Epps, West leave marks in finale

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - The JetHawks are heading to the playoffs on a high note after an 8-1 victory over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Monday afternoon at LoanMart Field.

Chris Epps recorded his first multi-homer game of the season with two solo shots and starter Aaron West (10-8) struck out eight batters over five scoreless innings to tie for the team lead with 10 wins.

West started the game by striking out five of the first six batters he faced and didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning. He finished with five shutout innings and allowed two hits, one walk and struck out eight batters.

Lancaster gave him a lead in the third inning. Joe Sclafani led off with a double against Quakes starter Francisco Villa (0-1) who had been called up from Rookie Ogden prior to the game. Delino DeShields followed with a walk and Andrew Aplin singled home Sclafani to get the JetHawks on the board. M.P. Cokinos singled to score DeShields and a Tyler Heineman sac-fly brought Aplin home to make it 3-0.

Epps led off the fourth inning with a towering home run down the right field line. With two outs in the same inning, DeShields hit a home run to centerfield, his fifth of the season.

Epps also led off the sixth inning with a home run to right field. He finished the game 2-for-3 with two walks.

DeShields reached on an error later in the sixth inning and scored on another Aplin single. In the eighth, DeShields singled and scored on an Aplin double. Aplin finished the game with three RBIs bringing his Cal League-best RBI total to 107.

The Quakes picked up their only run on a Corey Seager single in the ninth inning against Jordan Jankowski.

Dodgers centerfielder went 0-for-4 with two ground outs and two shallow flyouts in the fifth game of his rehab assignment with the Quakes. He finished the series 0-for-13 against JetHawks pitching with six strikeouts.

The JetHawks finished the regular season with a 82-58 record, their best since going 83-57 in 2007 as a Boston Red Sox affiliate. Their 43-27 second half record is tied with Modesto for the best in the Cal League this season.

Rancho Cucamonga (65-75) will host Inland Empire (69-71) in Game 1 of the best-of-three South Division Mini-Series on Wednesday. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) will be played in San Bernardino. The winner will head to Lancaster to take on the JetHawks in Game 1 of the South Division Finals on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Don't miss a moment of the 2013 season as the JetHawks look to repeat as Cal League Champions. 2013 Cal League postseason tickets and other great ticket packages are on sale now. To order, call (661) 726-5400 or visit jethawks.com.