Quakes Drop Sunday's Series-Finale

Rancho Cucamonga, CA-- High Desert broke a fifth-inning tie thanks to a bases-loaded walk, salvaging a split of their four-game series with Rancho Cucamonga, as the Mavs downed the Quakes on Sunday afternoon by a final of 4-2 at LoanMart Field.

Tied at 2-2 in the fifth, Quakes' reliever Philip Pfeifer (2-1) allowed four straight hitters to reach with two outs, walking in what turned out to be the winning run, as the Mavs took the lead for good at 3-2.

High Desert added an insurance run in the ninth against reliever Bubby Rossman. Rossman had worked two scoreless innings of relief to keep the Quakes in it, but allowed a one-out double to Scott Heineman, as he knocked in Travis Demeritte to make it 4-2.

The Quakes, who hadn't had a hit since the fourth inning, got back-to-back base hits to open the ninth off Mavs' closer Cody Palmquist. But after Garrett Kennedy opened the frame with a single, he was thrown out trying to go from first to third on Erick Mejia's single to right. With one out and Mejia at second, Tim Locastro struck out and Devan Ahart popped up to end the threat, giving Palmquist his second save in a Mavs' uniform.

Quakes' starter Josh Sborz, on a limited pitch count, gave the Quakes four solid innings, making just one mistake. With a runner aboard via walk in the third, Demeritte slugged his league-best 20th homer of the year, putting High Desert in front 2-0.

The Quakes evened the game in the fourth, as Locastro chased home Mejia with an RBI double, then scored on an Edwin Rios RBI single, making it a 2-2 game.

Mavs' starter David Ledbetter (3-6) was strong in the win for High Desert, as he allowed just two runs on three hits over seven innings. 

One night after finishing with 13 hits, the Quakes were held to just five hits, two of which came in the ninth inning.

The Quakes (2-2, 44-30) head to Visalia on Monday, as they take on the Rawhide in game one of the three-game set. Rancho will go with Andrew Sopko (7-1) on Monday, while the Rawhide will answer with Brad Keller (5-4), with first pitch scheduled for 7:00pm. 

On Thursday, June 30th, the Quakes will return home to LoanMart Field to face the Stockton Ports, as fans will enjoy Slater's 50/50 Thirsty Thursday, featuring $2 Pepsi products, $3 domestic drafts and $4 premium drafts, wine, champagne and margaritas. Game time is set for 7:05pm and tickets are available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. Go Quakes!