66ers Edge Quakes to Increase Lead in South

San Bernardino, CA – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes dropped a tough one on Tuesday night in San Bernardino, as the Inland Empire 66ers got a late run to take game one of a crucial six-game series, winning 4-3 at San Manuel Stadium.

A sac fly off the bat of Kevin Watson, Jr. broke a 3-3 tie and put Inland Empire ahead to stay, giving the 66ers a six-game lead with just 11 to play.

Inland Empire got consecutive one-out singles off Quakes’ reliever Jacob Meador (0-1). With runners at first and third, Watson delivered a deep fly ball, scoring Arol Vera from third with the winning run.

In the ninth, Dalton Rushing was hit by a pitch with one out by 66ers’ closer Kenyon Yovan. Yovan recovered though, as he struck out Yeiner Fernandez and Nick Biddison to end it, securing his fourth save.

Fernandez homered earlier for Rancho, his tenth of the year, tying the game at 3-3 in the fifth.

Taylor Young also went deep for the first time professionally, as his two-run homer in the fourth put Rancho ahead, 2-1.

66ers’ reliever Michael Derrel-Hicks (2-0) was credited with the win, as he tossed a scoreless eighth.

Rancho left 11 men on base on Tuesday night and mustered just seven hits while seeing their four-game winning streak on the road come to an end.

BJ Boyd had two hits and drove in the first three 66ers’ runs to help give Inland Empire a five-game winning streak overall.

Rancho (28-27, 64-57) has not officially named a starter for Wednesday’s game, while Inland Empire will throw Kelvin Caceres. First pitch from San Manuel Stadium will be 7:05pm.

The Quakes will return for the final home stand of the regular season on Tuesday, September 6, as they host the Lake Elsinore Storm for a Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday. Tickets are available at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you at LoanMart Field...Go Quakes!