Ferguson, Homers Lead Quakes to Win over Ports

Rancho Cucamonga, CA- In one of the most complete games of their season, Rancho Cucamonga dominated the Stockton Ports in a 9-1 win on Sunday afternoon.
On one side of the ball, Caleb Ferguson was fabulous in his start. Ferguson (6-4) won his fifth consecutive decision by tossing six solid innings to tie a career-high. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out nine (also tied a career high) and walking just one in the win.
On the offensive side, the Quakes blasted three home runs in the game, but it was a double that started the scoring.
18-year-old Keibert Ruiz began by blasting a ball down the right-field line with Johan Mieses at first in the bottom of the second inning off of starter Kyle Friedrichs. Mieses came in to score when the ball was misplayed in right for an error, but Seth Brown was able to recover and Ruiz was thrown out at third trying to stretch the two-bagger to a triple.
Stockton tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth with an RBI double from Brett Siddal off of Ferguson, but the Quakes would take the lead a couple of innings later.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth and Ariel Sandoval at first, Luke Raley smashed a two-run home run to left-center field for his 11^th of the season. The hit extended his team-high hitting streak to 16 games.
One inning later, Ibandel Isabel lifted off with a two-run homer of his own with Drew Jackson aboard to make it 5-1. It was Isabel's 20^th home run of the season to give him the California League lead.
The Quakes' power display continued in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Ruiz knocked home Zach McKinstry with an RBI single to center, Jackson rocketed a three-run shot to left-center field for his seventh home run of the season and it was 9-1.
Friedrichs (1-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in six innings in the loss. The right-hander struck out three and walked two.
Dean Kremer finished off the game for the Quakes by tossing three scoreless innings, just giving up two hits while striking out five to earn his third save of the season.
Rancho Cucamonga (14-10, 50-44) welcomes the Stockton Ports (10-14, 46-49) back into LoanMart Field for the second game of a three-game set on Monday, July 17^th, at 7:05 PM. The Quakes are expected to turn to right-handed All-Star Dennis Santana (5-6), while the Ports will send righty Brandon Bailey (1-0) to the mound.
The MVP gates will open at 5:45 and the main gates will open at 6:05. It will be Social Media Monday! Fans will enjoy viral videos on the video board throughout the night and potentially win great prizes if they follow the Quakes on any social media platform. Tickets are available for Monday's game and all Quakes' home games at 909-481-5000 or rcquakes.com. Go Quakes!