66ers Edge Quakes 2-1 in Pitchers' Duel
San Bernardino, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers made it consecutive victories and guaranteed themselves a series-win over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes with a 2-1 win on Sunday at San Manuel Stadium. The Sixers scored both their runs in the first inning and the pitching staff fanned 12 men as Inland Empire (39-40, 5-5) improved to 8-3 against the Southern Division's top team.
The Sixers scored two runs in the first off Quakes starter Jeff Brigham (4-4). Bo Way was hit by a pitch with one out and Eric Aguilera then doubled him in for a 1-0 lead. For Aguilera it was his 19th double of the year and 58th RBI. Aguilera eventually scored on Roberto Baldoquin's RBI infield single to make it 2-0.
Rancho Cucamonga (46-34, 5-5) answered in the top of the second against 66ers' starter Sean Newcomb as DH Josmer Cordero drilled his first homer of the season over the wall in left. The homer made it 2-1.
Both pitchers dominated from that point on. Brigham allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out a season-high nine over five innings. Newcomb gutted his way through six frames for the home club allowing four hits and four walks while striking out five.
The bullpens were stout. Inland Empire got 1.2 perfect innings of work from righty Michael Smith with four Ks. The Mansfield, TX native injured his arm on a 0-2 pitch to Erisbel Arruebarrena and had to leave the game in the eighth. Ronnie Muck came in and finished off the batter on one pitch. Muck gave up a leadoff double in the top of the ninth but stranded the potential tying runner there as he retired the next three batters to earn his second save of the season. Newcomb earned the win and improved to 4-1.
The series concludes Monday at 7:05 pm. It can be heard live at 66ers.com.