Extra Innings with Lauren: Quakes Drop Game 3, 66ers Advance to Cal League South Finals

The Quakes and the 66ers haven't exactly been known to be the best of friends in the California League, especially as of late. This is mainly because, in the regular season, the 66ers took 16 of 24 games from the Quakes. Fans who knew this, including myself, knew this series was going to be a good one, even if it was only 3 games. The first game of the series took place in Rancho Cucamonga, with the last two taking place in San Bernardino.
The 66ers took game 1 by a score of 6-3, making game 2 a must win for the Quakes to keep their playoff lives, well, alive. The Quakes did what they needed to do, coming back to win game 2, 8-5 in 10 innings. This put into motion the necessity of a game 3 to see who would advance to the Cal League South Championship series against the JetHawks. The Quakes got off to a good and early start against the 66ers, but it soon slipped from their grasp, or so the 66ers thought. The Quakes rallied back from a 5-3 deficit in the top of the 9th, taking a 6-5 lead. Unfortunately though, the Quakes couldn't keep the 66ers off the board in the bottom of the 9th, and the 66ers walked away as the 3 game mini series victors.
The 66ers scored 18 runs, while the Quakes scored 17. Both teams managed 31 hits, the 66ers in 114 at bats and the Quakes in 103 ABs.

Inland Empire's Batting

Third baseman, Sherman Johnson went 3-11 with 2 singles and a double. Shortstop, Eric Stamets went 3-14 with 2 singles and a double. Second baseman, Alex Yarbrough went 4-15 with 3 singles and a double. Left fielder, Zach Borenstein went 5-13 with 4 singles and a double. First baseman, Brian Hernandez went 3-13 with a single and 2 doubles. Catcher, Abel Baker went 1-7 with a single. Center fielder, Andy Workman went 3-12 with 3 singles. Right fielder, Gary Mitchell went 4-12 with 2 singles and a triple. Designated hitter, Michael Snyder went 4-9 with 2 singles, a double, and a home run. Catcher, Anthony Bemboom went 1-4 with a single.

Rancho Cucamonga's Batting

Third baseman/center fielder, Casio Grider went 4-13 with 4 singles. Right fielder, Scott Schebler went 3-11 with 3 singles. Second baseman, Darnell Sweeney went 3-12 with a single and 2 doubles. Designated hitter/first baseman, O'Koyea Dickson went 7-11 with 5 singles, a double, and a home run. Left fielder/designated hitter, Bobby Coyle Jr. went 3-12 with 2 singles and a triple. Center fielder/left fielder, Noel Cuevas went went 2-11 with 2 singles. Shortstop, Corey Seager went 4-12 with 3 singles and a double. First baseman, Chris Jacobs went 1-4 with a double. Catcher, Chris O'Brien went 2-8 with 2 singles. Third baseman, Scott Wingo went 2-6 with 2 singles.

Pitching Overview

Game 1: 66ers 6 Quakes 3
W- Drew Rucinski L- Jon Michael Redding Sv- RJ Alvarez
Game 2: Quakes 8 66ers 5 F/10
W- Dan Coulombe L- Ty Kelley Sv- Craig Stem
Game 3: Quakes 6 66ers 7
W- Eduard Santos L- Craig Stem

66ers' Pitching

Game 1 starter, Drew Rucinski got the win after allowing 3 runs on 6 hits over 7 innings. Eduard Santos allowed 1 hit over .1 innings and was then followed by Carmine Giardina who finished up the inning without allowing a hit. RJ Alvarez finished off game 1 by allowing 2 hits in 1 inning of work. Eric Cendejas allowed 1 hit over .2 innings in game 2 and threw 1.2 hitless innings in game 3. Carmine Giardina allowed 1 hit over 1 inning in game 2 and allowed no hits, but 1 walk in 0+ innings in game 3. Kramer Sneed allowed 3 hits in 5.2 innings in game 3. Eduard Santos got the game 3 win after going .1 innings without allowing a hit.

Quakes' Pitching

Eric Eadington allowed 2 hits over 3 innings in game 1. Raydel Sanchez threw 3 hitless innings in game 1 and 2.2 hitless innings in game 3. Dan Coulombe threw a hitless inning in game 1, got the win in game 2 after going .1 innings without giving up a hit, and threw another hitless inning in game 3. Edwin Carl allowed 1 hit over 3.2 innings in game 2. Craig Stem earned the game 2 save after throwing a hitless inning.

Roster Moves

RHP, Kyle Hooper was added to the roster from Ogden. RHP, Francisco Villa was sent back to Ogden.

Upcoming Games

The Quakes have no more games in the 2013 season, but will return to LoanMart Field in April of 2014.

Thanks to all of the people that took the time to read this. Thanks as well to the fans and players on the Quakes and the other 9 California League teams. Without them, I'd be pretty bored. See you all next season! (I might randomly write something every now and then though...)

Photos by Kristen Jennings