For the final time in the 2019 season, the Quakes headed to Lake Elsinore to take on the Storm (Padres) for a three-game series. The Quakes came into the series looking good, having swept the Modesto Nuts (Mariners) and taking 2-of-3 from the Visalia Rawhide, holders of the California League’s best record, but were unable to repeat their success beyond game-1 of this series.  

Game-1

Rancho first baseman Miguel Vargas got the Quakes on the board first in the third with a RBI single. Neither team had much else going for them offensively through the first six innings, but things got interesting in the seventh. With the bases loaded, Vargas once again stepped up to the plate and cleared the bases with a triple to center to put Rancho up 4-0. Quakes starter John Rooney gave up a two-run home run in the bottom seventh, cutting Rancho’s lead in half, but it was the only blemish in an otherwise very impressive start. Over his seven innings, Rooney gave up just the two runs on six scattered hits, issuing one walk and striking out four. Rooney also picked off two bases runners, bringing his season total to 11.

Quakes right-hander Sven Schueller took over in the eighth and issued a walk, but induced an inning-ending double play to keep the Storm at bay. Brett de Geus took the ninth, looking for a three out save. Although the road to get to it was bumpy, he managed to escape a bases-loaded, two-out jam with a groundout to end the game. Rooney earned his fourth win of the season while de Geus earned his fourth save. 

Game-2

Quakes starter Austin Hamilton had a great outing, giving up five hits and just one run over 5.2 innings. The lone run came on a solo home run and the Storm threatened to add more with a follow-up triple, but Hamilton escaped the jam before making way for Guillermo Zuniga. Zuniga gave up a solo home run to his first batter of the game, putting Lake Elsinore up 2-0, before settling in for the remainder of the inning. Max Gamboa took over in the eighth and gave up two hits but escaped the inning unscathed.

Down to their final inning, the Quakes offense kicked in as second baseman Deacon Liput drove in two with a single to center that led to a very close play at the plate. Both runs were counted and the game went to the bottom of the ninth. Gamboa went back out, recording an out before hitting a batter and walking another. He was removed in favor of Darien Nunez who forced an infield fly popup before giving up a walk-off three-run home run. The Quakes fell to the Storm by a final score of 5-2 and Gamboa took the loss, his fifth of the year. 

Game-3

The rubber game of the series was another low scoring affair between the two teams, but Rancho struck first with a RBI triple by shortstop Jacob Amaya and a RBI single by first baseman Dillon Paulson. Quakes starter Wills Montgomerie gave up just one hit through 4.2 innings but issued a walk to put two runners on, resulting in his removal from the game. Connor Strain went in next and walked three straight batters to knot the score up at two before recording the third out. Melvin Jimenez took over in the sixth and threw two clean innings.

Austin Drury went in for the eighth and remained in through the tenth. He walked a batter and a sac bunt put runners on second and third with one out. Drury was replaced by de Geus who intentionally walked his first batter to load the bases. A sacrifice fly scored the game-winner, giving the Storm their second walk-off win in a row against the Quakes. Drury took the loss and the Storm now sit one game back of Rancho in the second-half standings with 11 games left in the regular season.

Coming Up

The Quakes travel to San Bernardino next for a four-game series with the last place Inland Empire 66ers beginning on Friday night. They then return home for the final homestand of the regular season, a seven-game set featuring three against the Storm and finish the season with four against the 66ers.

Minor Leagues – Major Fun!

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