Although the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes’ playoff hopes are still alive, their condition is critical. Playing without two of their best hitters, the Quakes fell victim to their Cal League-leading ninth shutout of the season in a 10-0 pounding by the Lancaster JetHawks (Astros) on Thursday night at the Hangar.

After escaping a scoreless first inning, Quakes starter Garrett Gould struggled with his control all night long and didn’t make it out of the 4th inning. Gould gave up 6 runs (5 earned) on 6 hits and walked 4 while striking out only one en route to his 9th loss of the season (against 4 wins) and raising his ERA to 5.64

Top Dodgers pitching prospect Garrett Gould had trouble with his control on Thursday night walking four while striking out only one.

Quakes power-hitting left fielder Jonathon Garcia sat out the night with flu-like symptoms, as did newly acquired Cuban superstar right fielder Yasiel Puig, who is battling a sore heel. Filling in for Puig in right field was Gabe Suarez, who is a second baseman by trade. Suarez struggled a little at his new and unfamiliar position allowing JetHawks catcher Carlos Perez to tag up and score from second base on a sacrifice fly by Delino DeShields Jr. (the son of former Dodger Delino DeShields, whom the Dodgers acquired in a trade for future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez – arguably one of the the worst trades in baseball history).

Although the Quakes went scoreless, they did muster 8 hits, including 3 singles by left fielder Austin Gallagher. Where they ran into trouble, however, was leaving 8 men on base and going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. The Quakes were also bitten by the double play ball as they hit into three twin killings.

Austin Gallagher went 3 for 4 on the night in the Quakes losing effort.

The Quakes currently trail the Lake Elsinore Store (Padres) by two games for the final Cal League South Wild Card spot. The Storm have lost four straight while the Quakes have dropped 5 of their last 6 games. The good news is that the Quakes begin a 7-game home stand on Friday night. The bad news is that they face the Cal League North’s best San Jose Giants (Giants) for four games followed by the Cal League South’s best High Desert Mavericks (Mariners)  for three games. The games versus the Mavs will be the first against former Quake and star left fielder Leon Landry, who was traded to the Seattle Mariners organization as part of the deal for reliever Brandon League. Needless to say, the Quakes have their collective backs to the wall and must have an exceptional home stand (plus some help from teams playing the JetHawks and Storm) for their playoff hopes to remain alive – a tough but do-able task.