Quakes Split to Snap Skid

After a rough week, involving a season high ten game losing streak, the Quakes salvaged the final 2 games of a 4 game series against the Bakersfield Blaze to not only snap their losing streak, but to split the series and start a new win streak as well. After the Quakes took early leads in the first two games of the series, the Blaze managed to comeback and record the wins, but in the final two games, the Quakes scored early and in plentiful amounts. With the help of "Dodger" rehabber, Alex Guerrero and the return of utility player, Casio Grider, the Quakes managed to stay at and above the .500 mark.

The Quakes outscored the Blaze, 29-22, as well as outhit them, 44-35.

Rancho Cucamonga's Batting

SS, 2B Casio Grider: 3-18, 1 HR
LF Rob Garvey: 4-17, 1 2B, 1 HR
RF Jeremy Rathjen: 7-17, 2 2B, 2 HR
1B Chris Jacobs: 2-4, 1 HR
DH, 1B Aaron Miller: 2-11
3B, 1B Steven Proscia: 6-17, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR
C Tyler Ogle: 1-7, 1 HR
2B, 3B Adam Law: 5-14, 2 2B
CF James Baldwin: 5-15, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR
2B, 3B, SS Alex Guerrero: 4-10, 3 2B
DH Kyle Farmer: 3-8, 1 2B
C Pratt Maynard: 2-7

Bakersfield's Batting

CF, LF Sammy Diaz: 4-10, 1 2B
SS Zach Vincej: 4-15, 1 2B
RF, CF Jeff Gelalich: 5-13, 1 2B, 1 HR
DH Sean Buckley: 2-15
3B, 1B Marquez Smith: 7-16, 3 2B
2B Juan Perez: 4-14, 1 HR
1B, 3B Harold Riggins: 0-7
LF, RF Sebastian Elizalde: 5-13, 1 2B, 2 HR
C Yovan Gonzalez: 0-4
LF, 3B Brent Peterson: 2-9
1B, C David Vidal: 1-6
C Julio Morillo: 1-3
CF Beau Amaral: 0-4

Pitching Overview

Game 1: Quakes 7 Blaze 10
W- Daniel Wright L- Tom Windle S- Ben Klimesh
Game 2: Quakes 5 Blaze 7
W- Jimmy Moran L-Craig Stem S- Ben Klimesh
Game 3: Quakes 10 Blaze 4
W- Lindsey Caughel L- Drew Cisco S- Geoff Brown
Game 4: Quakes 7 Blaze 1
W- Jharel Cotton L- Wandy Peralta

Quakes' Pitching

LHP Tom Windle: 4IP 8H 6R, L gm1
RHP Luis Meza: 1.2IP 2H 3R
LHP Yasmanys Fernandez: 2.1IP 0H 0R (2 games)
RHP Rob Rogers: 2IP 4H 2R (2 games)
RHP Chris Anderson: 5IP 6H 1R
RHP Craig Stem: 2IP 4H 5R 4ER,  BS gm 2, L gm 2
RHP Daniel Tillman: 1IP 2H 1R
RHP Lindsey Caughel: 6IP 7H 4R, W gm 3
LHP Geoff Brown: 3IP 1H 0R, S gm 3
RHP Jharel Cotton: 7IP 1H 0R, W gm 4

Blaze's Pitching

RHP Daniel Wright: 5IP 7H 4R, W gm 1
RHP Jake Johnson: 3IP 2H 2R, H gm 1
LHP Sean Lucas: 1.1IP 4H 1R (2 games)
RHP Ben Klimesh: 1.2IP 0H 0R (2 games), S gm 1, S gm 2
LHP Ismael Guillon: 6IP 5H 4R 3ER
RHP Jimmy Moran: 1IP 4H 1R, W gm 2
RHP Kyle McMyne: 2IP 2H 3R 2ER (2 games), H gm 2
RHP Drew Cisco: 5.1IP 10H 8R 7ER, L gm 3
RHP Ryan Kemp: .2IP 1H 2R
RHP James Allen: 2IP 1H 0R
LHP Wandy Peralta: 6IP 7H 4R, L gm 4
RHP El'Hajj Muhammad: 2IP 1H 0R

Roster Moves

Added: Utility Fielder, Casio Grider
Disabled List: INF, Leo Rodriguez
Rehab: INF, Alex Guerrero
Sent to OGD: INF Dillon Moyer

Upcoming Games

The Quakes return home Thursday, the 24th, for a 4 game homestand against the Mavericks. Thursday is Thirsty Thursday, Friday is Zack Grenkie bobble head giveaway (FIRST 1500 FANS), Saturday is fireworks, and Sunday is team photo giveaway with a 5:05 start time.

