CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Quakes Give Away Game 1 to Storm

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


The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes struggled in the opening game of the best-of-five series in Lake Elsinore, as the Storm shut out the Quakes 5-0, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

The Quakes struggled in every facet of the game, as the defense committed a season-high seven errors. The pitching staff walked eight hitters and the offense was held to just four hits, in getting blanked for the fourth time this year.

Quakes' starter Garrett Richards (0-1) wasn't terribly effective, but the defense played poorly around him.

The Storm got to Richards for a run in the first, as Daniel Robertson and Cole Figueroa opened the game with back-to-back singles. A fly ball to center field from Cody Decker moved Robertson to third with one out. With runners at the corners, Vince Belnome hit a ground ball to shortstop Darwin Perez, who couldn't handle the high-hopper. Robertson scored on the play to put the Storm in the lead at 1-0.

In the second, Richards walked three batters and was forced to pitch around another error, which led to an unearned run. Robertson's fielder's choice scored Bo Davis, making it 2-0.

Thing went from bad to worse in the fourth. Richards walked Brad Chalk to open the inning, bringing up Robertson, who layed down a sacrifice bunt. Richards fielded the bunt, but sailed his throw to first down the right-field line. On the play, Chalk scored all the way from first to make it 3-0. Quakes' right fielder Angel Castillo, trying to throw Chalk out at the plate, bounced his throw past catcher Alberto Rosario, allowing Robertson to score to make it 4-0.

The Storm added their final run in the eighth, an unearned run against Matt Oye. Robertson and Figueroa both reached via a Quake error, their sixth and seventh of the night, respectively. Belnome's RBI single plated Robertson to cap the scoring at 5-0.

The Quakes' offense never threatened, as they had just two runners reach scoring position all night.

Storm starter Chris Young (1-0), down from the San Diego Padres as part of a major league rehab assignment, fired 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and one walk.

Anthony Bass, normally a starter, followed Young with two outs and a man aboard in the sixth. Bass fanned Gabe Jacobo to end the sixth and allowed just one hit, a Jacobo ninth-inning single, over his 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, earning the save.

The Quakes will get a big-leaguer of their own on Sunday in game two of the series, as Joel Piniero will start for the Quakes. Piniero, who's suffering from a strained left oblique, will take on Lake Elsinore left-hander Juan Oramas (7-3) at 5:05pm.

Don't forget that the Quakes will return to The Epicenter on Monday at 7:05pm, for game three in the best-of-five series. Everyone will enjoy $1 Hot Dogs on Monday night, thanks to AM 1510 The SPA.

Tickets for Monday's playoff game 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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