Quakes Ground The Hawks To Secure Series

Rancho Cucamonga, CA- The Quakes returned to win column on Thursday night and overcame a middle inning deficit to take three-of-four over Lancaster and seal the series with an 8-4 victory.
The Quakes scored seven unanswered runs at one point in the game and Dustin May contributed 12 of 18 total strikeouts for the pitching staff on the evening.
Gavin Lux opened the scoring for the Quakes in the first with a leadoff solo home run against Lancaster starter Logan Longwith. The big fly extended Lux's hitting streak to a season-long 14 games, the longest active streak in the league.
May opened with three scoreless innings while striking out five before running into his only trouble in the fourth. Colton Welker reached on an error to open the inning and Tyler Nevin walked to put two aboard for Vince Fernandez. Lancaster's left fielder found a pitch to hit and socked a three-run homer to right center, putting the Hawks up 3-1.
Catcher Steve Berman helped inch the Quakes back with a RBI-single in the fourth and Omar Estevez tied the game at three with a solo-shot in the sixth.
After giving up the home run, May did not allow another base runner through the remainder of his outing.   The right-hander set down eleven in a row and struck out a Quakes single-game high 12 hitters over 6.2 innings in the no-decision.
Reliever Marshall Kasowski (2-0) recorded the final out of the seventh and became the winning pitcher of record when Rancho jumped back to the lead in the home half.
With the bases loaded and one out against JetHawks reliever Kenny Oakley, Estevez grounded out to second but scored Saige Jenco to make it 4-3. Oakley (0-5) then allowed a two run single to Cristian Santana on a shallow flair into center for the 6-3 lead.
The Quakes followed up with more insurance in the eighth. Rylan Bannon singled home Berman and Cody Thomas doubled in Lux to make it 8-3.
Andre Scrubb closed out the ninth and allowed a run, putting an end to seven unanswered as the Quakes carried on for an 8-4 win.
Following the victory, the Quakes have won 16 of their last 17 games and return to a seven-game lead in the south division over Lancaster. The Quakes have now won five consecutive series in the second half of play and each of the last seven sets extending back to the first half.
The Quakes travel to San Bernardino next for a four-game road series against the Inland Empire 66ers. RHP Parker Curry (5-1) is scheduled to start game one for the Quakes and be opposed by Nick Tropeano (1-0) of the 66ers.
Rancho returns to LoanMart Field on Wednesday, July 18^th to host the San Jose Giants in a three-game series and the opening of a six-game home stand. It will be a Bark in the Park Wednesday at LoanMart Field with $3 pet passes available at the ticket office. Game tickets are available at rcquakes.com or by calling (909) 481-5000.