After losing the first two series of the second half and splitting the third, the Dodgers Advanced Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes looked to get back to their winning ways once more, as they played a three-game set with the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) from the comfort of their own home field.

Game-1

Second baseman Devin Mann helped the Quakes hit the ground running in the first, hitting an RBI double which was immediately followed by a two-run home run from center fielder Jeren Kendall, giving Rancho a 3-0 lead. Quakes starter Michael Grove gave up two runs in the second but limited the Storm to just two hits after giving up the runs. In his four innings, he gave up six hits and the two runs while striking out three. Grove was replaced by Wills Montgomerie to start the fifth.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, first baseman Nick Yarnall drove in a run with an RBI double and second baseman Deacon Liput drove in another with an RBI single putting the Quakes up 5-2. Montgomerie gave up two runs in the seventh but was only charged with one earned due to an error by third baseman Marcus Chiu. Chiu made up for his miscue in the bottom of the seventh by smacking a two-run shot to center to give the Quakes a 7-4 lead. 

Montgomerie gave up one more run in the ninth, but kept the 7-5 lead intact for the win, his sixth of the season. 

Game-2

Dodgers 17-ranked prospect Josiah Gray got the start against MLB‘s number third overall ranked prospect MacKenzie Gore in one of the best pitcher’s duels in the California League this season. Gray went 6.2 giving up just four hits while walking two and striking out seven. Gore went seven innings and gave up three hits and walks, with nine strikeouts. Bryan Warzek took over for Gray to get the final out of the seventh, but in the eighth, he gave up the first run of the game on an RBI single aided by an error by Quakes left fielder Donovan Casey. Wes Helsabeck replaced Warzek to get the final out of the inning.

Gore was replaced in the bottom of the inning, but the Quakes weren’t able to capitalize on the change, getting the first two batters on but not reaching home. Helsabeck also took the ninth and got into a little trouble, but was saved by a play at the plate when an over determined base runner underestimated Casey and new third baseman Miguel Vargas. Vargas, who was making his Cal League debut with the Quakes, would prove to be the hero of the game, hitting a two-run walk-off double for the come-from-behind 2-1 win.

“It was my first walk-off ever,” Vargas told ThinkBlue LA, with a big smile on his face.

Vargas went 2-4 and made a run-saving defensive play in his Quakes debut to give Helsabeck his fifth win of the season.

Game-3

Rancho starter Andre Jackson had a dominant start to the game despite an injury scare early on, but remained in the game. He gave up an RBI double in the second, but the Quakes offense was quick to take it back.

Liput hit his second home run of the season, a two-run shot to right, in the second. Mann helped the cause in the third by driving in the third and final run for the Quakes with an RBI single. Jackson went on to hold the Storm offense to just one run on two hits. He walked three but also struck out seven over his five innings of work.

Connor Strain took over in the sixth and gave up a run in the seventh on a wild pitch to pull the Storm to within one. Brett de Geus took over in the eighth and gave up two hits but kept Lake Elsinore off the board to set up a save opportunity. In the bottom of the inning, shortstop Jeter Downs took a fastball off his wrist and left the game, causing a slew of changes for Rancho to start the ninth. Darien Nunez took over for de Geus, Liput moved to short for Downs, Vargas went from designated hitter to third, and Mann moved from third to second. Nunez was able to record a 1-2-3 inning, with the last out being a strikeout to earn him the save and Jackson his second win of the season. 

The 3-2 win kept the series win intact, but also gave the Quakes first series sweep since taking a five-game series from the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) in early June. As luck would have it, the Quakes will play the 66ers over the Fourth of July weekend.

    *    *    *    *    *