Giants Shake Up the Quakes

For the second of three total times this season, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the San Jose Giants squared off in a minor league edition of a classic New York rivalry. This, of course, referring to the rivalry of the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers. Though both teams have moved to the west coast and now reside in San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively, the rivalry still surges on, even down at the lower levels of each team. The common chant of "Beat LA" was heard widely throughout the ballpark as I took in the third and final game of the series. Unfortunately, it seemed as though the Beat LA chant worked it's magic, as the Quakes were swept for the second straight series.

The Giants outscored the Quakes, 19-13, however, both teams ended up with 26 hits apiece.

Rancho Cucamonga's Batting

LF, CF Robbie Garvey: 1-10, 1 3B
2B Adam Law: 2-11
DH, RF Aaron Miller: 4-13, 1 2B, 1 3B
1B Chris Jacobs: 3-10, 1 2B, 1 HR
C Tyler Ogle: 4-8, 1 2B, 1 HR
3B Steven Proscia: 4-8
RF, LF Jeremy Rathjen: 3-10, 1 HR
SS Dillon Moyer: 2-9, 1 2B
CF James Baldwin: 0-8
SS Leo Rodriguez: 0-1
DH Kyle Farmer: 2-8
C Pratt Maynard: 1-3

San Jose's Batting

CF Jesus Galindo: 2-12, 1 3B
RF Chuckie Jones: 5-12, 1 2B, 1 HR
SS, 3B Brandon Bednar: 2-12, 1 2B
3B, 2B Blake Miller: 3-9, 1 2B
1B, DH Brian Ragira: 3-13, 1 HR
LF Elliott Blair: 4-10, 1 2B
C Ben Turner: 1-7
2B Alberto Robles: 1-6
DH Shawn Payne: 1-5
C, 1B Trevor Brown: 3-7
SS Ydwin Villegas: 0-3
3B Mitch Delfino: 1-4

Pitching Overview

Game 1: Quakes 8 Giants 9 F/10
W: Tyler Rogers L: Rob Rogers
Game 2: Quakes 5 Giants 7
W: Chris Stratton L: Jharel Cotton S: Bryce Bandilla
Game 3: Quakes 0 Giants 3
W: Kendry Flores L: Gustavo Gomez S: Bryce Bandilla

Quakes' Pitching

RHP Fabio Martinez: 5IP 3H 2R 1ER
LHP Geoff Brown: 1.1IP 6H 5R 4ER (2 games)
RHP Craig Stem: 1.2IP 1H 0R
RHP Luis Meza: 2IP 2H 1R
RHP Rob Rogers: .2IP 0H 2R 1ER
RHP Jharel Cotton: 6IP 8H 7R 5ER
RHP Daniel Tillman: 1IP 0H 0R
LHP Yasmanys Fernandez: 1IP 1H 0R
LHP Julio Urias: 3IP 0H 0R
RHP Gustavo Gomez: 4IP 5H 2R

Giants' Pitching

RHP Pat Young: 1.2IP 3H 3R
RHP Jeff Soptic: 2.1IP 0H 1R
RHP Jorge Bucardo: 2IP 2H 2R 0ER
RHP Stephen Johnson: 2IP 2H 0R
RHP Tyler Mizenko: 1.2IP 4H 2R
RHP Tyler Rogers: 1.1IP 3H 0R (2 games)
RHP Chris Stratton: 6+IP 9H 4R
LHP Mason McVay: 3IP 1H 1R (2 games)
LHP Bryce Bandilla: 2IP 0H 0R (2 games)
RHP Kendry Flores: 6IP 2H 0R

Roster Moves

Promotions: Corey Seager was officially promoted to AA, Chattanooga

Upcoming Games

The Quakes have a four game series in Bakersfield, against the Blaze, and then return home to play the High Desert Mavericks.

Photos by Kristen Jennings

View of the seats behind home plate

Front entrance of Municipal Stadium

My mom and I in the visitor's dugout (Photo by John Rally)

Quakes game 3 lineup

Giants game 3 lineup

Giants' mascot, Gigante

1B Chris Jacobs

Giants' submariner, Tyler Rogers

C Pratt Maynard 

DH Kyle Farmer after a base hit

Final score 

JetHawks Rock the Hawk in Rancho

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes started the 2nd half with a record of 18-3, winning or sweeping each series they played in, before coming into this four game series with the Lancaster JetHawks. In the stretch of time between this post and my last, the Quakes boasted a Dodger era best 9 game win streak. During that time, they got a series win over the High Desert Mavericks, swept the Inland Empire 66ers, swept the Mavericks, and got a series win over the JetHawks. After earning the series win over the Lake Elsinore Storm, things got a little ugly, as the Quakes fell into a losing streak of  5 games. The JetHawks soared into Rancho with a vengeance, sweeping the Quakes in 4 games, giving the Quakes their first series loss of the 2nd half.

The JetHawks outscored the Quakes 34-13, as well as outhit them, 50-26.

