After getting off to a strong 2-0 start in the three-game series with the Ports, the Quakes offense ran out of steam in game-3, guaranteeing them a series win, but also putting them on the wrong side of history.  

Game-1

Starter Leo Crawford gave up a solo home run in the bottom of the first, but that would be the only run Rancho would give up all night. After a low scoring end to their series in San Jose, the Quakes offense fired on all cylinders against Stockton, scoring six runs in the second inning to set the tone for the night. 

Third baseman Miguel Vargas got things started, hitting an RBI single to tie the game at one. Catcher Hunter Feduccia reached on a fielding error that allowed Vargas to score, giving the Quakes the lead. Thanks to the error and two walks, the bases were loaded for shortstop Jeter Downs, who proceeded to hit a grand slam to left, giving the Quakes a commanding 6-1 lead. 

Crawford kept the Giants lineup in check through six after his first-inning run, holding the Giants to just four hits and striking out eight. Centerfielder Brayan Morales, who came in for Jeren Kendall, added on some insurance for Crawford with a two-RBI single in the seventh. Darien Nunez took over for Crawford in the seventh and continued to dominate the San Jose lineup, striking out four and walking one in two innings work.

In the ninth, designated hitter Marcus Chiu, who had replaced Niko Hulsizer as a pinch-runner, drove in Downs with a groundout to put the Quakes up 9-1. Guillermo Zuniga kept the lead in place, finishing up the game with a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out two of the three batters he faced. Crawford earned the win, his fifth of the season. 

Game-2

Michael Grove got the ball for Rancho and threw three quality innings, allowing just two hits and striking out three. The offense backed him in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs in total. Second baseman Deacon Liput got things started with an RBI single, which was later followed by a two-RBI single from Feduccia. Austin Hamilton took over for Grove in the fourth and kept them off the board for the next two innings. The Quakes added to their 3-0 lead in the sixth, scoring six runs against Stockton’s starter. 

Vargas drove in a run with a single and Feduccia followed with another two-run single. With the bases loaded, Kendall walked to send Feduccia in, putting Rancho up 7-0. With the aid of a passed ball, Morales scored run number eight on the night. Hamilton gave up two runs in the bottom of the inning on an inside-the-park home run.

Bryan Warzek took over in the eighth, walking his first batter, but quickly recording outs against the next three. For some final flair in the ninth, pinch hitter Brandon Montgomery drove in new catcher Chase Barbary with a base hit for run number nine and Morales brought in the tenth and final run with another single. Brett de Geus was tasked with finishing up the game. He hit a batter and gave up a double, but ultimately got outs when he needed them and kept the Ports from scoring. 

The 10-2 victory was the 60th of the season for Rancho Cucamonga, with Hamilton picking up his fourth win of the season.

Game-3

The Quakes offense fell flat in the final game of the series, succumbing to a combined no-hitter. The Quakes lineup was issued five walks total, but no base runner ever made it to second base. The Quakes defense and pitching staff also had a rough night, making two errors and giving up 10 earned runs. 

Gerardo Carrillo started for Rancho and only went 2.1 innings, giving up two hits. He was charged with a run after his replacement, Wills Montgomerie, gave up an RBI double to rehabbing catcher Nick Hundley. Montgomerie pitched the next 2.2 innings and ultimately gave up six runs, five earned, on six hits. He walked two but struck out two as well. 

Connor Strain took over in the sixth and recorded the Quakes first 1-2-3 inning of the night. He gave up two hits in the seventh but kept the Ports from adding to their 7-0 lead. Max Gamboa took the eighth and recorded an out but gave up back-to-back-to-back singles to allow Stockton to score run number eight. He then threw his second wild pitch of the game, his 15th of the year, to allow another run to score. 

After a slew of defensive changes, including the shortstop Liput making his pitching debut, Stockton tacked on more runs. Liput gave up two straight base hits to give Stockton a 10-0 lead and load the bases. He issued a walk which scored run number eleven but was able to induce a pop up in foul territory to end the inning. Downs walked in the ninth, but that would be all for the Quakes as they took the 11-0 defeat. Carrillo received the loss, moving his record to 2-6.

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Coming up

The Quakes return home to LoanMart field on Tuesday to take on the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels). Game one of the series is Recycle Tuesday, where fans can bring in ten recyclables for a free club level ticket. Wednesday is a special 10:35 am game that will also feature Kids Run the Bases after the game. Thursday is Thirsty Thursday which features drink discounts throughout the stadium.

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