Quakes Come Back, Beat Mavs in Extras

Adelanto, CA - Rancho rallied from a six-run deficit to force extra innings before holding on late to take down the High Desert Mavericks 9-8 in 12 innings on Wednesday night. It was the Quakes' first win of the year when trailing after eight innings, and the team improved to 7-5 in extra-innings contests.

Rancho Cucamonga (26-20, 58-58) trailed 6-0 at the end of six innings before rallying over the game's final three frames. The Quakes had just two hits in six innings versus High Desert's Scott DeCecco before scoring four times in the seventh. Jeremy Rathjen put Rancho on the board with a solo home run to left field. The long ball was Rathjen's 13th of the year and his ninth since the All-Star Break.

Later in the frame, Steven Prosica doubled to score Aaron Miller from first. Pratt Maynard followed with an RBI double to bring Proscia home. After DeCecco had been taken out of the game, Maynard scored on an RBI single from James Baldwin to make it 6-4.

Rancho pulled a run closer in the eighth inning. Casio Grider led off with a double against Grady Wood. With two outs, Proscia singled Grider home. The former Maverick Proscia finished the night 4-for-5 with two runs batted in.

It looked like the Quakes' late rally would come up just short after Wood retired the first two batters of the ninth inning. With two outs, Burt Reynolds dropped an Adam Law fly ball and the game continued. Grider made the Mavs pay with an RBI single on the next pitch to tie the game 6-6 and force extras.

The game remained tied until the 12th inning. Rancho relievers Luis Meza, Luis Chirinos and Craig Stem combined to shut out the Mavericks on three hits over 5.2 innings of relief.

With the game still tied in the top of the 12th, Rancho put Chris Jacobs and Aaron Miller aboard thanks to a pair of walks from Nick Valenza (0-1, 10.13). Pratt Maynard scored both on a double down the right-field line to give Rancho their first lead of the game. Manyard finished the game 4-for-6 with a trio of RBIs. With two outs in the inning, Baldwin singled home Maynard and Rancho had a 9-6 edge.

Gustavo Gomez (2-2, 6.46) walked the tightrope in the home-half of the 12th. After getting the first two men easily, High Desert got four-straight hits to make it a one-run game. With the tying run on third base, Gomez got Zach Shank to ground out to shortstop Casio Grider to end the ballgame.

Chris Anderson cruised in his first four innings, giving up just one hit and two walks. High Desert (21-24, 55-60) would not let him get out of the fifth. After striking out Reynolds, Anderson allowed eight straight men to reach before being removed from the game. The Mavs scored six runs (five earned) on seven hits against the righty in the fifth inning.

The win keeps Rancho tied with Lancaster atop the South Division at 26-20 in the Second Half standings. Rancho finishes the season series against High Desert with an 11-13 record and a 5-8 mark at Heritage Field.

Rancho's stretch of seven-straight road games continues on Thursday night as the Quakes begin a four-game series against the Inland Empire 66ers at San Manuel Stadium. Julio Urias (1-1, 2.84) is slated to start for Rancho against Dan Tobik (2-6, 4.80). 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 home on August 12 for a seven-game home stand starting with three games against the San Jose Giants. Tuesday, August 12 is a Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday! Bring 10 CRV-eligible bottles and cans to the ballpark and receive a free club-level ticket thanks to the City of Rancho Cucamonga and the Healthy RC Program! Wednesday, August 13 is a Terra Vista Animal Hospital Bark in the Ballpark! Bring your four-legged friend to the game for just $3, with proceeds going to the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Shelter. Thursday, August 14, is a Thirsty Thursday! Get 24-oz. Pepsi products and 16-oz. domestic drafts for just $2 while 16-oz. premium drafts, wine, champagne and margaritas are only $3 thanks to Bernards Construction! Tickets are still available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you at LoanMart Field for the next home stand! Go Quakes!