot to right field off Nick Vincent for a 5-2 lead. Mike Trout followed with a triple, then later scored on a Gabe Jacobo triple, putting the Quakes up 6-2. Dillon Baird capped the three-run inning with a run-scoring double, as he knocked in Alberto Rosario to make it 7-2.

The Quakes needed that extra insurance in the ninth, as closer Eddie McKiernan struggled in the bottom of the inning. Coming on in a non-save situation, McKiernan walked the lead-off man, then gave up a single to Ali Solis. With two aboard, Allan Dykstra crushed a three-run shot to right-center field, bringing the Storm to within two at 7-5. McKiernan settled down and retired the next three hitters though, securing the win and guaranteeing a game four on Tuesday night at The Epicenter.

The Quakes look to take their first lead in the series on Monday night, as Ryan Chaffee (7-6) will make his first start of the post-season, as he takes on Jeremy McBryde. Fans at The Epicenter on Monday night will enjoy $1 Dollar Hot Dogs all evening long, thanks to our friends at The SPA. Game time is 7:05pm on Monday night and gates open at 6:05pm. With Sunday's win, the Quakes will also host game four at The Epicenter on Tuesday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm.

Tickets for both Monday and Tuesday's playoff games at The Epicenter are available on Monday 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 13, 2010


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