Rancho's Late Rally Tops IE

San Bernardino, CA - Drew Avans' loud home run late in Friday night's contest headlined a marquee comeback win for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, as they defeated the Inland Empire 66ers by the final score of 6-5 in game one of the five-game series.
A combination of timely hitting and solid starting pitching gave Inland Empire a comfortable lead through six frames. Five different run-scoring hits from four-different players led to five 66ers' runs. Andrew Wantz' six innings of one-run baseball with nine strikeouts kept the Quakes' bat at bay.
However in the top of the seventh, with the score at 5-1 in favor of the Sixers, and Inland Empire reliever Jorge Tavarez in for Wantz, the Rancho offense took full advantage.
Marcus Chiu made it 5-2 with an RBI infield single, setting up the next hitter with a first and third situation. That next hitter was Avans, and he followed suit with a no-doubt, three-run shot to knot the score at 5-5.
In the very next inning, following a six-pitch bottom of the seventh from Wes Helsabeck, the Quakes would score their fifth unanswered run with a Connor Wong RBI double, scoring Donovan Casey from first.
That is all Rancho would need heading into the final two frames. Logan Salow pitched a near immaculate 1.2 innings with five strikeouts, en route to his fourth save of 2019.
With a Lake Elsinore win over Lancaster by a final score of 5-0 at The Diamond on Friday evening, the Quakes' magic number over the Storm is five, while their magic number dropped to four on the JetHawks.
Looking for back-to-back wins, Rancho will send All-Star RHP Wills Montgomerie (5-0) to the mound for his 11th overall appearance of the season. On the other side, another All-Star, RHP Kyle Bradish, will take the ball as he is set to be activated off the Injured List prior to Saturday's contest.
On Wednesday, June 12th, the Quakes welcome the Lake Elsinore Storm to town for the final five games of first-half play. Terra Vista Animal Hospital presents Bark in the Ballpark at LoanMart Field, as all four-legged companions are welcomed at the friendly confines. Purchase tickets online at rcquakes.com or by calling (909) 481-5000. Go Quakes!