CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Rancho Rips Inland Empire on Friday

Published on July 25, 2015 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release


SAN BERNARDINO, CA - A five-run first inning and some brilliant pitching from Chase De Jong helped lift Rancho Cucamonga to a 12-2 victory over Inland Empire at San Manuel Stadium on Friday night.

The Quakes (12-14, 53-43) wasted no time getting to 66ers' starter Jeremy Rhoades (1-1). Johan Mieses doubled down the left field line and Cody Bellinger walked to start the first-inning rally. Brandon Dixon singled to left field, scoring Mieses and advancing Bellinger to third. Paul Hoenecke's grounder to shortstop resulted in an error against Pedro Ruiz as Bellinger trotted home. Jacob Scavuzzo launched a three-run homer to right-center field for his fifth of the season, giving his club an early 5-0 cushion.

Inland Empire (12-13, 47-48) mustered its only offense in the bottom of the first against Dodgers' rehabber Chris Hatcher, who has been on the disabled list since June 17th with a left oblique strain. Bo Way doubled to center field and moved to third on a groundout. Eric Aguilera also doubled to center, plating Way. Kody Eaves delivered a two-bagger off the left field fence, chasing Aguilera home to trim the deficit to 5-2.

Rancho Cucamonga blew the game open in the third inning against Rhoades. Bellinger drew a leadoff walk before Dixon doubled to right. Scavuzzo singled to shallow left-center field, scoring Bellinger for his fourth RBI of the contest. Tyler Ogle, who was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, launched a three-run home run to left field for his 14th of the season, expanding the margin to 9-2.

Right-hander Chase De Jong (1-1), the originally scheduled starter, had his finest Quakes' performance to date. The 21-year-old from Long Beach tossed five perfect innings out of the bullpen while recording nine strikeouts. De Jong, who was acquired by the Dodgers earlier this month from the Blue Jays in a trade for international bonus pool signing slots, was rated by Baseball America as the 17th-best prospect in the Toronto system at the outset of the season.

The Quakes tacked on some additional runs in the ninth inning against 66ers' reliever Garrett Nuss. Tim Locastro was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Johan Mieses doubled to left-center field, chasing Locastro home. Bellinger singled up the middle, placing runners at the corners. Dixon, bidding for his fifth hit of the game, popped out and settled for a 4-for-5 outing. Hoenecke doubled to straightaway center field, scoring Mieses and moving Bellinger to third. A wild pitch by Nuss allowed Bellinger to come home, pushing the lead to 12-2.

Following De Jong's masterful performance, Michael Johnson pitched two scoreless innings to close the contest and improve the Quakes to 3-8 at San Manuel Stadium this season.

Rancho Cucamonga has won 12 of its last 18 road games to improve to 23-23 away from LoanMart Field in 2015. They are also a half-game behind Lancaster and Inland Empire for first place in the South Division's second-half standings.

The Quakes will continue the series with their nearby rivals on Saturday night. Rancho Cucamonga is expected to send right-hander John Richy (7-3, 3.96 ERA) to the mound, while the 66ers counter with right-hander Jordan Kipper (4-6, 4.57 ERA). First pitch from San Bernardino is slated for 7:05 pm. You can follow all the action on FOX Sports 1350 AM, beginning with the LoanMart Pregame show at 6:50.

The Quakes return to LoanMart Field on Thursday, July 30th to begin a four-game series against Lake Elsinore! The series opener is a Slater's 50/50 Thirsty Thursday, featuring 24-ounce Pepsi products for $2, 16-ounce domestic drafts for $3 and 16-ounce premium drafts, wine, champagne and margaritas for just $4, thanks to Slater's 50/50! Tickets for all remaining Quakes' home games are available at rcquakes.com or by calling (909) 481-5000. We hope to see you very soon at LoanMart Field...Go Quakes!

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California League Stories from July 25, 2015


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