Quakes Win Late, 6-5

In the first playoff game at the Epicenter since 2004, the Quakes took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning against the Lake Elsinore Storm. With one out, Carlos Colmenares hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot, to take a 1-0 lead.

The Quakes offense was alive in the 2nd inning as well against Storm starter Anthony Bass. Abel Nieves led off with a double and moved to third on a groundout. Alberto Rosario came up and lined a single to center to score Nieves to make it a 2-0 game. Rosario then stole second and scored on a two-out RBI triple by Andrew Romine to go up 3-0 on the Storm.

Quakes starter Ryan Brasier was solid for the first two innings, but ran into a road block in the third. After allowing a lead off single to Luis Martinez, Brad Chalk hit a ground ball to shortstop, but Andre Romine bobbled it and both runners were safe. A sac-bunt from Andy Parrino advanced runners to second and third with one out. After a strikeout, Matt Clark came up and delivered a two-out, two-run single to cut the Quakes lead to just a run, 3-2.

The Storm bats woke up in the 4th as Luis Martinez walked with one out and Andy Parrino singled with two outs. Brian Joynt then came up and doubled to right center scoring both runners and scored himself on a bad throw to third from catcher Alberto Rosario to grab a 5-3 lead.

Rancho would get to within a run in the 6th as Clay Fuller led off the inning by reaching on an error by shortstop Beamer Weems. After Alberto Rosario was hit by a pitch, PJ Phillips followed with a sac-bunt to move runner to second and third. Andrew Romine stepped to the plate and delivered an RBI single to bring the Quakes within a run, 5-4.

The Quakes would wake up the bats with two outs in the 7th as Abe Nieves beat out an infield single to bring Clay Fuller to the plate. Nick Vincent was on the mound for the Storm and had allowed two previous home runs to Fuller in '09. Fuller would have 2-2 count on him before blasting a two-run home run to give the Quakes a 6-5 lead.

Rancho's bullpen was outstanding with Jeremy Haynes, Robert Fish, Taylor Wilding and Michael Kohn going the final four innings allowing no runs on two hits while striking out five. Kohn struck out the side in the 9th to earn the save.

Rancho will head to Lake Elsinore for the second game of the best of three series with the Storm. Manuel Flores will be on the mound for the Quakes against right hander Wynn Pelzer for the Storm. Game time is scheduled for 7:05pm.

Quakes win, Quakes win

Shake Rattle and Roll