After a rough three-game series in Lancaster, the Quakes looked to turn things around in Visalia while playing the Rawhide (Diamondbacks).  Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go as planned, as late rallies by the Rawhide and a lack of offense from the Quakes led to them being swept for the first time since their home-opener series against Lancaster in April.

Game-1

The Visalia offense got to Quake starter Gerardo Carrillo quickly, scoring three runs in the first with a bases-loaded single followed by an RBI double. Left fielder Donovan Casey hit a two-run shot to get the Quakes within one in the third, but the Rawhide took the runs back against Carrillo in the bottom of the inning and again in the fourth against reliever Austin Hamilton. Shortstop Jeter Downs drove in two in the fifth once again get the Quakes back to a one-run deficit, but five unanswered Visalia runs would prove too much to bounce back from. A run scored in the bottom of the fifth against Hamilton on an error by catcher Hunter Feduccia. Hamilton was removed for Darien Nunez in the seventh who gave up a run on a sac fly. Melvin Jimenez took the eighth and gave up three runs on a bases-loaded walk and a two-RBI double, giving the Rawhide a 10-4 lead and eventual win. Carrillo took the loss, his eighth of the season.

Game-2

Quakes third baseman Miguel Vargas doubled in Rancho’s only run of the night in the top of the first, giving starter John Rooney lead to work with before even throwing a pitch. Over his five innings of work, Rooney gave up just three hits and one walk while tying for a career-high in strikeouts with eight. Rooney also picked three base runners off, giving him a total of seven with Rancho in his four starts. Max Gamboa took over in the sixth and had a clean inning, but the Visalia lineup put up a fight in the seventh. A two-RBI double gave the Rawhide the lead, but an overeager base runner was thrown out at third from right by Casey to end the inning. 

Brett de Geus took the eighth and had a 1-2-3 inning, but the Quakes lackluster offense couldn’t put together a rally, causing the Quakes to drop their fourth straight game. Gamboa was charged with a blown save, his fifth, and a loss, his fourth of the year. 

Game-3

Downs left the park on the very first pitch of the game to give the Quakes a very early 1-0 lead, but Quake starter Andre Jackson gave up two runs in the bottom of the inning. Catcher Tre Todd quickly evened things out, hitting his own solo home run to lead-off the second inning. Later in the inning, Vargas drove in two more with a base hit to give the Quakes a 4-2 advantage. Visalia scored once more in the bottom of the inning to come within one.

Right fielder Brayan Morales drove in another run in the third to help widen the gap. It turned out to be very useful as Visalia answered back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. Jackson threw a 1-2-3 inning in the fourth and was removed in favor of Sven Schueller for the fifth. Schueller gave up two hits but kept the Rawhide from scoring in his one inning of work. Austin Drury came in for the sixth and kept things running smoothly. Drury ran into trouble in the seventh, putting two runners on before handing the ball over to Nunez, who quickly recorded the second out of the inning but issued back-to-back walks to load the bases and bring in a run to tie the game before giving up a three-run triple that gave Visalia an 8-5 lead. 

Center fielder Jeren Kendall led off the eighth with a solo shot to get the Quakes within two, but they were able to capitalize on a two-out double by DH Starling Heredia. Connor Strain took over for Nunez in the bottom of the inning and quickly got the three outs he needed to get the Quakes back up in the ninth. Downs led off the inning with a double and was driven in by Vargas, but an inning-ending double play scraped the Quakes attempt at a rally.

Coming Up

After a much-needed off-day on Monday, the Quakes return to action at LoanMart Field on Tuesday for a three-game set with Lancaster. Tuesday is a Recycle Tuesday and will also feature Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling making a (reported) two-inning rehab appearance. Wednesday is Bark in the Park and Thursday is Thirsty Thursday.

Minor Leagues, Major Fun!

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