For the second time in as many series, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes took on the San Jose Giants (Giants), but this time on the road, where their record has surprisingly been outstanding – even approaching a franchise-record of wins on the road. However, this series didn’t quite go the way of the rest of the season in extra innings, wild pitches and a general lack of early offense, leading the Quakes down a rough road in San Jose.

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Game-1

Back-to-back doubles in the first by DH Donovan Casey and shortstop Jeter Downs got the Quakes on the board first to start the series in San Jose. Gerardo Carrillo started the game for Rancho, his second time since June 16, having spent some time on the IL. He went two innings and gave up two hits before giving way to Wills Montgomerie in the third. He pitched a quiet third but gave up four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Casey drove in a run with a single to left and Downs drove in his second run of the game in the fifth on a sac fly to pull the Quakes to within one.

In the seventh, Casey drove in the game-tying run with his second double of the night and later scored on a wild pitch. Montgomerie started the bottom of the inning and got two outs before handing the ball over to Darien Nunez, who recorded the third out as well as the first two outs of the eighth. Connor Strain finished up the eighth and took the ninth with a one run lead. He quickly recorded two outs but gave up three straight singles to allow San Jose to tie the game and eventually send it into extras. 

NorCal native Brett de Geus went in for the tenth and recorded three quick, though unconventional, outs, including a 1-5-6 fielder’s choice and using an intentional walk to set up a double play, which worked beautifully. In his Quakes debut, catcher Hunter Feduccia dropped down a sacrifice bunt in the eleventh to break the 5-5 tie. A few batters later, Downs drove in a run on a sac fly to put Rancho up 7-5. de Geus went back out for the bottom of the inning and got the three outs needed to secure the win, his first with the Quakes, with his family and friends looking on. 

Game-2

John Rooney, the newest addition to Rancho’s starting rotation, made his debut. He gave up a two-run home run in the bottom of the first and an RBI double in the fourth. He started the sixth but was removed with one out in favor of Bryan Warzek, who inherited two runners from Rooney. Warzek gave up an RBI single with the run being charged to Rooney to officially close the book on his first outing. 

Center fielder Brayan Morales got the Quakes on the board in the seventh with an RBI single, but Warzek gave up a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to essentially erase Morales’ effort. A passed ball by catcher Stevie Berman essentially sealed their fate, as the Quakes offense was unable to aid in the effort in the top of the eighth. Guillermo Zuniga made his Cal League debut in the bottom of the inning, giving up a hit, but avoiding any further trouble with an inning-ending double play. The Quakes went down 1-2-3 in the ninth, with a final score of 6-1 in favor of the Giants. 

Game-3

The rubber game of the series saw the Giants score first against Ranch starter Andre Jackson. In the second, he threw a wild pitch that allowed a run to score, then gave up two more runs on back-to-back-to-back singles. Austin Drury took over for Jackson in the sixth. He went 1.2 innings and didn’t allow a hit. In the seventh, the Quakes offense kicked into gear, tying the game at three. With the bases loaded, second baseman Deacon Liput grounded into a force out that scored Rancho’s first run of the game.

With newcomer first baseman Dillon Paulson batting, a double steal took place, allowing left fielder Niko Hulsizer to score. Liput scored next on an error after stealing third base. Max Gamboa went in for the eighth and ninth and despite throwing two wild pitches, he kept the Giants from scoring and sent the game to extras. With one out in the tenth, the Quakes had a bases-loaded opportunity, but are unable to capitalize on it. 

Strain went in for the bottom of the inning, intentionally walking his first batter (keep in mind that extra innings begin with an automatic runner on second base) with the hopes of turning a double play. He struck out the next batter, but back-to-back singles would drive in the one run the Giants needed for the walk-off win. The Quakes dropped the game 4-3 and their second series in a row.

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The Quakes six-game road trip continues, as they head over to Banner Island Ballpark to open a three game series with the Stockton Ports (Athletics) beginning on Saturday evening.

Minor Leagues – Major Fun!

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