Bullpen Leads the Way in Quakes' Win

San Jose, CA- Rancho's pitching staff was brilliant in a "bullpen day" on Friday to help boost the Quakes to a 6-1 win against San Jose.
On a day when Andrew Thurman started the game and only went three innings, the Quakes held a shutout into the ninth inning in the win.
Thurman threw three scoreless innings with three strikeouts before being replaced by Zach Hartman. In his Quakes' debut, Hartman (1-0) threw four scoreless innings, only allowing two hits while striking out two while earning the win.
Nolan Long pitched a scoreless inning in the eighth in his Rancho debut and Isaac Anderson allowed one run in the ninth.
The Quakes jumped on Giants' starter Jake McCasland in the fourth inning. After Luke Raley reached on a dropped-third-strike, he was wild-pitched to second and then to third. Keibert Ruiz singled him home for the Quakes' first run and Ibandel Isabel then knocked Ruiz in a couple of batters later with an RBI single of his own.
McCasland (4-10) was handed the loss even though he just allowed those two runs in six innings while striking out 10.
In the seventh, Johan Mieses blew the game open. After reliever Caleb Simpson walked the bases loaded, Mieses blasted a three-run double down the right-field line to make it 5-0.
Omar Estevez kept the offense going with a double to lead off the eighth inning and Zach McKinstry traded places with him by doubling himself to make it 6-0.
In the bottom of the ninth, Anderson allowed the Giants to load the bases with one out. Gio Brusa flew out to center field for the second out, but DJ Peters' throw from center was cut off by first baseman Ibandel Isabel and he threw out Bryan Reynolds trying to tag and move to third to end the game.
Thanks to an Inland Empire loss to Visalia, the Quakes now have sole possession of first place in the South Division for the first time since July 8^th.
Rancho Cucamonga (17-11, 53-45) and San Jose (12-16, 42-56) will matchup for the third game of a four-game set in San Jose on Saturday, July 22^nd, at 6:00 PM. The Quakes are expected to turn to left-hander Caleb Ferguson (6-4), while the Giants will send lefty Conner Menez (6-4) to the mound.
The Quakes will be back home on Monday, July 24^th, for the start of a series with the Lancaster JetHawks at 7:05 pm. It will be Social Media Monday. Follow the Quakes on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat for a chance at prizes throughout the night! Tickets are available for Monday's game and all Quakes' home games at 909-481-5000 or rcquakes.com. Go Quakes!