Bats Power Quakes to Sweep of Inland Empire
San Bernardino, CA - The Quakes completed a four-game sweep of Inland Empire on Sunday night with a 6-3 win over their South Division rivals. With the victory, Rancho improves to 10-1 in the Second Half and they have taken 10 in a row from the 66ers.
After scoring a combined eight runs in the first three games of the series, Rancho Cucamonga (10-1, 42-39) put six runs and 12 hits on the board on Sunday. In the first inning, Aaron Miller doubled down the right field line to score Adam Law. Two batters later, Miller came in to score on a two-out single by Steven Proscia that put the Quakes up 2-0.
Inland Empire scored the game's next three runs to take a brief 3-2 at the end of four innings. In the top of the fifth, Rancho got right back into the game. With one out, Brandon Dixon smacked his eighth home run of the year to left field that tied the game. Two batters later, Chris Jacobs crushed his 16th long ball of the year to left-center field that gave the Quakes a 4-3 edge.
It looked like the two teams would play another one-run game, but the Quakes got a little separation in the seventh inning. After retiring the first two hitters of the inning, Inland Empire starter Dan Tobik (1-5, 5.19) gave up a single to Aaron Miller and was removed from the game. Reliever Michael Smith walked Chris Jacobs, and a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third base. Once again, it was Proscia who came through with two outs. He doubled down the left field line to give the Quakes a 6-3 lead.
The lead was more than enough for the Quakes' bullpen. After a shaky start from Fabio Martinez, Dan Tillman (2-0, 6.45) allowed just one man to reach base in 1.2 innings. Craig Stem followed with three strikeouts in two scoreless innings. Dan Coulombe pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his third save of the year.
The Quakes got good offensive performances from a number of players as well. Aaron Miller finished a home run shy of they cycle. In his first game since May 26, Jeremy Rathjen went 3-for-3 and reached base four times. All three of Steven Proscia's RBIs came with two outs.
Monday is an off day for the entire California League. Rancho returns home on Tuesday for an three-game series against High Desert (7-4, 41-40). Jharel Cotton (2-5, 6.22) gets the start for Rancho against Dylan Unsworth (5-7, 6.93) for the Mavericks. First pitch is at 7:05 pm and the game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports AM 1350 starting with the LoanMart Pregame Report at 6:50 pm.
Rancho returns to LoanMart Field on Tuesday, July 1 for a three-game series against High Desert. The series opener is a Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday. Fans who bring in ten (10) CRV-eligible bottles and cans will receive a free club-level ticket to LoanMart Field! Wednesday, July 2 is Terra Vista Animal Hospital Bark in the Ballpark. Bring your dog to the game for just $3, with all proceeds going to the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Shelter. The series concludes with our biggest night of the year. On July 3, fans will be treated to a patriotic Fireworks Spectacular after the game thanks to Cagle's Appliance Center. Tickets are available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you at LoanMart Field in July! Go Quakes!