The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes extended their winning streak to a season-high eight games at the Epicenter on Monday night against the Lancaster JetHawks to take over sole possession of first place in the Cal League South Division in what was unquestionably their most exciting victory of the season.

Quakes starter Garrett Gould pitched brilliantly over his six innings of work allowing one run on only two hits while walking one and striking out six. Gould handed the ball and a slim 2-1 lead over to Quakes reliever Steve Smith who pitched a scoreless 7th but fell apart in the 8th allowing three runs on three hits without recording an out. It was Smith’s first blown save of the season and things look rather grim for the Quakes as regular closer Eric Eadington replaced Smith and retired the side, but not before giving up a single which allowed two runs to score, both of which were charged to Smith. Ryan Acosta relieved Eadington and pitched a scoreless 9th.

With their backs to the wall and down 4-2 in the bottom of the 9th, the JetHawks sent right-hander Jason Chowning too the mound. Chowning quickly struck out Quakes first baseman Chris Jacobs but recently promoted catcher Steve Domecus lined a single to left off of the glove of Jethawks third baseman Jonathan Meyer. Quakes manager Juan Bustabad opted to pinch hit the hot-hitting Bobby Coyle for shortstop Charlie Mirabal, a decision that proved brilliant as Coyle doubled to right scoring Domecus. The speedy Casio Grider came in to pinch run for Coyle and scored the tying run on a single to center by Leon Landry.

With the score now tied at 4-4 and the winning run on second base, JetHawks manager Rodney Linares replaced Chowning with his regular right-handed closer Kirk Clark, who immediately gave up a single to Joc Pederson sending Landry to third base with only one out. This brought C. J. Retherford to the plate with the winning run 90 feet away. Retherford, who just so happens to be the hottest hitter in the Cal League during the past week and who was named to the Cal League All-Star team earlier in the day, was intentionally walked, moving the meaningless runner Pederson to second base and bringing the equally hot hitting Michael Pericht to the plate. Pericht delivered the walk-off single to left scoring Landry and giving the Quakes their eighth straight win and moving them into sole possession of first place over the Lake Elsinore Storm, who were beaten earlier in the evening by the High Desert Mavericks.

Quakes DH Michael Pericht knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Quakes a 5-4 win over the Lancaster JetHawks and sole possession of first place in the Cal League South Division.

The Quakes have absolutely zero room to celebrate right now, as they have two more crucial games against the Jethawks at home and then hit the road for their final three games of the first half against Mavs. With only five games remaining, here’s what the Cal League South Division standings look like: