Quakes Get Bats Started Too Late in Visalia

Visalia, Calif. – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (20-29, 56-59) could not get their game-saving rally started with enough time to spare on Tuesday night at Valley Strong Ballpark as they dropped their series opener to the Visalia Rawhide (19-30, 47-68) 3-2.

Visalia got all the offense they needed in the first two innings, putting the Quakes in an early hole. Ryder Helfrick launched a solo home run in the bottom of the first, and following an Enyervert Perez walk and a Jake Duer double, Adriel Rodney’s single plated two more runs, boosting the Rawhide ahead 3-0.

In the meantime, Visalia starter Daury Vasquez held the Quakes offense in check. He worked around two hits and four walks to throw five shutout innings, striking out five batters as well.

After the early damage, Rancho Cucamonga found their groove on the mound. Talon Haley finished off his start by tossing two scoreless frames before handing the ball over to the bullpen. Jakob Guardado and Marco Vega each twirled a pair of spotless innings, maintaining the deficit at three runs heading into their final turn at bat.

Down to their final strike, the Quakes sprang to action, keeping their chances of a comeback win alive. Jeffery Heard blooped a double into left field, and the very next hitter, Samil Dishmey, crushed a two-run home run, sending the tying run to the plate.

However, Rancho Cucamonga could not muster any more late magic, ultimately falling one run short at night's end

The Quakes return to Valley Strong Ballpark on Wednesday at 6:35 PM for game two of their six-game series against the Rawhide. RHP Trey Gregory-Alford takes the ball for Rancho Cucamonga opposite LHP Wilkin Paredes for Visalia. Baseball returns to Morongo Field on August 25th at 6:30 PM as the Lake Elsinore Storm come to town on Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday and Two Dollar Tuesday.