Quakes Take Command of Wild Card with Win
Rancho Cucamonga, CA - The Quakes made two runs and four hits hold up on Wednesday night, as they shut out the High Desert Mavericks at LoanMart Field, increasing their wild card lead with a 2-0 win.
Rancho's third straight win overall and their fourth straight head-to-head over High Desert, gives the Quakes a 1 ½ game lead over the Mavs, with just five games remaining in the regular season for Rancho Cucamonga.
Quakes' starter Gustavo Gomez (5-6) was effectively wild, as he walked four batters over five scoreless innings, but allowed just one hit.
The Quakes backed him with an early run, as Scott Schebler walked two batters into the game, then scored on O'Koyea Dickson's RBI triple off of Mavs' starter Bobby Shore (5-5), putting Rancho up 1-0.
The score didn't change again until the fifth, when Chris Jacobs blasted a solo homer off Mavs' reliever Andrew Kittredge, his 13th of the year to put the Quakes in front by two.
Eric Eadington, Juan Noriega and Craig Stem finished it off, with Stem working a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save of the year.
The Quakes (32-33, 63-72) have just one game remaining against High Desert, then four with the Lancaster JetHawks, who come to LoanMart Field on Friday in the final series of the regular season.
Thursday night at LoanMart Field will be a huge night, as not only will the Quakes attempt to sweep the Mavs and take a 2 ½ lead in the wild card, but Matt Kemp is scheduled to join the Quakes on a rehab assignment.
Freddie Cabrera (3-4) will throw for the Quakes in the series-finale, while the Mavs send Stephen Landazuri (5-7) to the bump, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm.
Fans will enjoy our final Thirsty Thursday of the year, with $2 domestic 16-oz drafts, $2 Pepsi products, $3 Wilson Creek Winery Almond Champagne, $3 Wine from the Wine Tailor and $3 Margaritas. Gates open at 6:05pm and game time is 7:05pm. Tickets are available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you very soon at LoanMart Field. Go Quakes!