Quakes Win in Extras

Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Brandon Dixon's first homer of the year helped Rancho Cucamonga earn just their second win of the year, a 3-2 walk-off win over the Inland Empire 66ers at LoanMart Field on Monday night.

Dixon took Grant Gordon's (0-1) second pitch and rifled it over the left-field wall, giving Rancho their second walk-off win of the home stand and sending the 66ers to their fourth straight loss. 

The Quakes nearly had it wrapped up in regulation, but Inland Empire tallied two runs in the ninth inning to force extras. Held to just one hit through eight innings, the 66ers finally got things going against Quakes' closer Owen Jones. Jose Rondon led off the inning with a single, then scored on an RBI triple off the bat of Cal Towey, making it a 2-1 game. Towey would later score the tying run, as Andrew Ray singled him in, evening the game at 2-2.

The Quakes got a big game from Jeremy Rathjen, who helped to account for the first two Quakes' runs. Rathjen clubbed a one-out homer in the bottom of the first, a solo shot off of Inland Empire starter Tyler Deloach, making it 1-0. Rathjen started a two-out rally in the fifth, as he singled and later scored on a 66ers' error, putting Rancho up 2-0.

Stealing the show for the majority of the game was Quakes' pitcher Fabio Martinez, who fired six no-hit innings of scoreless baseball.

Matt Shelton (1-0) earned the win with a scoreless 12th inning.

Rehabbing Dodger right-hander Brian Wilson got the start and worked a scoreless frame for the second time this home stand. Wilson allowed a one-out double, but kept the zero on the board by retiring the final two hitters he faced, including a strikeout of Brian Hernandez. Wilson is slated to start for the third time on the home stand, this coming Wednesday, as the Quakes finish their three-game set with Inland Empire. 

Rancho (2-3) looks to make it two straight on Tuesday evening, sending Chris Anderson (0-1) to the hill for his second start of the young season. Inland Empire (1-4) will counter with lefty Kyle McGowin (0-0) in the middle-game of the series. 

Coming up on Tuesday, it's our first Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday, as fans can bring ten CRV-eligible bottles and/or cans to LoanMart Field for a free Club Seat Ticket. Game time is 7:05pm and tickets are still available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online via rcquakes.com. We hope to see you at LoanMart Field very soon. Go Quakes!