CalL1 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Wong Homers Twice in Sunday Loss to Storm

April 23, 2018 - California League (CalL1)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes News Release


Rancho Cucamonga, CA- In a contest that Rancho Cucamonga never led, a late ninth-inning rally fell just short on Sunday afternoon, as the Storm defeated the Quakes by a 8-6 final to split the four-game home series.

Trailing 8-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Rancho quickly cut into the Lake Elsinore lead and advanced the potential tying run to second with no outs in the inning.

Saige Jenco and Gavin Lux opened the bottom of the ninth with a walk and a single, setting the stage for Omar Estevez to drive home Jenco on an RBI double, cutting the deficit to 8-5. The following hitter, Cristian Santana, was given a free pass to first and the bases were loaded for Connor Wong.

Wong, who had already homered twice in the game, delivered with an RBI single, scoring Lux to put Rancho within two, down just 8-6. The bases remained loaded with no outs in the ninth, and with the tying run on second, Storm reliever Elliot Ashbeck coaxed a fielder's choice, a strikeout and a fly out to end the game, securing the victory and his first save.

The Storm jumped to an early lead on Quakes' starting pitcher Jordan Sheffield, striking for three runs in the first inning.

Catcher Luis Torrens opened the scoring with a two-RBI triple and was then brought home on an infield groundout by Rudy Giron. Sheffield (0-2) lasted 3.1 innings and allowed six runs on seven hits in his second loss of the season.

The Quakes responded with two runs in the home-half of the first. Wong, who missed the prior three games due to an injury, smashed a two-run home run, his seventh on the season, to bring Rancho back within one. Wong finished the game 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI's.

Lake Elsinore starting pitcher Emmanuel Ramirez would settle in however, not allowing a hit in innings three, four and five. Rancho would finally chase Ramirez out of the game in the sixth inning with back-to-back solo home runs from Wong (8) and Rylan Bannon (5) to make it a 6-4 Storm lead. Ramirez (2-0) exited after 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits en route to his second win of the year.

Following a day off on Monday, the Quakes return to LoanMart Field on Tuesday evening for the start of a three game series with the Stockton Ports. The Quakes were last swept on the road by Stockton, in the opening road trip of 2018. Right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin (0-0, 5.23 ERA) is scheduled to start on the mound for the Quakes and he will be opposed by left-hander Jesus Luzardo (2-1, 1.23 ERA).

Tuesday night is Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday, as fans that bring ten CRV-eligible bottles or cans to the ticket office can get a FREE Club Seat Ticket. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM from LoanMart field. Tickets for Tuesday's game are available at rcquakes.com or by calling (909)-481-5000.

Check out the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Statistics



California League Stories from April 23, 2018


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