Sweeney Hits for Cycle in Quakes' Win

Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Darnell Sweeney hit for the cycle and Duke Von Schamann won his fourth consecutive start as the Quakes opened their three-game home stand with a convincing 9-3 win over the Inland Empire 66ers on Tuesday night at LoanMart Field.

Sweeney became the second Quake in the Dodger era to hit for the cycle, as he finished with four hits, three runs scored and two RBIs, helping the Quakes to win for the fifth time in their last six games.

Von Schamann gave up a run in the first, but Sweeney tied it in the bottom of the inning, connecting for a solo homer, his third of the year, off 66ers' starter Austin Wood, tying the game at 1-1. 

The Quakes, who scored at least one run in each of their first six innings, took the lead for good in the second, as Ryan Mount doubled home Scott Schebler for a 2-1 lead.

Rancho added two more in the third, followed by two more in the fourth, taking a commanding 6-1 lead.

Inland Empire's Zach Wright homered off Von Schamann in the fifth, as the 66ers cut Rancho's lead to 6-2 with his first long-ball of the year.

Rancho countered in the bottom of the frame though, as Ryan Mount answered with his third homer of the year, a two-run shot to make it 8-2 against reliever Alex Burkard.

Needing a double to complete the cycle, Sweeney grounded an 0-2 pitch down the right-field line for a lead-off two-bagger in the bottom of the sixth. Angelo Songco, who was the last Quake to record a cycle, appropriately knocked him in to complete the Rancho scoring, as his RBI groundout made it 9-2.

Von Schamann (4-1) turned in a quality start, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings, before giving the ball to Raydel Sanchez. Sanchez allowed a ninth-inning homer to Zachary Borenstein, his league-leading tenth, but finished the final three innings to earn his first save of the year. 

The Quakes finished with 13 hits offensively, ten of which went for extra bases. 

Rancho (17-15) looks to make it two straight over their I-10 rivals on Wednesday morning, sending James Campbell to the mound at 10:35am. His mound opponent will be lefty Kramer Sneed of the 66ers.

Wednesday is Education Day, as area students will be visiting LoanMart Field to learn more about America's Past Time. Wednesday's game also represents a great chance for local business leaders to come watch the Quakes under the daytime sky in one of two special early-morning games. 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!