The Dodgers Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes pulled off what can only be described as a miracle win over the High Desert Mavericks (Rangers) on Wednesday night at LoanMart Field to advance to the 2015 California League Championship Series, which begins this evening – also at LoanMart Field.

The Quakes celebrate their miraculous come-from-behind walk-off win over the High Desert Mavericks to advance to the 2015 California League Championship Series. (Photo credit – Mark Klopping)

After jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead over the Mavericks on a sacrifice fly by right fielder Joey Curletta followed by back-to-back jacks by second baseman Willie Calhoun and catcher Spencer Navin in the second inning, the Quakes could muster only one more run in the fourth inning on an RBI ground out by Navin. But as they have done all season long, the Mavs countered with two runs in the fourth and three runs in the fifth to take a 5-4 lead.

The Mavericks bullpen then completely shut down the Quakes offense as right-hander Adam Quintana and left-hander Felix Carvallo allowed no runs and only one hit with five strikeouts in their combined 3.2 innings of relief.

On the cusp of playoff elimination, the Quakes headed into the bottom of the ninth needing one to tie and two to win. The good news, however, was that they had the top of their line-up coming to the plate. But things got dire quickly when Quakes shortstop Tim Locastro grounded out to second and center fielder Alex Verdugo struck out swinging.

Down to their final out and down 0-2 in the count, Quakes left fielder Jacob Scavuzzo worked out a huge, absolutely professional walk to give the Quakes a pulse – albeit only a slight one. Scavuzzo’s two-out walk meant that Quakes first baseman and Dodgers top prospect Cody Bellinger would come to the plate representing the winning run. If you recall, it was Bellinger’s dramatic 10th-inning, two-out, three-run walk-off home run on Monday night that gave the Quakes the 3-0 win and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five Cal League South Division Championship Series. During the regular season Bellinger led the Quakes with his 30 home runs and led the Cal League with his 103 RBIs. On the very first pitch he saw from Mavericks right-hander Dakota Watts, Bellinger smoked a single to center allowing Scavuzzo to take third.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and down to his last strike, Quakes left fielder Jacob Scavuzzo worked an 0-2 count into a walk that would prove to be the game changer.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

With runners at the corners and still down to their final out, Quakes designated hitter (and later catcher) Tyler Ogle stepped in and drew yet another absolutely huge walk – this one on four pitches – to load the bases.

Having lost his designated hitter when he moved Ogle from DH to catcher, Quakes manager Bill Haselman sent Delvis Morales to pinch-hit for pitcher Joshua Sborz (of 2015 College World Series fame and the Dodgers 2015 second-round draft pick). Although the light-hitting Morales had not made a plate appearance in the series, Haselman had picked the right man for the job as Morales slapped a single to left field allowing Scavuzzo to score the trying run and Bellinger the winning run to give the Quakes the incredible and unlikely 6-5 win, thereby punching their ticket to the 2015 Cal League Championship Series against the San Jose Giants.

It is the first ever trip to the Cal League Championship for the Quakes since becoming the Dodgers Advanced Single-A affiliate in 2011 and the first for the franchise since 2010, when they were then the Angels Advanced Single-A affiliate. Ironically, the manager of that 2010 (Angels) Quakes team was Bill Haselman, whose team lost the series three games to two to – you guessed it – the San Jose Giants.

As noted above, Game-1 of the 2015 Cal League Championship Series is tonight at LoanMart Field, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm (PT). Game-2 will be on Friday night also at LoanMart Field at 7:05 pm. The series will then move to Municipal Stadium in San Jose for Game-3 and Games-4 and 5 if necessary on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, September 19, 20 and 21, with game times TBD. All Quakes Cal League Championship Series games can be heard on FOX Sports 1350 AM in the Riverside/San Bernardino area or on-line through Tunein Radio, Fans can also listen on their smartphones by downloading the free iHeart Radio app and entering KTDD in the search box.