Inland Takes Fourth Straight Over Rancho

Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Quakes dropped their fourth straight game to Inland Empire on Saturday, as the 66ers held on for a 7-6 win over Rancho at LoanMart Field.

Despite rallying from a 3-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead, Rancho was forced to try and rally again, but instead fell short and dropped their second straight series to a south opponent.

Tied at 4-4 in the fifth, Inland Empire right fielder Raudi Rodriguez clubbed his fourth homer of the series, his tenth of the year, giving the 66ers the lead for good over Rancho starter Sterling Patick (1-4) at 5-4.

After the 66ers got two more to take a 7-4 lead, Jose Meza answered in the bottom of the inning, as his two-run homer and sixth of the year made it 7-6.

That’s where the scoring stopped though, as the Inland Empire bullpen got two innings of shutout relief from both Stone Hulett and Zach Redner, who earned his first save of the year.

Inland Empire starter Chris Clark (2-7) gave up six runs over five innings, but locked up the win.

Nico Perez cracked his first homer of the year and finished with two hits to help lead Rancho’s 10-hit attack.

The Quakes (7-13, 48-38) will send Nicolas Cruz (3-2) to the mound on Sunday in the series-finale, as he’s scheduled to take on Francis Texido (1-7) at 2pm.

Kids will “Run the Bases” after Sunday’s game, thanks to San Antonio Regional Hospital. Tickets are available at rcquakes.com. Go Quakes!