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Quakes power up to even series

Rancho Cucamonga hits six home runs in 17-8 victory over JetHawks
(Larry Goren/Four Seam Images)
September 8, 2017

LANCASTER, Calif. - The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes hit six home runs and pulled away late, en route to a 17-8 victory over the JetHawks in Game 2 of the South Division Finals, evening the series at one game apiece. Brandon Montgomery, the number nine hitter in the order, hit two

LANCASTER, Calif. - The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes hit six home runs and pulled away late, en route to a 17-8 victory over the JetHawks in Game 2 of the South Division Finals, evening the series at one game apiece.
Brandon Montgomery, the number nine hitter in the order, hit two of the home runs for the Quakes. Zach McKinstry, Quincy Latimore, DJ Peters, and Ariel Sandoval each went deep as well. Sandoval's long ball was a grand slam in the ninth inning.
Rancho Cucamonga led from wire-to-wire. They scored three runs in the first inning against JetHawks starter Jesus Tinoco (0-1). Peters delivered an RBI double and Omar Estevez came through with a two-out, two-run double.
Brendan Rodgers put the JetHawks on the board with a solo homer in the bottom of the first. After McKinstry opened the second with a solo shot of his own, the JetHawks got the run back on a sacrifice fly by Garrett Hampson.
The JetHawks got within a run on an unearned tally in the fourth. The Quakes made it 7-3 with three runs in the top of the fifth. Latimore hit a solo homer and Zach Reks delivered an RBI triple.
Lancaster answered immediately with three runs in the bottom of the frame. After a leadoff double by Yonathan Daza, Roberto Ramos launched a long two-run home run to right. Sam Hilliard followed with a double and Wes Rogers brought him home with an RBI single.  
Rancho Cucamonga broke open the game with five runs in the sixth inning, three coming on a home run by Peters.
Tinoco went five innings and allowed seven runs on 10 hits. He walked two and struck out five. Quakes starter Devin Smeltzer took a no-decision. The left-hander went four-plus innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on 11 hits. Left-handed reliever Jason Richman (1-0) earned the win. He retired all six batters he faced and struck out one.
The Quakes out-hit the JetHawks, 20-15. Sam Hilliard and Mylz Jones led the way for the JetHawks with three hits apiece.
Game 3 of the best-of-five series is Friday night at LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga. Right-hander Brandon Gold will start for Lancaster. First pitch is 7:05 p.m.