Quakes Conclude 2026 Season with Historic Win in Ontario

Ontario, Calif. – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (30-36, 66-66) overcame an early deficit and pulled away late, taking down the Ontario Tower Buzzers (38-28, 71-61) to finish the 2026 by locking down their first-ever series victory over the California League’s newest team.

The Tower Buzzers wasted no time kicking their offense into gear as they broke through in the run column in the bottom of the first. Kellon Lindsey got hit by a pitch and walks to Ching-Hsien Ko and Joendry Vargas immediately loaded the bases, setting the stage for the middle of the order. Easton Shelton and Caleb Johnson took advantage of the opportunity, each lifting sacrifice flies to establish a 2-0 advantage.

However, the Quakes did not take long to cancel the pair. A Jack O’Connor wild pitch allowed Joswa Lugo to cross home plate in the top of the third, and Lucas Ramirez pulled Rancho Cucamonga level one frame later, blasting a solo home run to tie the score at two.

Gabriel Davalillo kept the momentum going into the top of the fifth as he fired the Quakes into the lead. He launched a solo home run of his own, boosting them ahead 3-2.

Trailing for the first time, the Tower Buzzers promptly threatened to pull back in front. Lindsey and Oswaldo Osorio drew walks, sandwiching a Conner O’Neal single to load the bases in the bottom of the sixth, placing both the potential tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. In need of a big out, Marco Vega stepped up from the bullpen for the Quakes. The right-hander induced a flyout to escape the jam, preserving the slim edge.

Rancho Cucamonga followed up the tightrope act by rallying for two runs in the top of the seventh, adding on a pair of vital insurance runs. Lugo laced a double while Davalillo and Anyelo Marquez both worked free passes, loading the bases with one out. John Wimmer then drew a bases-loaded walk, and Ramirez legged out a fielder’s choice, resulting in a 6-2 cushion.

Their bats continued to produce over the final two innings, ultimately putting the game out of reach. Davalillo ripped a double to the center field wall, plating Lugo from first base in the top of the eighth, and Jonathan Linares belted a two-run home run one frame later, taking an 8-2 contest into the bottom of the ninth.

Johnson connected on a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth, but the damage proved too much for Ontario to overcome. Angelo Smith calmly collected the final two outs, finishing off the win.

After the first three sets between these two squads ended in splits, the Quakes ensured not only their first-ever series victory over the Tower Buzzers but also the first of the new rivalry.

The Quakes return to Morongo Field in April 2027, kicking off their second season back in the Angels organization as well as the second as their Single-A affiliate.