Quakes Can't Overcome Stockton's Big First

Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Stockton's seven-run first inning proved too much for the Quakes to overcome in an 8-3 loss to the Ports on Friday night. The loss was Rancho's sixth in a row, and it dropped them two games back in the South Division with nine to play.

Chris Perez (0-1, 33.75) retired just one of the six men he faced in his second rehab start for the Quakes. He did not get hit hard, but Stockton (41-20, 78-53) did push three across on four hits before he was taken out of the game in favor of Gustavo Gomez. Gomez walked in a run before giving up a bases-clearing double to Upland native Daniel Robertson that put the Ports up 7-0 before Rancho had a chance to bat. Stockton sent eleven men to the plate in the frame.

Rancho Cucamonga (29-32, 61-70) answered with a run in the second inning and two more in the third. With one on and two out in the second, Pratt Maynard drove in Chris Jacobs with an RBI double to left-center field that put the Quakes on the board. Maynard finished the game with three doubles in four at-bats.

Brandon Dixon singled with one out in the third to start Rancho's second rally of the game. With two outs, Chris Jacobs hit a high fly ball that carried out of LoanMart Field to make it 7-4 Ports. The homer was his 24th of the year and his third over his last seven games.

The Quakes got no closer than four in the game. Dylan Covey (2-4, 7.45) set season-highs with six innings and seven strikeouts on the mound for the Ports.

Chris Anderson dominated in seven innings of relief in the ballgame. Rancho's scheduled starter opened up the second after Perez's rehab start, giving up just one hit on six hits while striking out 11 and walking one batter. It was Anderson's second-straight seven-inning outing, and the 11 strikeouts set a new career-high.

Victor Araujo made his first appearance with the Quakes since his promotion on Wednesday. Araujo, who posted a 1.32 ERA with Low-A Great Lakes this season, struck out a batter in a scoreless inning of work.

The Quakes are two games back of Lancaster in the South Division in the Second Half, and two games behind High Desert in the Wild Card standings as well. There are just nine games left in the regular season.

Rancho will try to snap their six-game skid in the second game of the series with Stockton on Saturday night. Julio Urias (1-2, 2.68), who has 18 strikeouts in two outings since turning 18, starts for the Quakes against Stockton's Josh Bowman (7-7, 5.01). First pitch is at 7:05 pm and the game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports AM 1350.

After Saturday's game, fans at LoanMart Field will enjoy a Fireworks Spectuacular thanks to National CORE! Tickets are still available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. We hope to se3 you at LoanMart Field in the final home stand of the 2014 season! Go Quakes!