The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes’ record-setting nine-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday evening when they fell to the Jethawks 6-5 in front of a near sellout crowd at The Hangar in Lancaster.

Even though the Quakes got on the board quickly with a first-inning solo home run by second baseman Brandon Dixon, they were then held scoreless through the fifth inning by Jethawks right-handers Lance McCullers and Kyle Westwood, both of whom pitched exceptionally well. In fact, aside from the Dixon wind-aided home run, McCullers, who was on an innings limit, struck out all six of the other Quakes batters he faced.

Brandon Dixon hit his ninth home run of the season on Saturday evening. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Westwood relieved McCullers in the third inning and continued to dominate the Quakes allowing only one run on five hits while striking out two and walking one.

“He’s going to be a big league pitcher,” said Quakes right-hander Lindsey Caughel of Westwood. “He hits 97 [MPH] and is the best pitcher in the Cal League right now.” Pretty good accolades coming from a guy who himself is a very good pitcher and who picked up the win for the Quakes on Friday night.

Quakes starter Lindsey Caughel calls JetHawks right-hander Kyle Westwood “the best pitcher in the Cal League.” (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Quakes starter Fabio Martinez didn’t fair as well on the mound on Saturday. In his four innings of work Martinez gave up four runs on five hits. And even thought the hard-throwing right-hander managed to strike out three, he walked five, hit a batter and uncorked two wild pitches.

Quakes right-hander Fabio Martinez struggled with his control and spent most of  the evening pitching from the stretch. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

After scoring a run in the seventh inning to make it 5-2, the Quakes loaded the bases with one out. But just when it appeared that the Quakes might break the game wide open with their best hitter at the plate in Corey Seager, JetHawks shortstop Jack Mayfield made a dazzling play on Seager’s hard-hit ball up the middle, stepped on second base for the force out and threw home to nail a sliding Rob Garvey at the plate to end the inning. Although it appeared that Garvey had beat the tag, he was called out by home plate umpire Reid Gibbs.

The Quakes scored two more runs in the top of the eighth on Steve Proscia’s two-run home run to left. They kept their hopes of extending their winning streak alive when they had the tying run on second base in the top of the ninth with two outs, but Quakes designated hitter Chris Jacobs stuck out swinging to end the game and the streak.

The Quakes maintain their first place lead over the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) in the Cal League South second half standings, but that lead is now four games as the Storm won their game over the High Desert Mavericks (Mariners) on Saturday night. The Storm will be in town for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday evening at LoanMart Field.

The JetHawks and Quakes go at it again on Sunday at 5 PM in Lancaster for game three of the four-game series. The Quakes will send right-hander Jharel Cotton (2-5, 6.37 ERA) to the mound to face JetHawks right-hander Matt Heidenreich (2-2, 4.63 ERA).