For the third time in as many series, the Dodgers advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes completed a three-game sweep over their California League opponents, with the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) being their latest victims

Rehabbing Dodgers Corey Seager and A.J. Pollock each played a role in the just-concluded series, with both also completing their respective rehab assignments – Seager for a strained left hamstring and Pollock for a right elbow infection and subsequent surgery. Both major leaguers will rejoin the Dodgers in Boston on Friday.

    *    *    *   

Game-1

Josiah Gray took the hill for the Quakes in the series opener and dominated the Storm lineup through the first four innings. The offense gave him a lead in the fifth on a sac fly by designated hitter Niko Hulsizer, his third in as many games. In the sixth, second baseman Connor Wong drove in another run on an RBI single to put the Quakes up 2-0. Gray gave up his first and only run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI base hit but kept things in control from there.

After taking over for Pollock in the bottom of the sixth, center fielder Brayan Morales drove in the Quakes third run with a double to left. For some added insurance in the eighth, catcher Stevie Berman drove in two with a triple to center and then scored on a wild pitch.

Connor Strain took over for Gray in the eighth and went two-thirds of an inning. He gave up a single to start the inning, but quickly recorded two outs before being replaced by Darien Nunez, who finished the inning. Nunez got the first out in the ninth, but also gave up two singles which lead to him being replaced by Brett de Geus. De Geus got the final two outs and kept the win in line for Gray, his sixth of the year. 

Game-2 

Corey Seager and A.J. Pollock joined Rancho for Game-2 of the series in their quest for their eighth straight win. Both went 0-for, with Seager getting two at-bats and Pollock three. The first four innings went by very quickly, thanks to a pitcher’s duel between Rancho starter Andre Jackson and Storm starter Gabe Mosser. Both went six innings, but Mosser was the only one to give up runs. 

In the top of the fifth, Wong smashed a two-run shot to left that almost looked foul (but wasn’t) from the third baseline seats. Wong drove in another run in the seventh against Mosser, who was unable to record an out. This was Mosser’s first start in the California League and he proved he could likely handle the hitter-friendly league in future outings. Max Gamboa took over for Jackson to start the seventh and gave up a three-run home run to tie the game up. He was only able to record one out and was replaced by Wes Helsabeck. Helsabeck issued a walk but got the last two outs the Quakes needed to escape further damage. 

Sven Schueller took over for Helsabeck in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras, which he did with a 1-2-3 inning. Shortstop Brandon Montgomery drove in a run with an RBI single to break the tie in the tenth and Morales added on a needed insurance run with a sac fly. Schueller gave up a run in the bottom of the inning but kept the score in place to give the Quakes their eighth straight win and 53rd of the season. He earned his third win of the year, 5-4.

Game-3

A.J. Pollock played in his final rehab game with the Quakes – and it was a big one. After going 0-for-12 in his first four rehab games, the 31-year-old / eight-year MLB veteran hit a home run in the top of the first to give Rancho a 1-0 lead. He was removed from the game in the third, giving him a 1.000 batting average in his final game (.077 overall). In the fourth, right fielder Donovan Casey drove in a run with a triple to left and first baseman Miguel Vargas drove in another with a sac fly. The 3-0 lead would have been more than enough for Quakes starter Leo Crawford as he dominated the Storm lineup throughout the night, but Rancho was finished just yet. An error in the seventh allowed Casey to score, with Vargas providing even more run support for Crawford with an RBI double in the ninth to give the Quakes a 5-0 lead.

Crawford pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to not only give the Quakes their ninth win in a row, but also close the door on a complete game shutout, the first of his professional career. He went the full nine innings and gave up just three hits while striking out 10, a season high for the 22-year-old Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua native, to earn his fourth win of the year.

    *    *    *   

Coming Up

The Quakes return home to LoanMart Field on Wednesday night where they will host the San Jose Giants (Giants). Wednesday is Bark in the Park Night, where fans are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends out to the game. On Thirsty Thursday, Quakes fans can enjoy discounted drinks and Friday is Dollar Family Feast Night, featuring dollar hot dogs, ice cream sandwiches and Pepsi products.

Minor Leagues – Major Fun!

    *    *    *    *    *