When the Dodgers Advanced Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes finished the first half of the 2014 season, they were a dismal 32-38 and in fourth place in the California League South Division a full 12 games behind the first place Lancaster Jethawks (Astros). Not only were the Quakes not hitting, they were playing poor defense and their bullpen was, well… atrocious.

But that was then and this is now, and if you haven’t done so recently, you might want to head on out to LoanMart Field (or wherever the Quakes happen to be playing) because there is something very special and even historic going on with them that you might not want to miss. (Hint: Remember that historic 42-8 run that the Dodgers went on last season?).

Since kicking off the second half on June 19, the Quakes are an unbelievable 14-1. That’s not a typo, they have lost only one game in the second half and even that game was a close one. With their win over the first half champs on Friday night in Lancaster, the Quakes have extended their current winning streak to nine-games – a new record since becoming the Dodgers Advanced Single-A affiliated in 2011. And counting their win on the final day of the first half, the Quakes have won 15 of 16.

So why the big turnaround? The answer to that is simple – great pitching, great hitting and great defense.

The Quakes have been playing exceptional defense in the second half, including this Corey Seager to Brandon Dixon to Chris Jacobs 6-4-3 double play on June 22 against the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels).
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

With a starting rotation comprised of a first and second round draft pick, a 17-year-old phenom and a guy who gives you six or seven innings every start all pitching exceptionally well lately, and with a bullpen that has completely turned things around, it’s no wonder that the Quakes are in first place in the Cal League South second half standings by a comfortable five-game margin over the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres), who themselves are playing .600 ball right now. The difference, of course, is that the Quakes are playing .933 ball. Now granted, there is no way that the Quakes can maintain this level of play, but still, it is simply too incredible to ignore.

Without question the guy who has made the biggest impact out of the Quakes bullpen in the second half is closer Rob Rogers, who is six for six in saves in the second half with a 2.45 ERA. Five of those saves have come during the Quakes current nine-game winning streak. On the season Rogers is 2-3 with a 3.56 ERA in 43 innings of work.

Quakes closer Rob Rogers has been outstanding thus far in the second half.
(Photo credit – Steve Saenz)

Also doing well out of the Quakes bullpen is left-hander Dan Coulombe, who is 3-0 on the season with a team-best 3.12 ERA and 53 strikeouts – tops among all quakes relievers and fifth-best on the team. Coulombe has three saves during the current winning streak, during which he has allowed only one earned run in 6.1 innings of work for an outstanding 1.42 ERA.

It’s not only the pitching and defense that has the Quakes in first place in the second half, their offense has been off the charts. Led by Dodgers 2012 first round draft pick Corey Seager and three-year Quakes first baseman Chris Jacobs, the Quakes have hit a combined 16 home runs through their first 15 games in the second half. Jacobs has six of them and recently became Rancho Cucamonga’s all-time franchise home run leader with his 45th career home run as a member of the Quakes. He has since added three more giving him 48 career home runs as a Quake.

Jacobs tied the Quakes all-time franchise career home run record of 44 with this blast on June 21.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

There is a downside to the success that the Quakes are enjoying thus far in the second half. It has been widely speculated that Seager, Jacobs and starting pitchers Chris Anderson, Tom Windle, Julio Urias and Lindsey Caughel are among those who may soon be promoted to Double-A Chattanooga, perhaps as early as next week after the Futures Game during MLB’s All-Star Week. Both Seager and Urias have been invited to participate in that annual showcase event and their respective promotions to the Lookouts could occur shortly thereafter.

Additionally, there is a strong possibility that one or more Quakes player(s) might be involved in a trade with MLB’s July 31 trade deadline rapidly approaching. One such name being tossed around is right-hander Lindsey Caughel, who has been absolutely brilliant for the Quakes this season. Caughel, a 23rd round draft pick by the Dodgers in 2012, is a proven workhorse who has pitched five innings or more in nine of his 10 outings thus far this season, including seven innings on three occasions. Although the 23-year-old Orlando, Florida native is at or near the top of every pitching category with the Quakes, the logjam of higher ranked pitching prospects puts his future with the Dodgers in question. That being said, his excellent command and control and his durability make him a valuable trade chip and a strong candidate to make it to the big leagues with another MLB team looking for pitching depth and an innings-eater.

While these possible promotions and trades will no doubt affect the Quakes in the second half, they are exactly what minor league baseball is all about – to develop future MLB players. On the bright side, there are a number of excellent young pitchers and position players in the lower ranks of the Dodgers farm system that will undoubtedly be brought up to Rancho Cucamonga if/when roster spots become available.

Such is the cycle of life in professional baseball.