Rancho Rallies to Take Down Lancaster

Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Rancho earned a series split against Lancaster behind a four-run seventh inning Monday night in an 8-6 win.. It was the Quakes fifth win in seven games and they are now 13-5 in May.

Rancho Cucamonga (21-24) entered the bottom of the seventh inning down 6-4, but the Quakes got to Lancaster reliever Mitch Lambson (1-1, 4.00) in the bottom half. Rob Garvey led off the frame with a triple, and he scored on a Brandon Dixon sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to one. On the next pitch, Corey Seager lined a solo shot over the right field fence to tie the game at six runs apiece. The home run was Seager's fifth of the year and his third in as many games.

The Quakes weren't done in the frame. Chris Jacobs followed Seager's homer with a walk. Two batters later, Jeremy Rathjen launched his fourth home run of the year to left field to give Rancho an 8-6 lead. It was Rathjen's first long ball since April 21.

Blake Smith shut the door with a two-inning save to close the game out. The righty struck out three batters and didn't allow a hit to earn his fourth save of the year.

For the fourth straight game, the Quakes jumped out to an early lead. With two outs in the first inning, Rancho strung together three hits against Lancaster's Zach Morton. Chris Jacobs, the California League Player of the Week, hit an RBI double in the frame to get Rancho on the board. Aaron Miller followed with a run-scoring double of his own to put the Quakes up 2-0.

Lancaster (26-19) scored two unearned runs in the second to tie the game thanks to a pair of Rancho errors. The JetHawks took the lead with three runs on three hits in the fourth inning. Eight hitters went to the plate in the inning with Rio Ruiz, Dan Gulbransen and Bobby Borchering driving in runs for the JetHawks.

The JetHawks added a run in the seventh inning off of Gustavo Gomez (1-0, 9.00). Roberto Pena's RBI double gave Lancaster a brief two-run lead before Rancho's rally.

Rancho goes for a third straight win Tuesday night in San Bernardino as they take on the Inland Empire 66ers. Chris Anderson (2-3, 5.31) will make his tenth start for Rancho against Nate Smith (5-3, 3.08). It will be Smith's third start against the Quakes this season. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1350 starting with the LoanMart Pregame Report at 6:50 pm.

The Quakes return home on Friday to start a four-game series against Lake Elsinore at LoanMart Field. On Friday night, the first 1,500 fans through the gates will receive a Yasiel Puig Quakes Bobblehead courtesy of AllStar Kia! Saturday is Star Wars Night at the ballpark, as the entire evening will be dedicated to the classic films. The Quakes will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game, with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer's Association - California Southland Chapter. After the game, fans will be treated to a Fireworks Extravaganza thanks to Safeco Insurance! Tickets are still available by calling (909) 481-5000 or going online to rcquakes.com. We hope to see you at LoanMart Field soon! Go Quakes!