Fresno falters late, Rancho Cucamonga walks-off 15-14 in wild slugfest

Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Friday, July 15) – The Fresno Grizzlies (52-33, 11-8) dropped a 15-14 heartbreaker to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (45-40, 9-10) Friday night from LoanMart Field. Rancho Cucamonga ended the wild slugfest with a bases-loaded, two-out infield walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth. With the loss, Fresno fell to 10-6 against the Dodgers Single-A affiliate.

The top two California League offensive clubs combined to score 29 runs on 36 hits, 12 walks and five errors. There were four lead changes with the walk-off being the difference maker. The Grizzlies scored in five straight innings, including five runs in the seventh and four runs in the fifth. The Quakes had an answer for the Fresno offense, countering with five matching or better frames, with a game-high six runs in the fifth.

The Grizzlies lineup tied a season-high with 20 hits while every batter reached base at least once. Seven of the nine batters recorded at least one hit with six of the players notching multiple hits. Four batters tallied two or more RBI and scored multiple runs. Yanquiel Fernandez and Juan Brito achieved four hits apiece with Fernandez driving in four runs. Brito concluded his contest a homer shy of the cycle. He provided three RBI and two runs. Bryant Quijada smacked a career-high three hits with one of them leaving the park. It was Quijada’s second longball of the year. Like Quijada, Adael Amador also had a trio of hits, three runs and a pair of RBI. Amador, Brito and Fernandez rocked back-to-back-to-back RBI doubles with two outs in the seventh.

The other five batters in the Fresno lineup also had successful evenings. Zach Kokoska swatted three singles with one of them picking up one RBI. Juan Guerrero laced a double among his two hits. AJ Lewis continued to swing a hot bat, plating one run. EJ Andrews Jr. and Aiverson Rodriguez rounded out the order with two walks and three runs scored.

On the other side, the Quakes offense logged 15 runs on 16 hits and eight walks. All nine starters earned a hit with four batters attaining multiple rips. Jake Vogel led the charge with three singles and one double. He raced home twice and drove in one run. Damon Keith relished a bases-clearing double, which gave him three of his four total RBI. Austin Gauthier reached base four times and scored another three runs. Gaige Howard blasted his first wallop of 2022, a solo shot in the fourth. Finally, third baseman Luis Diaz clobbered three singles and had a game-best five RBI. Diaz enjoyed the walk-off infield single in the ninth, finalizing a perfect evening for him.

Grizzlies starter Brayan Castillo did not factor in the decision after four innings of work. Angel Chivilli was fantastic out of the bullpen. The youngster struck out two over two and one-third frames. Felix Ramires (1-2) suffered the loss despite a strong outing overall. Quakes righty River Ryan also took a no-decision after four innings of one-run ball. Martin Santana (4-2) received the victory after one clean frame. The squads are back to battle tomorrow night from LoanMart Field.

Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)

• RF Yanquiel Fernandez (4-6, 2B, 4 RBI, R)

• 2B Juan Brito (4-6, 3B, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R)

• SS Adael Amador (3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, BB, 2 SB)

• C Bryant Quijada (3-4, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, BB)

Top Performers: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Los Angeles Dodgers)

• 3B Luis Diaz (3-6, 5 RBI, R, SB; walk-off 1B)

• RF Damon Keith (1-5, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R, BB)

• CF Jake Vogel (4-6, 2B, RBI, 2 R)

• LF Gaige Howard (1-5, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB)

On Deck:

Saturday, July 16 @ Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Fresno RHP Victor Juarez (4-2, 4.35) vs. Rancho Cucamonga LHP Andrew Heaney (Rehab), 6:30 pm PT

ON THAT FRES-NOTES:

The Grizzlies allowed season-highs in runs (15) and hits (16).

Fresno suffered their third walk-off loss of the year.