Coming into their final homestand of the season, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes sat in first place, but with the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) right on their tails in second and Lancaster close behind in third. The Quakes took on the Storm, looking to not only widen the gap between them but also earn the second-half Cal League South title in defense of their 2018 California League Championship win. 

The last time the two teams faced each other, the Storm took 2-of-3 in Lake Elsinore, but the Quakes were ready for the challenge once more, this time on their home turf. 

Game-1

Quake starter Wills Montgomerie kept the Storm off the board through the first three innings, but three straight hits against him put Elsinore up 1-0 in the fourth. Center fielder Jeren Kendall hit a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to even things out once more. In the bottom of the fifth, with two outs, the Quakes scored two with a RBI single from second baseman Jacob Amaya and a RBI double from Kendall, who finished the game a triple shy of the cycle.

Darien Nunez took over for Montgomerie in the top of the sixth. Montgomerie gave up just the one run on six hits. Nunez struck out four in his two innings of work, not giving up a run or a hit in the process. Guillermo Zuniga came in for the eighth, looking for a six-out save. To top things off in the bottom of the eighth, first baseman Dillon Paulson hit a solo home run to put the Quakes up 4-1. Zuniga gave up a single in the ninth, but nothing more, keeping the win intact for Montgomerie and earning his second save of the season. 

Game-2

The Quakes scored four runs in the bottom of the second and never looked back. Right fielder Brayan Morales was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, sending in run number one. Kendall then drove in three with a bases-clearing double. In the third, Quake starter Jose Martinez gave up two runs on two doubles, but he otherwise kept them off the board through his six innings of work. 

Max Gamboa took over for Martinez in the seventh and threw a 1-2-3 inning before the Quakes offense added on a few more insurance runs. With one out, Kendall tripled before being driven in on a RBI double by third baseman Miguel Vargas. Designated hitter Devin Mann immediately followed with a two-run home run to left, putting the Quakes up 7-2. Gamboa had a 1-2-3 eighth as well before handing the ball off to Austin Drury for the ninth. Drury walked his first two batters but got three straight outs to end the game. Martinez earned the win, his second of the season with Rancho.

Game-3

Rehabbing Dodger pitcher Julio Urias got the start for the Quakes. He gave up a run in the first, but the Quakes offense was quick to back him, scoring four runs in the second inning. Morales walked with the bases loaded and two outs to tie the game at one before Kendall drove in two on a single to center. Mann drove in the fourth run with a RBI single, but Kendall was thrown out at third to end the inning. Urias went back out to start the third but gave up a run and was removed in favor of Brandon Montgomery. Montgomery issued a walk and allowed an inherited runner to score, but ultimately got out of the inning with the Quakes holding on to a one-run lead.

The offense struck again in the bottom of the inning, starting with a sac fly by Amaya. Designated hitter Deacon Liput drove in two more runs with a double to center to put Rancho up 7-3. Dodger’s rehabber Dylan Floro took over for Montgomery in the fourth and had a 1-2-3 inning. The Quakes originally slated starter, Gerardo Carrillo, went in for the fifth. He gave up three hits over four innings and struck out six. Austin Drury went in to finish the game, giving up a two-run single before inducing a game-ending groundout.

With their win over the Storm, the Quakes the Cal League South second-half title to go along with their first-half title. It also marked their 80th win of the 2019 regular season.

Coming Up

The Quakes continue their final regular-season homestand against the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) before starting their 2019 playoff run. Promotions for the last four games include Alex Verdugo Bobblehead Night on Friday, fireworks on Saturday, kids run the bases on Sunday, and a 2:05 start time for Labor Day on Monday.

Minor Leagues – Major Fun!

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