Let’s face it, baseball home openers are fun. You’ve got all of the pomp and circumstance of local politicians, team brass, and, of course, flashy home-team player introductions that often include fireworks or some other form of … well, pomp and circumstance.

But the simple truth, especially for minor league baseball players, coaches, and training staffs, is that breaking spring training camp, being assigned to one of several affiliates located across the country (usually on very short notice), and then having to (try to) find living arrangements far away from families and friends; and then immediately hit the road for – in the case of the Dodgers Advance Single-A affiliate Rancho Quakes – seven games even before unpacking in those new living arrangements, is just plain brutal.

Add to that the fact that while doing all of this, you are expected to play professional baseball at an exceptionally high level, knowing that if you do not, you could very well find yourself working at a convenience store or fast food chain back in your hometown at the drop of a hat.

No pressure here.

“It’s funny, when you look at a seven-day roadie to start off the year, there’s excitement breaking spring training, you get here, we have our mini-camp, guys trying to find housing, and then all of a sudden, boom, you’re on a bus for seven days,” said Quakes manager Drew Saylor prior to Thursday night’a home opener at LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga.

“I think that there’s kind of… I don’t want to say a lot of pent-up frustration and what not, but guys are excited to be home, we’re excited to see our home fans come out, be back in Southern California, I think that there’s a lot of things that has everyone excited about tonight,” Saylor added.

But the bottom line is that regardless of all the ceremony and excitement leading up to it, it’s what happens after the home plate umpire says those immortal words “Play ball” that really matters.

The Quakes entered the night with a 2-5 record coming off of that seven-day ‘roadie’ against two northern division Cal League teams (having arrived at The Epicenter at one in the morning) only to face their fiercest rivals, the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) well rested and waiting for them. They also had 20-year-old 66ers left-hander Jose Suarez, with his filthy curve and knockout slider, on the mound and chomping at the bit to ruin the Quakes homecoming festivities.

He did just that.

Over his 4.0 innings of work, the young Angels prospect and Naguanagua, Venezuela native allowed only two unearned runs on four hits (all singles), while walking none and striking out eight of the 19 total Quakes batters he faced, to pick up the eventual 5-4 win over the hometown favorites.

Among those fortunate enough to get a hit off Suarez were Dodgers 2016 and 2017 first-round draft picks infielder Gavin Lux and outfielder Jeren Kendall. In fact, the pair were the only two Quakes batters to garner two hits apiece on the night against the 66ers excellent pitching.

Dodgers 2016 first-round draft pick Gavin Lux was one of only four Quakes batters to get a hit off of 66ers left-hander Jose Suarez. He would also later steal a base and ended up scoring one of the Quakes four runs on the night. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

It would be negligent not to mention that the game was anything but flawless, with each of the two teams committing three errors. Additionally, although very effective, Suarez hit two Quakes batters on the night and Quakes starter Jordan Sheffield, also a 2016 First-Round draft pick by the Dodgers, hit one 66ers batter.

Dodgers top outfield prospect Jeren Kendall led off the 6th inning with a triple, one of only two extra base hits the Quakes would have all night. Unfortunately, the next three Quakes batters struck out.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As noted, the 66ers came out on top 5-4 in the three hour and 15 minute contest to hand the Rancho squad their sixth loss of the young season and put them in sole possession of last place in the Cal League South. That being said, the Quakes final batter in the bottom of the ninth inning, Dodgers 2017 second-round draft pick Donovan Casey, struck out representing the tying run, so there’s that.

The Quakes and 66ers will square off again on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:05 p.m. and then wrap up the four-game series on Sunday, with a 2:05 p.m. start time.

Every Quakes game can be heard on-line via the i-Heart Radio app (Fox Sports AM 1350) or on TuneIn Radio.

Go Quakes!