Quakes Survive Second-Half Opener

Lake Elsinore, CA – The Quakes opened the second half with a victory over the first-half champs, as Rancho Cucamonga downed the Lake Elsinore Storm on Friday night by a final of 11-10.

Yeiner Fernandez had three hits and three runs scored and the Quakes swatted three homers on their way to their second win of the series in Lake Elsinore.

Leading 11-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Rancho nearly gave it away, as three walks in the inning and a three-run homer by Marcos Castanon tightened it up at 11-10. Reinaldo De Paula, who gave up the long-ball, recovered and struck out Jared Alvarez-Lopez to end it and earn his first save of the year.

The Quakes got home runs from newcomer Griffin Lockwood-Powell, Austin Gauthier and Julio Carrion, building an early lead.

The Storm actually came back to take a 5-4 lead, scoring three times in the fifth inning against Rancho reliever Gabe Emmett.

Rancho tied the game in the sixth, thanks to a Storm error, then took the lead for good in the seventh against Ben Miller, as Luis Rodriguez singled home Fernandez with the go-ahead run at 6-5.

The Quakes broke it open with five in the eighth, fueled by Damon Keith’s bases-loaded double off the top of the left-field wall.

Rancho reliever Heisell Baro (2-0) got the win in relief.

The Quakes improve to 1-0 in the second half and 37-30 overall. Rancho will throw lefty Benony Robles (3-2) on Saturday night at 5:05pm, while the Storm will counter with Ruben Galindo (2-2) in game five.

The Quakes return to LoanMart Field to open their first home stand of the second half on Tuesday, June 28th, taking on the Visalia Rawhide for six straight. Tuesday will be a Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday, where fans can pledge to recycle ten CRV-eligible bottles and cans for a free Club Seat Ticket. Tickets are available at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you at LoanMart Field...Go Quakes!