CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Rios Powers Quakes Past Ports

Published on July 1, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release


Rancho Cucamonga, CA - The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes relied on the long ball on Thursday night, as they defeated the Stockton Ports, 5-4, in game one of the four-game series at LoanMart Field.

Matt Beaty hit one home run, and Edwin Rios added two of his own, including the game-winner, to pace Rancho's offense in the win. Quakes starter Tommy Bergjans tossed a six-inning gem, although he received the no-decision.

The Quakes teed off on Ports starter Matt Stalcup for two runs in the first.

Erick Mejia reached to open the inning on an error by the third baseman, allowing Beaty to hit with two out. Beaty launched a two-run shot to right field, his fourth of the season, to make it 2-0 Quakes.

Rancho Cucamonga added another run in the fourth inning. Rios hit a line drive that just snuck over the right field fence for a solo home run, his fifth of the season, to make it 3-0 Rancho Cucamonga.

The game stayed that way until the bottom of the seventh, when Rancho tacked on one more. Michael Ahmed singled to lead off the inning, and advanced to third base after a wild pitch and an error by the catcher Argenis Raga. Devan Ahart followed with a single back up the middle, bringing home Ahmed and extending the Quakes lead to 4-0.

However, the Stockton Ports came back with a four-run eighth inning to tie the game. After a walk and two singles to load the bases with nobody out, Bubby Rossman was removed in favor of Jeff Malm. Malm immediately allowed a single to James Harris, which made the game 4-1. The next hitter, Richie Martin, hit a sacrifice fly to right field, and after Ahmed cut off the relay home, he threw the ball away trying to get the lead runner at third base. The throw went up the left field line and allowed another run to score, making it a 4-3 ballgame. B.J. Boyd then singled to left to bring home the tying run, making it 4-4 after seven-and-a-half innings.

The Ports' rally was short-lived.

Rios led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a solo home run, his second of the game, to make it a 5-4 contest, and that proved to be the winning run. Malm threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure the victory.

Bergjans went six innings, and allowed just two base runners on one hit and one walk. He stuck out five in arguably his best-pitched game of the season. Rossman was roughed up for all four earned runs that Stockton scored on four hits in his 1.1 innings of work. Malm (1-0) finished the game by pitching 1.2 innings of scoreless ball, earning the win, although he allowed three of Rossman's inherited runs to score.

Stalcup went the first five innings for Stockton. He allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits, receiving the no-decision. Joey Wagman (2-4) was charged with the loss after he allowed two earned runs on five hits. He allowed the game-winning home run to Rios.

The Quakes (4-4) improve to .500 in the second half, and 46-32 overall. The Ports drop to 3-5 in the second half and 30-48 overall.

The Quakes four-game home stand continues against Stockton on Friday in game two of the series. The Ports will send left-hander Zack Erwin (3-7, 5.35 ERA) to the mound, while the Quakes will send right-hander Grant Holmes (6-3, 3.24) to the hill.

?Friday is U.S. Bank Hat Giveaway night! 1,500 fans will take home a FREE Quakes hat, thanks to U.S. Bank. Tickets are available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. Gates open at 6:05 p.m., with first pitch at 7:05 p.m.

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California League Stories from July 1, 2016


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