Comeback Falls Short in San Jose

San Jose, CA - Rancho rallied to score the final four runs of the ballgame on Thursday night, but couldn't stave off their seventh straight defeat in San Jose. The losing streak is the second longest of the season for the Quakes.

A slow start ultimately doomed Rancho Cucamonga (18-9, 50-47). Three straight hits and a Rob Garvey error in the first inning gave San Jose (16-11, 50-47) an early 3-0 edge over the Quakes. Because of the error, only one of the three runs was earned.

Jeremy Rathjen got Rancho on the board in the third inning with a solo home run off of Chris Stratton (7-8, 5.01). The home run was Rathjen's sixth of the season.

After a tough first inning, Jharel Cotton (3-7, 5.88) rebounded well. He did not give up a hit in his next three innings, retiring 10 men in a row at one point. He struck out six men in his first four innings.

Cotton ran into trouble in the sixth inning. With one out, four straight Giants reached base. Blake Miller's RBI double put San Jose up three. The lead would grow to six on Brian Ragira's three-run blast to left field.

Down 7-1, the Quakes fought their way back. They opened the seventh inning with four straight hits. Aaron Miller led off with a triple and scored on a single by Chris Jacobs. Tyler Ogle doubled to put two men in scoring position with none out. Steven Proscia's RBI single scored Jacobs, and Ogle came in on a groundout by Kyle Farmer. At the stretch, Rancho had made it a 7-4 game.

Rancho got a leadoff triple for a second-straight inning in the eighth. Rob Garvey then scored on Adam Law's groundout to cut the deficit to two runs, but that was as close as the Quakes would get.

Rancho Cucamonga has lost seven games in a row. Their longest losing streak of 2014 came in April, when the Quakes dropped nine consecutive contests.

The Quakes will try to turn the tide in Friday's series finale at Municipal Stadium. Julio Urias (1-1, 3.44) will make his first start since Sunday's Futures Game against San Jose righty Kendry Flores (3-6, 4.64). First pitch is at 7:00 pm and the game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports AM 1350 starting with the LoanMart Pregame Report at 6:45 pm. 

The Quakes return home for four games with High Desert on July 24. Thursday, July 24 is a Thirsty Thursday at LoanMart Field! Fans can enjoy 24-oz. Pepsi products and 16-oz. domestic drafts for just $2, while 16-oz. premium drafts, wine, champagne and margaritas are only $3. On Friday, July 25, the first 1,500 fans through the gates will receive a Zack Greinke Bobblehead thanks to Waba Grill Teriyaki House! Both games start at 7:05 pm. Tickets are still available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you soon at LoanMart Field! Go Quakes!