After winning their last two series against the Lancaster JetHawks (Rockies) and Stockton Ports (Athletics), the Quakes were looking for more as they took on the Modesto Nuts (Mariners) this past Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at LoanMart Field

Game-1

Gerardo Carrillo got the start for Rancho, giving up a run on a groundout by Mariners rehabbing outfielder Mitch Haniger in the first. Center fielder Jeren Kendall got the run back in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single and right fielder Brayan Morales drove in the go-ahead run in the second on a groundout. Haniger doubled in a run and scored on a wild pitch, which was followed by a solo home run to give Modesto a 4-2 lead in the third.

Carrillo started the fourth and issued a walk before giving way to Darien Nunez. Nunez gave up a run on a forceout, closing the book on Carrillo when his runner scored. The Quakes fought back in the bottom of the inning as third baseman Deacon Liput drove in two with a triple before scoring on another groundout by Morales, tying the game at five. Nunez took the fifth, giving up a double, but recording two outs before being removed for Melvin Jimenez, who recorded the final out and continued into the sixth. He gave up a run on an RBI double, giving the Nuts a 6-5 lead. Jimenez began the seventh, loading the bases after a fielding error before being replaced by Austin Drury. Drury issued a walk and a double, allowing Modesto to score five runs before striking out two batters in a row. Drury walked anther batter and Brett de Geus was called in to get the final out. 

Rancho chipped away at the Nuts lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run on single by first baseman Miguel Vargas and two more on a home run from Kendall. de Geus struck out the side in the eighth, giving way to the fiery Quakes offense. Back-to-back doubles from left fielder Starling Heredia and DH Dillon Paulson got the Quakes within one and a base hit by Morales knotted things back up at 10. For good measure, Vargas drove in two more with a single and a bases-loaded walk to catcher Hunter Feduccia capped the five-run inning as the Quakes took a 13-10 lead. de Geus gave up two singles in the ninth, but kept the Nuts off the board, recording his second win of the year.

Game-2

John Rooney got the start for Rancho, giving up two runs in the second, one on a home run and the other on a botched rundown, but those runs would quickly be erased as the offense continued their onslaught from the night before. With two outs and the bases loaded, Liput reached on a fielding error by the pitcher that allowed three runs to score. In the third, Kendall hit his second home run of the series, putting Rancho up 4-2. Feduccia drove in a run in the fourth with a base hit and another run scored in the fifth as shortstop Jeter Downs scored from second on a fielding error. Heredia gave Rooney a little more insurance and hit a solo home run to the trees in left in the bottom of the sixth. Rooney started the seventh but was removed after giving up a base hit. Sven Schueller took his place with two outs remaining.

Rooney’s 6.1 innings were his most since joining the Quakes, coming in second only to two 6.2 inning appearances for the Great Lakes Loons earlier this season. Schueller recorded the next six outs before exiting the game. Guillermo Zuniga was tasked with recording the final two outs of the game. He gave up a solo home run but recorded the final two outs to give the Quakes their 70th win of the season. Rooney earned the win, his record moving to 3-1.

Game-3

Dodgers utility infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor began a rehab assignment with the Quakes, getting a base hit in his first at-bat. He was driven in on a double by Downs to put Rancho up 1-0. Quakes starter Andre Jackson was finished after just one inning, giving up a hit and a walk, and striking out one batter. Austin Hamilton took over and remained in the game for the next five innings. Kendall hit yet another home run, driving in Downs and giving the Quakes a 3-0 lead. With two runners on in the second, Taylor hit a home run in his second at-bat of the game, which was quickly followed by another double from Downs, a RBI single from Kendall, and a RBI double from Vargas, giving the Quakes a commanding 8-0 lead. Taylor helped start a double play in the third but otherwise didn’t handle the ball.

Morales drove in the Quakes ninth run of the game with a single in the third. Hamilton gave up a solo home run in the fourth but otherwise kept the Nuts at bay through six. Overall, he allowed five hits and the one run while striking out six. Jimenez took over in the seventh and had a 1-2-3 inning. He gave up two singles in the eighth and recorded two outs before being replaced by Nunez. A passed ball by catcher Tre Todd allowed Modesto to score their second run of the game, but the Quakes took it back in the bottom of the inning. Kendall drove in his fourth run of the night with a single to right and Downs later scored on a wild pitch, making the score 11-2 in favor of Rancho. 

Nunez recorded two outs in the ninth but also issued two free passes, causing manager Mark Kertenian to use third baseman Liput as a pitcher for the last out. On Liput’s very first pitch, he managed to induce a pop up to end the game, giving Hamilton his sixth win of the season.

Coming Up

The Quakes continue their homestand against the first-place Northern Division Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks). Friday’s game features Dollar Family Feast Night and another appearance from Taylor, while Saturday features fireworks and Margaritaville Night. Sunday is for the family as there is pre-game yoga and post-game kids run the bases.

Minor Leagues – Major Fun!

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