Quakes Win Fourth Straight, Take over Wild Card
Published on August 29, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release
Rancho Cucamonga, CA - A strong pitching performance by Garrett Gould and Yasiel Puig's first home run of the season earned the Quakes a 4-2 victory over the High Desert Mavericks.
Their fourth straight win at The Epicenter moves the Quakes past Lake Elsinore and into sole possession of the Wild Card, thanks to the Storm's 7-4 loss on Tuesday night to San Jose.
High Desert got on the board first on Tuesday night, thanks to a solo-shot from second baseman Steven Proscia. But the long ball that has stung Quakes' starter Garrett Gould many times this year (11 in his last 50 innings and 18 on the season) didn't affect him on Monday as he rebounded to get former Quake Leon Landry and catcher John Hicks out of the opening frame with limited damage.
Rancho bounced back in the bottom half of the first with a home run from Yasiel Puig, his first in Rancho Cucamonga and fifth on United States soil, tying the score at 1-1. The Cuban outfielder knocked four in nine games with the Arizona League Dodgers before joining the Quakes.
The Quakes took the lead for good in the second and never looked back, scoring a run in both the second and the third, thanks to multi-hit nights for Puig, Austin Gallagher and Pedro Baez, who combined to go 8-for-12 with three RBIs.
Tuesday's start was the first time Gould (5-9) gave up less than three earned runs since a July 9th start against San Jose. He scattered five hits over six innings while allowing just two runs (only one earned). Gould struck out four and did not issue a walk in what was arguably his best start in one of the most important games of the season.
Mavericks' starter Brett Shankin (7-3) threw well but was not able to out-duel Gould as he gave up three runs on seven hits over six and 2/3 innings. Shankin struck out seven and walked two before giving way to Andrew Kittredge, who allowed the Quakes' fourth run in the bottom of the eighth, on an RBI hit from Chris O'Brien.
Eric Eadington came into the game for the third time in four nights and is now three for three in save attempts since rejoining the Quakes on Saturday night. He has 21 saves in just 23 attempts on the season.
Wednesday night is the second game of this three-game set against the High Desert Mavericks and the penultimate regular-season home game of the season for the Quakes.
Wednesday night is Vegas night, sponsored by the Riviera Hotel and Casino, as the Quakes will be giving away certificates for two-night stays to the Riviera Hotel and Casino during every inning of Wednesday's game. Tickets to Wednesday night's game, and the Season-Finale Fireworks Spectacular on Thursday, are available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. Go Quakes!
California League Stories from August 29, 2012
- Springer Named a Post-Season All-Star - Lancaster JetHawks
- C.J. Cron Placed on Disabled List - Inland Empire 66ers
- Cal League Announces Three Storm as Post Season All-Stars - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Third Baseman Adam Duvall Named to 2012 California League Postseason All-Star Team - San Jose Giants
- Cal League Field Awards and Post Season All-Stars Announced - CalL1
- Giants Hold off Storm to Win Series Opener - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Win Fourth Straight, Take over Wild Card - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Third Straight 10-Run Home Game, Blaze Win 10-6 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Cowart Records 100th RBI, 66ers Fall 7-2 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Nash's Slam Helps Lower Magic Number - Lancaster JetHawks
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