Pitching Leads Way in Seventh Straight Win

Windle earns his fourth straight victory as Quakes hold Mavs to one run

By Brandon Liebhaber

July 3, 2014

Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Fantastic pitching helped Rancho shut down one of the league's best offenses in a 2-1 victory over High Desert on Wednesday night. The Quakes have now won a season-high seven games in a row.

Rancho Cucamonga (12-1, 44-39) held High Desert (7-6, 41-42) to just one run on six hits in the game. Tom Windle (8-4, 3.72) gave up a home run to Tyler Smith in the fourth inning, but was otherwise spotless. He allowed just four hits in six innings of work to pick up his fourth-straight victory.

The Quakes left 11 men on base and were just 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, but their two runs were enough on Wednesday. Aaron Miller's sac fly in the first inning put the Quakes on the board. The game's deciding run was scored in the fifth inning. With men on the corners and nobody out, Chris Jacobs's bloop single to right field scored Brandon Dixon to put Rancho up 2-1.

Out of the bullpen, Craig Stem and Dan Coulombe combined to shut out the Mavs over three innings. Stem struck out three and gave up just one hit in two innings of work. Dan Couulombe picked up the save with two strikeouts in the ninth.

All seven of Rancho's wins during this streak have been decided by three runs or fewer. Each victory has required a save from either Coulombe or Rob Rogers. After going 5-14 in one-run games during the season's First Half, the Quakes are 5-0 since the All-Star Break.

With the win, the Quakes improve to 12-1 in the Second Half and they have won 13 of 14 overall.

The Quakes go for the series sweep on Thursday night at LoanMart Field. First-round draft pick Chris Anderson (5-5, 4.82) gets the ball for Rancho against right-hander Brett Shankin (3-2, 5.31). First pitch is at 7:05 pm and the game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports AM 1350 starting with the LoanMart Pregame Reporte at 6:50 pm.

Thursday night is one of our biggest nights of the year! Fans will be treated to a patriotic July 3rd Fireworks Spectacular after the game thanks to Cagle's Appliance Center. The players will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game, with proceeds going to the Bob Hope USO Ontario! Limited standing room only 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!