CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Quakes Whip Mavs to Split Series in HD

Published on August 14, 2015 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release


ADELANTO, CA - Rancho Cucamonga closed its season-long eight-game road trip on a positive note, defeating High Desert 8-2 on Thursday night at Heritage Field to earn a split in the four-game series.

The Quakes (23-23, 64-52) trailed 2-0 when they made their move against Mavericks' starter Richelson Pena (9-8) in the fourth inning. Johan Mieses hit a leadoff double to the left field corner. Brandon Dixon tripled to right-center, scoring Mieses. Cody Bellinger followed with a single up the middle, plating Dixon. Jacob Scavuzzo walked, setting up runners at first and second. Tyler Ogle singled to left field, with Bellinger hustling home to give his club a 3-2 edge. The Quakes sent nine men to the plate in that inning.

Rancho Cucamonga took advantage of some sloppy defense to pad their lead in the fifth. Bellinger drew a two-out walk from Pena. Scavuzzo doubled off the left field wall, placing runners at second and third. With Felix Carvallo summoned from the bullpen from High Desert, Paul Hoenecke's grounder to third resulted in an error by Tripp Martin, allowing Bellinger to score. Ogle, the very next batter, stroked a grounder to third that was misplayed by Martin again as Scavuzzo came home for a 5-2 margin.

High Desert (24-20, 61-53) grabbed the initial upper-hand against Quakes' starter Pablo Fernandez (2-0) in the second inning. Ronald Guzman crushed a solo homer to right field for his sixth of the season to get his team on the board first. Kevin Torres continued the rally with a double to left field. Martin walked and Alberto Triunfel singled to load the bases. With two outs, Isiah Kiner-Falefa reached on an infield single, chasing Torres home to provide his team with a 2-0 head start.

After that hiccup, Fernandez settled down. The Cuban-born right-hander pitched five innings, allowing two runs, seven hits, a walk and a hit batter while striking out five to remain undefeated at the High-A level.

The Quakes provided Fernandez with an insurance run in the seventh against Carvallo. Dixon drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a balk by the left-hander. Scavuzzo singled to center field, plating Dixon for a 6-2 cushion.

Rancho Cucamonga added the exclamation point in the top of the ninth against reliever Dakota Watts. Mieses worked out a walk to open the inning. Bellinger clubbed a two-run homer to right-center for his 26th of the season, tying him with Bakersfield's Tyler O'Neill for the California League lead while giving the Quakes an 8-2 lead.

The Quakes' bullpen was outstanding on Thursday, allowing just one hit and one walk to the Mavericks over the course of four innings. Michael Johnson pitched two scoreless frames, A.J. Vanegas tossed a scoreless inning and Karch Kowalczyk worked a perfect ninth to preserve the victory.

Rancho Cucamonga closed out its road trip to Stockton and High Desert with a 3-5 mark, improving to 29-30 away from LoanMart Field this season.

The Quakes return to LoanMart Field to face Lake Elsinore on Friday night as they begin a six-game homestand. Rancho Cucamonga will send right-hander Chase De Jong (2-2, 2.79 ERA) to the mound, while the Storm counter with right-hander Michael Kelly (0-1, 6.00 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. If you can't make it to the ballpark, you can follow all the action on FOX Sports 1350 AM, beginning with the LoanMart Pregame Show at 6:50.

The series opener against Lake Elsinore will be a Family RV $1 Family Feast Night, featuring $1 hot dogs, 12-ounce Pepsi products and ice cream sandwiches, courtesy of Family RV! Tickets for all remaining Quakes' home games are available at rcquakes.com or by calling (909) 481-5000.

Check out the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Statistics

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California League Stories from August 14, 2015


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