Much like the Dodgers themselves, the franchise’s Advanced Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes got off to a slow start. In fact, they finished the first month of the 2018 season with an 11-14 record and, at one point during April, lost five in a row.

Interestingly enough, however, is that 11 of those first 25 games were against California League North Division teams; more specifically, the Visalia Rawhide (2-2). the Stockton Ports (1-5), and the Modesto Nuts (0-1). That’s a 3-8 record against teams outside of their own division.

However, beginning in May and culminating on Saturday night, June 16, the Quakes did what many initially thought impossible back in April. Over their next 44 games, they won 24 of them – most against teams in within the Cal League South Division, for a 35-34 record (with one game remaining in the first half) – thereby eliminating the other three teams in their division. In other words, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, under third-year manager Drew Saylor, won the Cal League South first half title, which guarantees them a berth into the first round of the 2018 Cal League postseason.

What the fiercely competitive yet equally humble Quakes skipper didn’t include in his congratulatory tweet is that those young men won seven of their last 10 games (with one game remaining before the All-Star break), and five of their last six. What’s even more amazing and to wit that resiliency thing that Saylor is referring to is that all of those final six games were played on the road with most of those five wins being come-from-behind wins in their final at-bats.

Resiliency indeed.

Cal League South standings with one game remaining in the first half.

To be fair, the Rancho squad got some help on Saturday night to secure their first half Cal League South championship. After polishing off the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) by a resounding score of 10-4 on Saturday night, they were still in a mathematical tie with the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres), who were engaged in a marathon game at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore (the town, not the lake) with the Lancaster JetHawks (Rockies). And while Saylor’s team got a bit of a head start on their celebration, they needed the JetHawks to beat the Storm to win the first half title.

…and boy did the JetHawks beat the Storm – by a lopsided score of 15-5 in a game that took a painfully long (for everyone) three hours and 52 minutes to complete. And when it was over, the real celebration began for the Quakes, who had been listening to the game intently in the visiting clubhouse of San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino, California.

Although the Quakes did their part to win the Cal League South first half title by defeating the Inland Empire 66ers on Saturday night, they had to wait until the Lancaster JetHawks beat the Lake Elsinore Storm for the real celebration to begin … and boy did it! (Photo credit – Andrew Chapman)

The ThinkBlue LA staff sends a hearty congratulations to Drew Saylor, his staff, and to the entire Rancho Cucamonga Quakes team for a job well done.

Now… on to the second half.

Play Ball!