For the final time in the 2019 regular season, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes played the Stockton Ports (Athletics), this time on the road at Banner Island Ballpark. The Quakes took the season series winning 10 of the 16 games they played against Oakland’s Advanced Single-A affiliate. 

Game-1

With two outs in the top of the first, Quakes second baseman Jeter Downs hit a solo home run to center field to give the Quakes an early advantage. In the top of the third, shortstop and El Monte, CA native Jacob Amaya hit a two-run home run to center for his first hit as a member of the Quakes. Rancho starter Andre Jackson struck out the side in the first but gave up a run on a groundout in the third, but first baseman Dillon Paulson got the run back with a RBI double in the fourth.

Jackson was relieved by Max Gamboa to start the fourth. He gave up two walks before recording an out, then gave up a sac fly and a single to put the Ports just one run back. Austin Drury came in to get the final out of the inning as well as continue through the fifth. In the sixth, left fielder Brandon Montgomery scored on a passed ball, giving the Quakes bullpen a little breathing room. Drury came back out for the sixth and started the seventh, recording two outs before being replaced by Melvin Jimenez who got a strikeout to end the inning. 

Paulson led off the eighth inning with a home run to right, his first homer in the California League to give the Quakes a 6-3 lead. Jimenez gave up a run on a double in the bottom of the inning, but Brett de Geus came in for the save in the ninth and kept the win in line for Drury.

Game-2 

Wills Montgomerie got the start for Rancho, but only going 2.1 after coming off the injured list that same day. He gave up only two hits while striking out five. Austin Hamilton took over with an out in the bottom of the third and kept things at bay. He ran into a rough spot in the fifth, giving up a run on a sac fly. The Quakes offense finally broke through Stockton’s near-perfect pitching as Paulson led off the sixth with a double to break up the Ports no-hit bid. A few batters later, Downs had the Quakes second hit of the night, a single to load the bases. Unfortunately, a double-play ball ended the inning before the Quakes could score. 

Hamilton started the sixth inning but was removed after giving up two singles and a walk but recording a double play. Connor Strain finished the inning and began the seventh. He gave up a bases-loaded, two-RBI single and struck out a batter before exiting in favor of Sven Schueller. Schueller got an out but gave up back-to-back RBI singles to give Stockton a 5-0 lead. The Quakes went down quietly in the eighth and ninth, not getting any other hits aside from the two in the sixth, resulting in a loss for the team and Hamilton.

Game-3

After the offensive slump of game-2, the Quakes were ready to make up for lost time. Catcher Jordan Procyshen hit a solo home run in the top of the second, but the biggest outburst of offense came in the third inning. Three straight singles, including a two-RBI one from Amaya, got the inning started. Paulson drove in another run with a base hit and Procyshen hit his second homer of the night, a three-run shot to right-center to give the Quakes an 8-0 lead, all without any outs. The inning ended with three straight strikeouts, but the Quakes weren’t done yet. 

On the other side of the ball, Quakes starter and Dodgers second-round draft pick in 2018 out of West Virginia University Michael Grove went three strong innings, giving up just one hit while striking out four. He was relieved in the fourth by Jose Martinez making his debut with Rancho. In the eighth, Downs hit his third double of the night, his second as a “ground-rule” to drive in Rancho’s ninth run. Last but not least, first baseman Miguel Vargas followed Downs’ double with one of his own to drive in the tenth and final run for the Quakes.

Montgomery took over on the hill for Martinez in the ninth. In his debut, Martinez went five innings and gave up just three hits and one walk, striking out five and eventually earning the win. Montgomery gave up a run on a wild pitch to break up the shutout but otherwise kept Stockton at bay to give Rancho win number 68 on the season.

Coming Up

After an off-day on Monday, the Quakes return to action on Tuesday for a six-game homestand featuring Recycle Tuesday, Bark in the Park Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, Dollar Family Feast Night Friday, Margaritaville, and Fireworks Saturday, and pre-game Yoga and post-game Kids Run the Bases Sunday.

Minor Leagues – Major Fun!

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