Quakes Drop Series Opener to Storm
Lake Elsinore, CA - Rancho Cucamonga gave up 20 hits to Lake Elsinore in a 15-4 loss to the Storm in on Monday night at The Diamond. Rancho scored four runs in the ninth, but fell a game back of the Storm in the Second Half standings.
Lake Elsinore (22-15, 62-45) scored in each of the first seven innings. Up 3-0, the Storm scored six times and sent 11 men to the plate in the third inning. Luis Chirinos (0-1, 27.00) was taken out of his first Cal League game after giving up a two-run double to Gabriel Quintana. Chirinos allowed six runs on five hits in two innings of work.
Gustavo Gomez did not fare much better in relief. He gave up consecutive home runs to the first two batters he faced in the inning. Later in the third, Gomez gave up an RBI double to Jose Rodon. At the end of the inning, it was 9-0 in favor of the Storm.
Lake Elsinore scored once in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings before tacking on three more in the seventh. The eighth was the only frame they failed to score despite two hits against Craig Stem.
The Rancho offense was baffled for most of the night. Storm starter Bryan Rodriguez (6-6, 4.01) struck out six men in six shutout innings to earn his second win over the year over the Quakes.
The Quakes avoided a shutout with four runs on five hits in the ninth inning. Steven Proscia led off with his 14th home run of the year. Rancho added an RBI single from Adam Law and a pair of sacrifice flies in the inning to end the game on a positive note.
Jeremy Rathjen continued his hot hitting with a 3-for-5 night, but the Quakes fell a game back of Lake Elsinore in the South Division. Rancho also dropped to a game below .500 overall.
Rancho will try to rebound in the second of the three-game set on Tuesday night. The Quakes send reigning Cal League Pitcher of the Week Jharel Cotton (4-7, 5.40) to the hill against Storm righty Zach Eflin (9-6, 3.74). First pitch from The Diamond is at 6:05 pm and the game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports AM 1350 starting with the LoanMart Pregame Report at 5:50 pm.
The Quakes return home for a four-game series against Bakersfield on Thursday, July 31 with a Thirsty Thursday! Fans can 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! Tickets are still available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you at LoanMart Field this weekend! Go Quakes!