CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Quakes' Lead Down to One with Four to Go

Published on June 18, 2015 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release


RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA - Rancho Cucamonga had its South Division lead cut in half on Wednesday night, thanks in part to an 11-1 setback against High Desert in the series finale at LoanMart Field.

The loss, coupled with Lancaster's 14-6 victory over Visalia on Wednesday, leaves the Quakes' magic number for a first-half division title stalled at four. They cling to first place by one game over the JetHawks with four remaining until the All-Star Break.

High Desert (34-31) busted out offensively against right-hander and originally-scheduled Quakes' starter Jeff Brigham (2-3) in the top of the second inning. Zach Cone singled to open the inning and stole second base. Ronald Guzman singled to left, placing runners at the corners. Cone scored on Juremi Profar's groundout for the first run of the game. Kevin Torres doubled down the left field line, chasing Guzman home. Luis Marte followed with a single up the middle, plating Torres. Lewis Brinson walked. Royce Bolinger's base-hit to right scored Marte, giving the visitors a 4-0 lead.

Rancho Cucamonga (38-28) scratched across its only run in the third inning against Mavericks' starter Richelson Pena (5-4). Austin Chubb reached on an error by third baseman Ryan Cordell. Trinkwon's grounder to short resulted in an error by Luis Marte, placing runners at the corners. Dillon Moyer's sacrifice fly to right field chased Chubb home, trimming the deficit to 4-1.

High Desert responded in the top of the fourth against Brigham. Torres opened the inning with a single. Marte grounded into a fielder's choice and stole second base. Brinson's single to center field plated Marte, making it a 5-1 contest.

Pena, meanwhile, was cruising on the mound. The Mavericks' right-hander allowed an unearned run, two hits and two walks over six innings while striking out five Quakes' batters. The 21-year-old has now won five of his last six decisions.

High Desert padded its advantage in the seventh inning against reliever Luis De Paula. Cordell opened the frame with a single before back-to-back walks to Alex Burg and Cone loaded the bases. Guzman's single to right field scored Cordell and Burg. Profar grounded into a double play, but Cone trotted across the plate for another run. Torres walked, forcing De Paula from the game in favor of right-hander Rob Rogers. Marte doubled to the left field corner, chasing Torres home for a 9-1 edge.

The Mavericks tacked on two more insurance runs in the ninth against Rogers. Guzman and Profar singled, placing runners at the corners. Guzman scored on Torres' RBI groundout. Marte doubled to right field, plating Profar for an 11-1 cushion.

Dodgers' left-hander Paco Rodriguez started on the mound for the Quakes. In his second rehab appearance with Rancho Cucamonga, the 24-year-old allowed one hit while striking out two in a scoreless inning. Rodriguez has been on the disabled list since June 2nd with a left elbow injury.

The Quakes fall to 25-10 at LoanMart Field this season. Despite a 3-4 homestand against Stockton and High Desert, Rancho Cucamonga still owns the best home record in the California League.

The Quakes will hit the road to try and secure a first-half postseason spot, beginning a four-game series at Visalia on Thursday night. Rancho Cucamonga will send right-hander Zack Bird (2-3, 5.22 ERA) to the mound, while the North Division champion Rawhide counter with lefty Anthony Banda (5-4, 4.08 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm. You can catch all the action on FOX Sports 1350 AM, beginning with the LoanMart Pregame Show at 6:45.

The California-Carolina League All-Star Game, presented by WaBa Grill, comes to LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday, June 23rd! Tickets for this special event, which includes the U.S. Bank Home Run Derby, are available at (909) 481-5000 or at rcquakes.com. Meanwhile, the Quakes return home on Tuesday, June 30th against High Desert.

Check out the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Statistics

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California League Stories from June 18, 2015


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