After playing the Stockton Ports (Athletics) just once in the first half, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes have played them in three series over the last three weekends. Rancho won the opening series in the first half, taking three of four, and have since put together a 5-4 record against them in the second half – including taking two of three from them this past weekend.

Game-1

Michael Grove got the start in the series opener and went three innings, giving up five hits, but no runs thanks to a display of defensive excellence from right fielder Donovan Casey. In the top of the first, Casey scooped a ball hit for a single and slung it back into the infield, getting it to catcher Stevie Berman in time to tag out a runner trying to score.

Rehabbing Dodgers reliever Dylan Floro took over for the fourth inning and gave up two hits. Casey once again came in to save the day, recording a double play by catching a fly ball for out number one and throwing out another runner at home to end the inning. In the bottom of the inning, the Quakes scored the first run of the game on an infield double by Berman.

Guillermo Zuniga replaced Floro in the fifth and had a 1-2-3 inning. Max Gamboa took the hill next and had two 1-2-3 innings that would lead into the Quakes adding to their 1-0 lead. Three straight singles and the aid of a throwing error allowed a run to score and, with two runners on, center fielder Jeren Kendall homered to right, putting Rancho up 5-0. Gamboa gave up his one and only hit of the night in the eighth but kept Stockton off the board. 

In the bottom of the inning, Stockton issued a bases loaded walk to send a run home and Kendall hit a sac fly to give the Quakes a 7-0 lead. Melvin Jimenez went in for the ninth and struck out the side to keep the victory and shutout intact. Gamboa got the win, his fifth of the year. 

Game-2

First baseman Dillon Paulson got the Quakes on the board in the second with a RBI double, but Stockton took it back – and then some – against Quakes starter Gerardo Carrillo. A wild pitch from Carrillo scored a run in the third and a RBI double broke the tie. Austin Drury came in after Carrillo was unable to record an out. Drury allowed back-to-back singles that brought home a run but struck out the next three batters to end the inning.

Sven Schueller took over for Drury with two outs in the fifth and took the sixth as well, giving up just one hit. Quakes infielder Brandon Montgomery got the ball in the seventh as a position player pitcher. After recording a quick out to start the inning, he gave up a triple, a RBI single, and a two-run home run, giving Stockton a 6-1 lead. Brett de Geus took over to get the final two outs and pitched the eighth inning. He gave up three hits and one run over his 1.2 innings. Bryan Warzek was sent in for the ninth, giving up a hit but kept Stockton from adding to their run total. In the bottom of the inning, the Quakes offense got a small rally going as shortstop Jeter Downs, down to his last strike and with two out, doubled home two runs, but ultimately Rancho fell 7-3. Carrillo was charged with the loss, dropping his record to 2-7.

Game-3

John Rooney made his third start of the season with the Quakes, giving up a run in the first, but the offense backed him with run support to quickly erase the deficit. In the third, shortstop Deacon Liput notched his third home run of the season, a three-run blast that put Rancho up for good. Stockton took one run back in the top of the sixth, but a very impressive 8-3-5 double play, started by Kendall, ended the inning before the Ports could try to tie things up. Rooney’s day was done after sixth innings, having given up just the two runs on nine hits. He walked one but struck out eight before being replaced by Connor Strain.

Strain gave up one hit in the seventh before making way for the Quakes offense to strike once more. Casey tripled in a run to put the Quakes up by two and scored on a bunt single by Liput. With a 5-2 lead, Zuniga made his second appearance of the series, recording two quick outs before walking two straight. He got out of the inning with a fly out and made way for Melvin Jimenez in the ninth. Jimenez gave up a hit to start the inning, but a double play and a fly out ended the inning, giving John Rooney his second win of the season and Jimenez his first save.

Up Next

The Quakes are off on Monday and then travel to Lancaster on Tuesday for a three-game set with the JetHawks (Rockies) at The Hangar.

Minor Leagues – Major Fun!

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