DeLuca Walk-Off Blast Wins It

Rancho Cucamonga, CA – For the second time in six days, the Quakes got a come-from-behind win on a walk-off home run, as Rancho rallied for a 4-3 win on Thursday night over Inland Empire.

Jonny DeLuca’s two-run 450-foot shot to left-center field gave the Quakes their second ninth-inning win on their current home stand, as a sold-out crowd at LoanMart Field celebrated the sixth Rancho win in nine tries on the home stand.

The 66ers got a run on a passed ball in the top of the ninth inning against eventual winner Franklin De La Paz (1-0), taking a 3-2 lead to the last of the ninth.

Inland Empire reliever Julio Goff (3-1) lost Brandon Lewis on a 3-2 pitch, walking the tying run to start the inning, bringing up DeLuca. Two pitches into the at-bat, DeLuca smashed his second homer in as many nights and fourth of the year, sending the sell-out crowd into hysteria.

The Quakes had just four hits on the night, a season-low for a winning effort.

Rancho (14-12) now owns a two-game lead over Inland Empire in the South Division standings. Rancho will look for three of four over the 66ers on Friday night, sending right-hander Robbie Peto (0-1) to the mound against 66ers right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (1-1). Game time on Friday is 6:30pm.

The game can be heard live, with the pregame show starting at 6:15pm with Mike Lindskog. To listen live, visit our website at rcquakes.com and click the Listen Live button, open the iheart radio app and find the RC Quakes Radio channel or on the tune-in radio app, by searching keyword Quakes. Have Amazon Alexa or a Google Home, you can use voice command to get the Quakes too, by enabling the Alexa and Google Skills for both iHeart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

We hope to see you at LoanMart Field very soon!