Rancho Shuts Out Stockton to Snap Skid

Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Rancho Cucamonga used four pitchers to shut out the powerful Stockton Ports 3-0 in Sunday's series finale at LoanMart Field. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Quakes.

Rancho Cucamonga (30-33, 62-71) scored early for the second game in a row. Erisbel Arruebarrena, who was optioned to Rancho from the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the day, smacked a homer to left field to Rancho a 1-0 lead. It was his first home run in five games with the Quakes.

That was all the damage Rancho could do against Stockton's Chris Lamb (4-5, 3.10). Lamb took the loss despite a fantastic outing, striking out a stunning 17 batters in seven innings while walking just one. At one point, Lamb tied a California League record with ten consecutive strikeouts.

Jharel Cotton (6-10, 4.04) turned in another fantastic start for the Quakes, pitching 5.2 shutout innings while striking out six and walking one. He retired the last 10 hitters he faced before turning the ball over to the Rancho bullpen.

Rancho's relievers had struggled for much of August, but they combined to keep Stockton (42-21, 79-54) off the board in 3.1 innings of work. Geoff Brown retired all four men he faced, and Victor Araujo tossed a scoreless eighth in his second Rancho outing.

The Quakes added a pair of insurance runs in the eight inning after Lamb exited the game. With two on and none out, Arruebarrena came through again with a double to right-center against Nolan Sanburn. The Quakes made it 3-0 with an RBI groundout from Jeremy Rathjen later in the inning.

Dan Tillman made this late lead stick for Rancho with a scoreless ninth. He gave up a single and a walk, but induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play from Tyler Marincov to earn his first save of the season.

It was the sixth time this year that the Quakes have shut out an opponent, and the eighth time that the Ports have been blanked. The Ports lead the Cal League in home runs, but Rancho kept them from going yard in three games at LoanMart Field.

Rancho managed to win despite striking out 18 times in eight innings. The victory snapped the team's losing streak at seven games, and the Quakes remain two games back in the South Division.

The Quakes and the rest of the California League take Monday off before returning to action on Tuesday. Rancho hosts Inland Empire for three games in the team's final home series of the 2014 regular season. Luis Chirinos (0-2, 7.11) goes for Rancho against Inland Empire's Trevor Foss in the series opener (3-0, 4.73). 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.

The final home series begins with a Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday! Bring 10 CRV-eligible bottles and cans to the ballpark, and receive a free club-level ticket to the game thanks to the City of Rancho Cucamonga and the Healthy RC Program! Wednesday is a Terra Vista Animal Hospital Bark in the Ballpark! Bring your dog to LoanMart Field for just $3 with proceeds going to the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Shelter. The home finale features a postgame Fireworks Spectacular thanks to Metro Nissan of Montclair, in addition to Thirsty Thursday drink specials! Fans can get 24-oz. Pepsi products and 16-oz. domestic drafts for only $2, while 16-oz. premium drafts, wine, champagne and margaritas are $3! All three games begin at 7:05 pm and tickets are available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you at LoanMart Field during the final home series of the regular season! Go Quakes!