Smeltzer Spoils San Jose's 4th, Quakes Win
San Jose, CA - After having their own Independence Day Fireworks Celebration spoiled at home on Monday, the Quakes did the same to the San Jose Giants on Tuesday, edging the Giants by a score of 2-1 in front of a sold-out crowd of 4,382 at Municipal Stadium.Rancho starter Devin
San Jose, CA - After having their own Independence Day Fireworks Celebration spoiled at home on Monday, the Quakes did the same to the San Jose Giants on Tuesday, edging the Giants by a score of 2-1 in front of a sold-out crowd of 4,382 at Municipal Stadium.
Rancho starter Devin Smeltzer enjoyed his second straight quality start, as he allowed just one run on four hits over six innings. The left-hander fanned eight and did not walk a hitter in winning just his second game as a Quake.
Smeltzer got some run support in the fourth, as the Quakes took a 2-0 lead against Giants' starter Matt Krook. Luke Raley opened the inning with a single, then moved to second as D.J. Peters was hit by a pitch. Will Smith followed with a double off the top of the fence, making it 1-0, as Raley came in to score. Krook (3-8) struck out consecutive hitters, but fired a wild pitch with two outs, allowing Peters to score and make it a 2-0 game.
The Giants got their lone run in the fifth, as Smeltzer gave up back-to-back hits, then allowed a sacrifice fly to Ryan Howard, making it a 2-1 game. A two-out error allowed the inning to continue, but Smeltzer struck out Bryan Reynolds to leave the bases loaded.
San Jose threatened again in the sixth, as the third Rancho error of the night allowed the inning to continue yet again with two outs, as Dillon Dobson reached on the miscue. Smeltzer then hit Gio Brusa to move the tying run into scoring position. But with two on and two outs, second baseman Zach McKinstry made a game-saving catch, on a line drive off the bat of Howard, a ball that deflected off of Smeltzer and threatened to tie the game.
The Rancho bullpen was strong behind Smeltzer (2-2), as Andrew Thurman and Andrew Istler combined to fire three scoreless frames in relief. Istler struck out the first five hitters he faced, then got into trouble. Back-to-back singles opened the door for a walk-off finish, but Istler fanned Ronnie Jebavy to notch his eighth save of the year.
The Quakes (8-5, 44-39) have now won seven of their last nine road games overall and will send Caleb Ferguson (4-4) to the mound on Wednesday, as they look to keep their momentum going away from home. San Francisco Giants' lefty Madison Bumgarner (0-0) is scheduled to throw on a rehab assignment on Wednesday for the Giants, with game time scheduled for 7:00pm from Municipal Stadium.
On Wednesday, July 12th, the Quakes will return to LoanMart Field for a four-game set against the San Jose Giants. Next Wednesday will be a Terra Vista Animal Hospital Bark in the Ballpark, as dogs are invited to the ballpark, with Pet Passes costing just $3 and the proceeds benefitting the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Shelter. Game time will be 7:05pm and tickets are available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com.
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