Rancho Cucamonga, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino lost a ninth inning lead on Sunday at LoanMart Field but scored three times in the tenth inning to down the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7-4. Keith Grieshaber delivered a key, two-out two RBI single in the top of the extra
Rancho Cucamonga, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino lost a ninth inning lead on Sunday at LoanMart Field but scored three times in the tenth inning to down the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7-4. Keith Grieshaber delivered a key, two-out two RBI single in the top of the extra frame to put the Sixers ahead as Inland Empire took the series two-games-to-one with the win.
Inland Empire (62-71, 32-31) took a lead in the top of the fourth as Jake Yacinich's two-run triple gave the Sixers a 3-1 advantage. The Quakes answered right back in the bottom of the fourth tying the game after an RBI single from Omar Estevez and RBI double off the bat of Ibandel Isabel. The pitching staffs were stout for the clubs as IE starter Jose Rodriguez went six frames allowing three runs (only one earned) on nine hits with one walk and seven Ks. After Dodgers' lefty Adam Libertore tossed a scoreless first for the Quakes on a MLB injury rehab appearance, righty Dustin May allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits with no walks and seven Ks in six innings. The game remained tied into the ninth when Michael Barash drilled a solo homer for the Sixers to open the frame and give the 66ers a 4-3 lead. It was Barash's tenth homer of the year. In the bottom of the frame Sixers reliever Sean Isaac (1-0) struck out Zach Reks to open the inning but the ball got away from the catcher Barash and Reks reached on a wild pitch. Luke Raley then drilled a game-tying double to center. Isaac stranded Raley eventually at third base. After two quick outs in the top of tenth the it was the Sixers turn to reach on a strikeout and wild pitch as Jared Walsh did just that against Quakes reliever Andrew Istler. The righty then walked back-to-back batters to set up Grieshaber's clutch two run single to center. Yacinich added a RBI bunt single to make it 7-4. Mike Kaelin tossed a scoreless tenth to earn his second save. The Sixers improved to 7-4 in extra-inning games while the Quakes fell to 73-60 on the year and 37-26 in the second half.
The Sixers series at Rancho Cucamonga continues at 2:05 pm on Sunday. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com.
