Keith Shines in Rancho Win

Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Damon Keith had a huge night offensively and defensively, as the Quakes rolled to an 8-2 win over the Fresno Grizzlies on Thursday night at LoanMart Field.

Keith homered, finished with three hits, three RBIs and picked up two outfield assists, as the Quakes won for the second time in three games against the Grizzlies.

Jake Vogel put Rancho on the board with his first homer of the year, a three-run shot off Grizzlies starter McCade Brown, making it 3-0 in the third.

Keith lined one to the opposite field in the fifth, a two-run shot for his team-leading 11th of the year, making it 5-0 against Brown (2-4).

The Grizzlies got on the board in the sixth against Rancho reliever Jerming Rosario (3-6), who had a terrific outing and eventually was credited with the win.

Leading 5-1 in the last of the sixth, Luis Diaz blasted a two-run homer to left, tying Keith for the team-lead with 11 home runs, making it 7-1.

The teams traded runs in the eighth to finish the scoring, as Keith’s third and final hit of the day chased home Kenneth Betancourt to make it 8-2.

Keith’s night wasn’t done though, as he collected his second outfield assist of the game, ending Thursday’s contest. A two-out single to right field off the bat of Adael Amador looked like it was extend the game for the Grizzlies, but A.J. Lewis tried to advance from first to third and was badly out to end the game on a terrific throw by Keith.

The Quakes got two scoreless innings of work to start the night from the newest Quake, Joel Ibarra.

Rancho (8-10, 44-40) will send River Ryan (1-2) to the mound on Friday, as he takes on Brayan Castillo (1-4) at 6:30pm in game four of the six-game set.

Friday is another Family RV Family Feast Night, with $2 hot dogs, $1 Pepsi products and $1 ice cream sandwiches. We hope to see you at LoanMart Field...Go Quakes!