Although most of the focus at the start of Sunday’s Rancho Cucamonga Quakes vs. High Desert Mavericks (Mariners) game was on rehabbing Dodgers Mark Ellis and Javy Guerra, it quickly shifted when Dodgers top outfielding prospect Joc Pederson stole the show by hitting a Quakes franchise record tying three home runs as the Quakes crushed the Mavs 17-4 while collecting a season-high 22 hits. In what was clearly Pederson’s career game (thus far), he narrowly missed hitting what would have been a Cal League record-tying fourth home run in the 7th inning when he sent Mavs left fielder Mickey Wiswall to the left field wall on a deep opposite field shot. With his back to the wall, Wiswall mishandled Pederson’s drive for a two base error. Pederson ended the night going 3 for 6 with 4 RBIs, 4 runs scored and 12 total bases. Pederson was the Dodgers’ 11th round pick in the 2010 First Year Player Draft and is currently ranked 3rd on the Dodgers’ prospect chart.

Joc Pederson steps on home plate after hitting his second home run of the game. Little did he know at the time but he would hit yet another home run to tie a Quakes franchise record. He later just missed what would have been a Cal League-tying record fourth home run on an opposite field shot to left.

Making his second rehab start in as many nights, Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis had a good game on both sides of the ball going 1 for 3 at the plate with an RBI single and making several excellent defensive plays during his five innings at second base. Ellis is scheduled to be stretched out to seven innings of work over the next two rehab games and is on track to be reactivated from the DL on Thursday when the Dodgers travel to Arizona for a 4-game series with the D-Backs.

Rehabbing Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis made several excellent defensive plays.

“My leg feels great,” said the visibly cheerful Ellis. “Going first to home last night (on a C.J. Retherford double) was a huge test for me and I felt no pain or discomfort from it at all. I’ll be ready to join the (Dodgers) on Thursday,” Ellis added.

Ellis signs autographs for young fans before Sunday’s game. It is easy to see why Mark is very popular with fans and teammates alike.

Making his first rehab start since having arthroscopic surgery for a small tear in his right MCL, Javy Guerra pitched the first inning allowing a lead off double to Mavericks shortstop Brad Miller. Guerra retired the next three batters in order with Miller advancing to third on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Jonathan Garcia and scoring on a ground out to shortstop Alexis Aguilar. Guerra is expected to make one more rehab start today and will most likely be reactivated from the DL shortly thereafter.

Although overshadowed by Pederson’s big night, Quakes designated hitter Bobby Coyle went 5 for 5 with a home run, 2 RBIs, and 4 runs scored. Since his promotion from the Great Lake Loons last month, the Southern California (Chatsworth) native is hitting an incredible .411 (30 for 73) with an equally incredible .449 OBP. Coyle, who was drafted one round ahead of Pederson, was a standout outfielder at Fresno State.

In what has become almost a nightly occurrence, Quakes third baseman and Cal League All-Star C.J. Retherford continued his hot hitting going 2 for 4 on the night with a triple and 2 RBIs. Retherford is now hitting .368 on the season with a .425 OBP and leads the Quakes with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs.

It is now confirmed that Dodgers All-Star center fielder Matt Kemp will make a rehab start as the designated hitter for the Quakes on Tuesday night, July 3 at the Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter. Kemp, who is recovering from a serious hamstring injury, and 2011 Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw were selected to their second consecutive All-Star Games on Sunday. Kemp has indicated that he (probably) will not play in the All-Star Game but he will definitely participate in the 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby and is the captain of the National League’s Home Run Derby team. With Kemp joining an already powerful Quakes line-up, Tuesday nights game against the Mavericks could be yet another high-scoring affair.

Needless to say, the sold out Epicenter will be rocking (pun intended) on Tuesday night when Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp will be making a rehab DH start as a tune up for the 2012 Home Run Derby to be held on July 9 in Kansas City. According to the Quakes website, there are still a few “View” seats available for Tuesday nights game but they will be gone soon, if not already. (Promo photo courtesy of rcquakes.com)