Quakes Return to Win-Column on Saturday
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Quakes finally put it all together on Saturday night, halting a four-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Inland Empire 66ers. With just a 1-9 record in their first ten August games, everything clicked for Rancho, as they earned their first win of
Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Quakes finally put it all together on Saturday night, halting a four-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Inland Empire 66ers.
With just a 1-9 record in their first ten August games, everything clicked for Rancho, as they earned their first win of the series at LoanMart Field, and snapped Inland Empire’s seven-game winning streak.
Joe Vetrano had two hits, three RBIs, an inside-the-park home run, and made a nifty play at first base to secure the final out of the game in the ninth.
Leading 5-3, Madison Jeffrey got the first two outs of the ninth inning, but walked Jeremy Arocho on a 3-2 pitch to bring the tying run to the plate. Nelson Rada hit a tricky short-hop at Vetrano, who fielded it perfectly and carried it to the bag, giving Jeffrey his ninth save and putting Rancho in the win-column.
Vetrano had a first-inning RBI hit to bring home Jake Gelof, cutting Inland Empire’s early lead to 2-1.
Rancho tied the game in the second, as Sam Mongelli brought home Luis Rodriguez with an RBI groundout.
Dylan Campbell’s two-out RBI hit in the fourth put Rancho ahead to stay against 66ers’ starter Ryan Langford (2-3), as he singled home Rodriguez to make it 3-2.
Vetrano struck for his first homer in a Rancho uniform in the fifth. Jake Gelof doubled with two outs and Vetrano followed with a long fly ball to left field. 66ers’ left fielder Alberto Rios lost the ball in the evening sky and by the time he recovered, Vetrano rounded the bases and slid in ahead of the tag for his first professional home run.
Inland got a run in the seventh to make it 5-3, but would get no closer.
Rancho reliever Brandon Neeck (1-3) worked 2.1 innings of scoreless relief for the win.
The Quakes (17-24, 56-51) and 66ers finish their series on Sunday at 5pm, as Gabe Emmett (5-6) takes on Jorge Marcheco (7-3) in the finale. 1,500 fans will take home a 2023 Team Photo thanks to Millennium Systems and Kids will Run the Bases after the game. Tickets are available at rcquakes.com...Go Quakes!