Quakes Stumble, Face Must-Win Saturday

Rancho Cucamonga, CA- In the second game of a massively important series, the Quakes squandered countless offensive opportunities in a 7-2 loss to Lancaster on Friday night.
The loss means the Quakes must win the last two games of the first half to salvage a tie with the JetHawks for the South Division title, which would set up a tie-breaking game on Thursday in Lancaster.
While the Quakes did not struggle to get runners on, they could not get them in. Rancho went just 2-for-13 with runners-in-scoring-position and they left a season-high 16 runners on base.
Early on, Dodger rehabber Sergio Romo gave up a run in the first inning on an RBI ground out by Brendan Rodgers. Romo finished the night after two innings, allowing one run on three hits while not striking out or walking a batter.
The Quakes came back in the bottom half of the first when Yusniel Díaz doubled home Errol Robinson to tie the game, then Diaz scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-1
Diaz continued his hot hitting in June with a 3-for-5 day. He is now hitting .400 (24-for-60) this month.
In the top of the third, the JetHawks took the lead back off of Yadier Álvarez. Garrett Hampson and Rodgers hit back-to-back sacrifice flies to give Lancaster a 3-2 lead.
The JetHawks added on in the seventh with three runs on two hits and an error off of Alvarez to end his night. Alvarez (1-4) finished after five innings out of the bullpen, giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits while striking out five and walking one.
In the eighth, Lancaster added on another unearned run in the eighth off of reliever Parker Curry to make it 7-2, JetHawks.
JetHawks starter Peter Lambert (5-6) earned the win by throwing five innings and giving up two runs on five hits while striking out four and walking four.
Rancho Cucamonga (35-33) will be back in action on Saturday, June 17, against Lancaster (37-31) for the third game of the important four-game series at 7:05 pm. Left-hander Devin Smeltzer (1-0) is scheduled to start for the Quakes while the JetHawks will counter with righty Jesus Tinoco (4-1).
Saturday will be a Massage Envy Fireworks Night! Everyone will enjoy a post-game Fireworks Show, thanks to Massage Envy! Quakes players will also be wearing special teal pinstriped 25th Season jerseys on the field, which will be auctioned off at the end of the year, with the proceeds benefiting the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital's Vision 2020 Campaign. The MVP gates will open at 5:45 and the main gates will open at 6:05. Tickets are available at 909-481-5000 or rcquakes.com. Go Quakes!