April 21st, 2015 at 7:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Although most Dodger fans are well aware that the Dodgers have won seven straight games, their longest winning streak since August 7-17, 2013 when they won 10 in a row, they may not be aware that there is another Dodgers team on a winning streak – the Dodgers Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, who picked up their sixth straight win on Monday night against the defending California League Champion Lancaster JetHawks (Astros).
The Quakes, who began their streak on April 15 against their archrival Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) in the final game of a season-opening seven-game road trip, swept the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) in four games at LoanMart field and took Monday night’s three-game series opener against the JetHawks.
Although the Quakes offense has been off the charts over the past two weeks averaging 6.6 runs per game, it’s their pitching that is capturing most of the attention. And while their starting rotation, led by top pitching prospects Jose De Leon and Zachary Bird, has a collective ERA of 4.05, it’s the Quakes bullpen that is stealing the show with a combined ERA of 1.36. In fact, three of the Quakes seven relievers have yet to allow an earned run – Randy Fontanez (in 6.2 innings pitched), Ramon Benjamin (in 6.0 IP) and Jacob Rhame (in 5.0 IP).
Through 6.2 innings of work, Randy Fontanez has yet to allow an earned run out of the Quakes bullpen. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
The hottest bat on the team belongs to Quakes catcher Kyle Farmer who is 14 for 36 (.389) with one home run, four doubles, a triple and nine RBIs. He is followed closely by Brandon Trinkwon (.353), Devan Ahart (.333) and Joey Curletta (.318). Quakes first baseman Tyler Ogle leads the team in home runs with two while Curletta is running away from the pack with his eight doubles. Third baseman Jarek Cunningham leads the team with his 12 RBIs – three more than Farmer.
Kyle Farmer is off to a hot start with his team-leading .389 batting average.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
With their six straight wins, the Quakes are now 9-3 on the season and have a two-game lead over the second place 66ers in the Cal League South Division.
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I was just thinking the other day, I sure hope we as Dodger fans don’t see a decline such as the Yankees fans have seen in recent years. But when one sees how stocked our minor league system is, it is reassuring to know that the big club will be fine for years to come.
What’s absolutely amazing is that the entire Dodgers farm system is loaded with talent – from Low-A through Triple-A – and the two rookie league teams haven’t even started yet.
Obviously, some of these kids will be traded to acquire some major league talent but because of the depth that the organization has assembled, every one of the Dodgers minor league teams will be competitive this year.