Quakes Come Up Short in San Jose

SAN JOSE, CA - Despite a three-run ninth-inning rally, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes fell a run shy and dropped their fourth straight decision, a 6-5 loss to the San Jose Giants on Friday night at Municipal Stadium in San Jose.

Trailing 6-2, Tyler Ogle doubled home a pair of runs to give the Quakes some life in the ninth, making it a 6-4 game against eventual winner Mason McVay (2-2). Dan Slania was then summoned out of the San Jose bullpen and immediately gave up an RBI double to Paul Hoenecke, making it a one-run game at 6-5. Slania buckled down and got the next two hitters, but not without a scare. With two down and pinch-runner Delvis Morales advancing to third on a wild pitch, Brian Wolfe, making his Quakes' debut, smashed a 3-2 pitch off the right field wall for what looked to be a game-tying double. But the ball was correctly ruled foul, as it was just a few inches to the right of the yellow line. Slania struck out Wolfe on the very next pitch, ending the game and recording his eighth save.

Friday's series-opener was a solid pitcher's duel for the first several innings, as Quakes' starter Jeff Brigham matched San Francisco rehabbing starter Jake Peavy over the first three innings.

After Peavy left after 50 pitches in the fourth, the Quakes got to work. Kyle Farmer earned a two-out walk and then Cody Bellinger followed with his team-leading seventh homer of the year, a two-run shot to right field, making it 2-0 against Giants' reliever Jake Smith.

The Giants got to Brigham for a run in the bottom of the inning, then an unearned run to tie the game in the fifth.

The game remained tied until the eighth, when Rob Rogers, who used just one pitch to earn a double-play and end the seventh, got roughed up. Rogers (1-1) allowed four runs on seven hits in the eighth inning, suffering the loss.

The loss for Rancho (24-17) is their season-worst fourth straight, while the Giants (16-26) have now won four in a row. The Quakes send Johnathan Richy (5-1) to the mound on Saturday night, while the Giants will counter with Tyler Beede (1-2) at 6:00pm. 

The Quakes return to LoanMart Field on Wednesday, May 27 against Modesto. That contest against the Nuts is Terra Vista Animal Hospital's Bark in the Ballpark! Pet passes cost just $3, with proceeds benefiting the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Shelter. Tickets for all remaining home games are available at (909) 481-5000 or at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you very soon at LoanMart Field…Go Quakes!