Inland Empire Uses Two Big Innings and Crushes Quakes 13-3

San Bernardino, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino unloaded on the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes for a 13-3 victory at San Manuel Stadium on Thursday night using a seven-run fourth inning and then piling on with a five-run seventh to even the season series at 10-10. Inland Empire (44-42) got strong pitching as a trio of righties combined to fan 14 and walk just one batter as Inland Empire has taken two of three from the Quakes in a series that will feature seven games in six days.

Brett Kerry started on the mound for Inland Empire in his pro debut and the Angels fifth rounder out of South Carolina allowed two hits to open the contest. With a caught-stealing in the mix, Kerry struck out the next five batters he faced for two shutout frames top open his career. The Sixers took a 1-0 lead in the third; Jose Guzman tripled against Carlos Duran (2-3) and came home on Carson Matthews clutch two-out RBI single. After a perfect third, IE reliever John Swanda found himself in trouble in the top of the fourth nursing the one-run advantage. Swanda punched out Imanol Vargas with the bases loaded to maintain the 1-0 lead. The 2-2 breaking ball for a called third strike was enormous as Inland Empire then bashed seven runs in the bottom of the fourth. Inland Empire’s Gabe Matthews singled to open the inning and scored on Cade Cabbiness’ RBI triple to right. Paxton Wallace followed with a RBI single for a 4-0 lead. After another out was recorded the Sixers delivered five consecutive hits, the key being Braxton Martinez’ three-run double to left. Inland Empire finished the frame scoring seven times on eight hits and led 8-0. The Quakes (48-37) got on the board in the top of the seventh when Vargas drilled a two-run homer, his tenth of the year. Inland Empire immediately responded scoring five times capped by Myles Emmerson’s two-run double to right. Swanda (5-5) allowed two runs in five relief frames striking out three. Brandon Dufault allowed a run over two innings to finish the game but struck out six batters. Every 66ers’ hitter had at least one hit and the club was 9-for-18 with runners in scoring position. Carson Matthews stole two bases for Inland Empire.

The series continues Friday at 7:05 pm. The contest can be seen and heard live on 66ers.com.