When play began in the California League on Sunday, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes were in position to win the final Wild Card berth even before the first pitch was thrown in their game against the defending Cal League champion Lancaster Jethawks. All they needed was for the Lake Elsinore Storm to sweep a doubleheader against the High Desert Mavericks, whom they had already beaten in the first game and the games on Friday and Saturday. And just when it appeared that the Storm were going to do exactly that, Mavs second baseman Patrick Brady hit a two-run home run for a dramatic 8-7 walk-off win to split the doubleheader.

What this did was put the Quakes’ fate into their own hands. If they beat the JetHawks they were in the playoffs and if they lost, they would have to try again on Monday in the season finale against those same JetHawks – and they would have to do so with a pitcher called up from the Ogden Raptors of the short-season rookie league because their scheduled starter, Gustavo Gomez, was scratched for a shoulder injury.

But after an exciting seesaw battle, the Quakes themselves enjoyed an exciting walk-off win to beat the mighty JetHawks in 10 innings on a one-out single by catcher Chris O’Brien scoring Noel Cuevas from third base. Cuevas had doubled off the center field wall to lead off the inning and advanced to third base on a key infield ground out to first base by top Dodger prospect Corey Seager to set the stage for O’Brien’s game winner.

Chris O’Brien’s clutch single in the bottom of the 10th inning not only gave the Quakes the 2-1 walk-off win, it also earned them a trip to the Cal League playoffs, which begin on Wednesday.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Although both starting pitchers, Vincent Velasquez for the JetHawks and Lindsey Caughel for the Quakes, pitched exceptionally well, neither would figure in the decision. Quakes right-hander Craig Stem pitched a scoreless 10th inning to pick up the win, his second of the season against one loss, and JetHawks right-hander Travis Ballew suffered the loss to go 4-4 on the season.

Even though Monday afternoon’s game is now meaningless as far as the playoffs are concerned, it will undoubtedly be an exciting day for 21-year-old Monclova, Mexico native Francisco Villa, who will be making his first start above rookie ball. Villa is 3-5 with the Raptors with a 4.35 ERA. He has walked 26 while striking out 48 in his 62 innings of work. The JetHawks will counter with right-hander Aaron West, who is 9-8 on the season with a 5.47 ERA.

Monday’s season finale at LoanMart Field has a 2:05 PM start time and can be heard on-line on the Quakes Radio network.