Quakes Drop Rubber Game, 66ers Take Series

The ongoing rivalry between the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the Inland Empire 66ers was reignited with this most recent and final series of the regular season between the two California League South teams. The 66ers dominated the Quakes in game 1, scoring 13 times compared to the Quakes scoring 3 times. The Quakes took the cake in game 2, winning it 14-4, which lead us to game 3, the rubber game of the series. Had the Quakes won it, it would've been their 8th straight series win. Unfortunately for them though, the offense really only showed up in the first inning and the defense and pitching was slightly lacking as 4 errors were made and the pitching staff allowed for 8 earned runs to cross home plate. I will give some credit to game 3 starter, Freddie Cabrera though, because he is not an official starter in the rotation. He usually works from the bullpen, having only made one other start this season. Between the usual starting pitchers getting promoted or being placed on the DL, the Quakes have to work with what they have. So, all the more to 'em.
The 66ers took this series, as well as the season series, winning 16 games and losing 8 to the Quakes. In this series, the 66ers managed 27 runs on 35 hits, with the Quakes scoring 20 times on 31 hits.

Rancho's Batting

Outfielder, Noel Cuevas went 2-13 with a double. Right fielder, Scott Schebler went 4-13 with a home run. His team and league leading 23rd of the year. Shortstop, Darnell Sweeney went 5-13 with a double. Left fielder/designated hitter, Bobby Coyle went 5-11 with a home run. First baseman, Chris Jacobs went 1-9 with his 7th home run of the year. Designated hitter/catcher, Pratt Maynard went 4-13 with a double. Second baseman/third baseman, Scott Wingo went 3-11 with his 2nd home run of the year. Center fielder, Casio Grider went 4-8 with 2 doubles.

Inland Empire's Batting

Second baseman, Alex Yarbrough went 4-14 with a grand slam. Designated hitter/left fielder, Zach Borenstein went 8-12 with 3 doubles, one being ground rule, and a triple. First baseman, Michael Snyder went 2-12 with a home run. Third baseman, Brian Hernandez went 6-10 with 2 doubles. Right fielder/designated hitter, Gary Mitchell went 3-12 with a triple. Catcher, Abel Baker went 2-8 with a double.

Pitching Overview

Game 1: Quakes 3 66ers 13
W- Mark Sappington L- Gustavo Gomez

Game 2: Quakes 14 66ers 4
W- Lindsey Caughel L- Orangel Arenas

Game 3: Quakes 3 66ers 10
W- Alex Keudell L- Freddie Cabrera

Quakes's Pitching

Joel Lima pitched 2 hitless innings in relief in game 1. Blake Smith threw a hitless inning in games 1 and 3. Matt Shelton allowed 1 hit over 2 innings pitched in game 1. Lindsey Caughel got the game 2 win after allowing 4 runs on 9 hits over 6 innings. Dan Coulombe allowed 1 hit in 1 inning of work in game 2. Semi-newcomer, Arismendy Ozoria threw 2 hitless innings in game 2 in his first appearance with the Quakes since 2011.

66ers's Pitching

Game 1 winner, Mark Sappington allowed 2 runs on 4 hits over 7 innings. Brandon Efferson allowed 1 hit over 1 inning in relief in game 1. Michael Johnson threw a hitless inning in game 2. Game 3 winner, Alex Keudell allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, on 7 hits over 7 innings. Both R.J. Alvarez and Eric Cendejas pitched a hitless inning in game 3.

Roster Moves

RHP, Carlos Frias has been promoted to AA Chattanooga. Taking his spot on the roster, from A- Great Lakes, will be RHP, Arismendy Ozoria. Ozoria was a member of the 2011 Quakes, working mostly as a starter, but pitching in relief a few times as well. Outfielder, Devin Shines has been activated off of the disabled list, while infielder, O'Koyea Dickson has been placed on the DL with an oblique strain.

Upcoming Games

The Quakes have a 3 game series against the Visalia Rawhide up in Visalia, CA. This series marks the final time the Quakes will be playing a Cal League North team during the regular season. The Quakes will then have an off day before returning home for a breif 3 game homestand against the Lake Elsinore Storm.