Quakes One Better Than 66ers, Win 3-2
Published on July 22, 2006 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release
SAN BERNARDINO-Francisco Rodriguez turned in a quality start and a three-run rally in the third was just enough as Rancho Cucamonga hung on for a 3-2 win over Inland Empire before 3,891 fans at Arrowhead Credit Union Park Friday night. The Quakes improved to 12-16 in the second half and 44-54 overall, while the 66ers fell to 13-13 and 52-44. Rancho Cucamonga has won 10 of the last 12 games between these two teams.
Josh LeBlanc led off the decisive inning with a sharp single to right, and Nate Sutton was then awarded first base on catcher's interference on an 0-2 pitch to give the Quakes runners at first and second with no one out. Manager Bobby Mitchell then put both runners in motion on a 3-2 pitch to Freddy Sandoval, and Sandoval came through with a two-run double down the left field line to give the Quakes a 2-0 lead. After Sandoval stole third base and Sean Rodriguez walked, Pat Reilly delivered a sacrifice fly to right to make it 3-0.
Inland Empire came back with a run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI fielder's choice by Luis Valbuena, and then drew within a run at 3-2 on Reed Eastley's two-out RBI single in the fifth. Eastley was left stranded at third however, and the Quakes then bullpen then got seven huge outs to finish the game, although not without some tense moments.
The intrigue started when reliever Brad Beck threw a pickoff attempt past Reilly at first base with two away in the bottom of the seventh, but Valbuena over-slid third base trying to advance from first and was tagged out by Sandoval to end the inning. Beck then walked the leadoff man in the eighth before Aaron Pullin got out of the inning while stranding runners at first and second, and closer Kevin Jepsen worked around a single and a walk in the ninth and also left men at first and second for his 13th save.
Francisco Rodriguez (3-9) delivered his seventh quality start of the year, working in to the seventh and allowing just two runs (one earned) and four hits in 6.2 innings. He walked three and struck out four. Inland Empire starter Cibney Bello (4-5) also turned in a quality start, but took the loss by allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out five. Sean Rodriguez went 1-2 with a double and two walks to extend his hitting streak to a season-high nine games, but Nate Sutton and Drew Toussaint both went 0-3 as their hitting streaks ended at nine and seven games, respectively. LeBlanc and Tim Duff both went 2-4.
Game two in this three-game series is set for 7:11 p.m. Saturday and will be carried live on KWRM-AM 1370 and online at www.rcquakes.com. Fernando Rodriguez (7-4, 4.36 ERA) will start for the Quakes and Aaron Jensen (1-6, 7.51 ERA) is scheduled to start for Inland Empire. For more information, please call the Quakes at (909) 481-5000.
California League Stories from July 22, 2006
- Oaks Blow Past Giants and into First Place with 10-2 Win - Visalia Rawhide
- Brignac Doubles Home Winning Run in the Bottom of the Ninth - Visalia Rawhide
- JetHawks Power past Lake Elsinore - Lancaster JetHawks
- Quakes One Better Than 66ers, Win 3-2 - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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