Cal League Prevails Over Carolina League
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA - The California League stormed back from an early deficit, topping the Carolina League 9-2 in the 19th California-Carolina League All-Star Game, presented by WaBa Grill, at LoanMart Field on Tuesday night.
With a sold-out crowd of 4,702 in attendance, the California League jumped ahead in the third inning against Potomac Nationals' right-hander Nick Pivetta. In a 1-1 tie, Ryan McMahon of Modesto started the inning with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball by Potomac catcher Spencer Kieboom. The Quakes' Brandon Trinkwon walked and Brett Phillips of Lancaster delivered a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring McMahon. The Quakes' Cody Bellinger ripped a double to the right-center field gap, plating Trinkwon, his Rancho Cucamonga teammate, for a 3-1 California League advantage.
The home team added to its margin in the fourth against Frederick left-hander Mitch Horacek. Jordan Patterson of Modesto had a leadoff single. His Nuts' teammate, McMahon, followed with a base-hit to right. Trinkwon singled to right field, scoring Patterson. Phillips also singled to right, chasing McMahon home. Hunter Cole of San Jose hit a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Trinkwon to trot home and extend the lead to 6-1.
The California League padded its lead in the sixth against Winston-Salem right-hander James Dykstra. Austin Slater of San Jose opened the inning with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After McMahon's groundout advanced Slater to third, Trinkwon singled him home for his second RBI of the contest. Modesto's Raimel Tapia singled to center field and Ryan Cordell of High Desert delivered a base-hit up the middle, scoring Trinkwon. Bellinger came through with his second RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly to left field, plating Tapia for a 9-1 cushion.
The Carolina League grabbed the early edge in the first inning against Visalia starter Zack Godley. Ramon Torres of Wilmington reached on an infield hit and stole second base. After a wild pitch advanced Torres to third, another wild pitch with Lynchburg's Nellie Rodriguez at the plate allowed Torres to race home with the game's opening run.
The California League evened the score in the bottom of the second against Myrtle Beach's Duane Underwood, Jr. Alex Burg of High Desert smacked a leadoff double to right field. Burg advanced to third on a wild pitch as Lancaster's A.J. Reed walked. With no outs and runners at the corners, Patterson grounded into a double play, but Burg scored to knot the Mid-Summer Classic at 1-1.
The California League now holds the upper-hand in the all-time series between the Class A-Advanced circuits, winning nine games. The Carolina League has claimed eight contests and there have been two ties.
The two leagues will return to regularly scheduled play on Thursday. The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes will head to Lake Elsinore to begin a four-game weekend series against the Storm. Starting pitchers have yet to be determined. First pitch at The Diamond is scheduled for 7:00 pm. You can catch all the action on FOX Sports 1350 AM, beginning with the LoanMart Pregame Show at 6:45.
The Quakes return to LoanMart Field on Tuesday, June 30th against High Desert. The series opener is a Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday! Fans who bring ten CRV-eligible bottles and/or cans can receive free club seat admission, thanks to the City of Rancho Cucamonga and the Healthy RC Program! Tickets for all remaining home games are available at (909) 481-5000 or at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you very soon at LoanMart Field…Go Quakes!