Inland Empire Pitchers Smother Rancho, Whiff 17

San Bernardino, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino were 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position, made three errors, scratched out only five hits…it proved to be part of a perfect recipe as the Sixers spoiled Rancho Cucamonga's home opener with a 5-4 win. Inland Empire (5-3) received another dominating pitching performance from its staff striking out 17 Quakes and walking just one batter.
The Sixers scored first in the third when Jared Walsh launched a solo homer, his first, off Quakes starter Jordan Sheffield (0-1). Later that inning, Jonah Todd delivered a RBI double making it 2-0. Todd finished 2-for-3 with two walks, one RBI and a stolen base. The Sixers added to a 2-1 lead in fourth when Jahmai Jones took a bases loaded walk and Walsh came through with a sac fly for his second RBI of the game. Inland Empire tacked on a run in the eight making it 5-2 when Jordan Zimmerman came home on a wild pitch by Rancho Cucamonga (2-6) reliever Andrew Istler. The Quakes did score two in the ninth making it 5-4, but Kyle Halbohn (SV, 1) fittingly struck a man out to end the game for K number 17. Hard to believe as it is, it was only the second highest K total this year for Inland Empire as they fanned San Jose Giants on April 7^th. Jose Suarez went four innings fanning eight and issuing the lone walk with two hit batsmen on Thursday. The 20-year-old has now fanned 18 in nine frames this season. Tyler Stevens earned the win w/ two shutout innings with one hit allowed and five K's; Stevens gave up a leadoff triple to Jeren Kendall in the fifth but stranded him by striking out the next three batters. Adrian Alameida whiffed two in a perfect sixth.
Inland Empire continues the series at Rancho Cucamonga on Friday at 7:05 pm. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com
San Bernardino, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino were 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position, made three errors, scratched out only five hits…it proved to be part of a perfect recipe as the Sixers spoiled Rancho Cucamonga's home opener with a 5-4 win. Inland Empire (5-3) received another dominating pitching performance from its staff striking out 17 Quakes and walking just one batter.
The Sixers scored first in the third when Jared Walsh launched a solo homer, his first, off Quakes starter Jordan Sheffield (0-1). Later that inning, Jonah Todd delivered a RBI double making it 2-0. Todd finished 2-for-3 with two walks, one RBI and a stolen base. The Sixers added to a 2-1 lead in fourth when Jahmai Jones took a bases loaded walk and Walsh came through with a sac fly for his second RBI of the game. Inland Empire tacked on a run in the eight making it 5-2 when Jordan Zimmerman came home on a wild pitch by Rancho Cucamonga (2-6) reliever Andrew Istler. The Quakes did score two in the ninth making it 5-4, but Kyle Halbohn (SV, 1) fittingly struck a man out to end the game for K number 17. Hard to believe as it is, it was only the second highest K total this year for Inland Empire as they fanned San Jose Giants on April 7^th. Jose Suarez went four innings fanning eight and issuing the lone walk with two hit batsmen on Thursday. The 20-year-old has now fanned 18 in nine frames this season. Tyler Stevens earned the win w/ two shutout innings with one hit allowed and five K's; Stevens gave up a leadoff triple to Jeren Kendall in the fifth but stranded him by striking out the next three batters. Adrian Alameida whiffed two in a perfect sixth.
Inland Empire continues the series at Rancho Cucamonga on Friday at 7:05 pm. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com