Rancho Drops Series Finale to Storm
Rancho Cuccamonga, CA - Rancho couldn't recover from a slow start on Thursday night as they lost to Lake Elsinore 7-3 in the series finale. The Quakes were held hitless over the game's first six innings and they lost for just a third time in the Second Half.
Lake Elsinore's Bryan Rodriguez (4-5, 4.08) stymied the Rancho offense in seven innings of work. He did not allow a hit in his first 6.1 innings. He struck out seven and only walked one batter to earn the victory.
Lake Elsinore (13-8, 53-38) scored the first seven runs of the game off of Rancho's Fabio Martinez (4-5, 4.88). With the Storm up 1-0 in the fourth inning, three straight Lake Elsinore batters reached base with two outs on two walks and an error. Gabriel Quintana made Rancho pay with a grand slam to left field that gave the Storm a 5-0 lead. It was the second grand slam for Lake Elsinore this year, and both have come against Fabio Martinez.
Martinez gave up two more runs, including a solo home run to Jeremy Baltz in the fourth inning. In 5.2 innings of work, he allowed seven runs on nine hits while walking four batters.
Rancho Cucamonga (18-3, 50-41) didn't record a hit until the seventh. With one out, Aaron Miller ended the no-hit bid and the shutout with a home run to right field. His 10th long ball of the year made it a 7-1 game.
The Quakes edged closer in the eighth inning. With two outs and a runner aboard, Corey Seager crushed a home run off the right field scoreboard at LoanMart Field. The home run was Seager's 18th of the year and it cut the deficit to four runs, but that was as close as the Quakes would get.
Rancho welcomes Lancaster to town for a four-game series beginning on Friday. Jharel Cotton (3-5, 5.73), who struck out a career-high ten batters in his last start, faces Lancaster's Lance McCullers (3-3, 4.50). 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.
The series opener against Lancaster is a Family RV $1 Family Feast Night! Pepsi products, hot dogs and ice cream sandwiches are all just $1 at LoanMart Field, thanks to Family RV! 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!