Lancaster JetHawks Batting

SS Chan Moon: 5-14, 2 2B
LF, DH Danry Vasquez: 3-12, 1 2B
1B Conrad Gregor: 3-14,  1 2B
C Roberto Pena: 1-9
DH, LF, CF Dan Gulbransen: 6-15, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR
3B, 2B, SS Jack Mayfield: 7-18, 3 2B
RF Jon Kemmer: 4-17, 1 2B, 2 HR
2B Austin Elkins: 1-7, 1 2B
CF Jordan Scott: 6-11, 2 2B, 1 3B
3B Rio Ruiz: 7-13, 2 2B, 2 3B
DH, C Jobduan Morales: 4-13, 1 3B, 1 HR
LF Tanner Mathis: 3-5

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Batting

LF, CF Rob Garvey: 4-12
2B, LF Adam Law: 3-15
SS Corey Seager: 1-3, 1 2B
1B Chris Jacobs: 2-12, 1 HR
DH, RF Aaron Miller: 0-10
C, DH Kyle Farmer: 2-7
3B Steven Proscia: 3-12, 1 2B
RF Jermey Rathjen: 2-11
CF James Baldwin: 4-11, 2 2B, 2 HR
C Tyler Ogle: 2-9, 1 2B
SS Dillon Moyer: 0-11
DH, 3B Justin Turner: 1-5
2B Leo Rodriguez: 1-7
C Pratt Maynard: 1-3

Pitching Overview

Game 1: JetHawks 8 Quakes 5
W- Kyle Westwood L- Jharel Cotton S- Zach Morton

Game 2: JetHawks 15 Quakes 3
W- Kent Emanuel L- Tom Windle

Game 3: JetHawks 6 Quakes 2
W- Josh Hader L- Chris Anderson

Game 4: JetHawks 5 Quakes 3
W-Evan Grills L-Lindsey Caughel S- Jamaine Cotton

Lancaster's Pitching

RHP Lance McCullers 3IP 1H 2R
RHP Kyle Westwood 5IP 4H 3R
RHP Zach Morton 2IP 2H 1R (2 games)
RHP Matt Heidenreich 4IP 5H 3R 1ER
LHP Kent Emanuel 4IP 2H 0R
RHP Jamaine Cotton 2IP 1H 1R (2 games)
LHP Josh Hader 6IP 2H 1R 0ER
RHP Daniel Minor 2IP 1H 0R
LHP Evan Grills 6IP 7H 1R
RHP Juan Minaya 2IP 1H 1R

Rancho's Pitching

RHP Jharel Cotton 6+IP 8H 6R 4ER
LHP Yasmanys Fernandez 2.2IP 1H 2R 0ER (2 games)
LHP Scott Elbert 2IP 2H 1R (2 games)
RHP Gustavo Gomez 4IP 3H 1R (2 games)
LHP Tom Windle 3.2IP 6H 5R
LHP Geoff Brown 3.1IP 3H 3R
RHP Luis Meza .1IP 3H 4R
RHP Daniel Tillman 1IP 2H 2R 1ER (2 games)
RHP Rob Rogers IP 2H 1R
RHP Chris Anderson 4IP 6H 5R
RHP Craig Stem 1IP 3H 1R
LHP Dan Coulombe 1IP 2H 0R
RHP Lindsey Caughel 6IP 9H 3R

Roster Moves
Rehab: LHP Scott Elbert and INF Justin Turner
Activated from DL: RHP Luis Meza and C Pratt Maynard
Inactive: SS Corey Seager (Futures Game) and LHP Julio Urias (Futures Game)
Promoted to CHA: LHP Dan Coulombe, RHP Freddie Cabrera, and SS Corey Seager
Activated from Inactive: Julio Urias 

Upcoming Games

The Quakes head up to San Jose to play the Giants for a 3 game set, then on to Bakersfield for a 4 game series. They return home the 24th to play the Mavericks.


Photos by Jerry Leija

RHP Jharel Cotton

CF James Baldwin with a diving catch 

JetHawks 1B Conrad Gregor 

1B Chris Jacobs rounding the bases after his 18th HR

C Kyle Farmer tagging out JetHawks CF Jordan Scott

JetHawks C Roberto Pena handling a ground ball by C Tyler Ogle

Dodgers LHP Scott Elbert 

Photos by Lauren Jennings

JetHawks 2B Austin Elkins

Dodgers INF Justin Turner

Justin Turner

1B Chris Jacobs looking to pick-off JetHawks SS Jack Mayfield

Quakes Sweep 66ers to Start 2nd Half

In the first half of the 2014 season, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes played the Inland Empire 66ers ten times, with each team getting five wins apiece. To start off the second half of the season, the two teams met again. With new records, both teams looked to start off the 2nd half in a better place than they had finished in the 1st half. The Quakes got going in the right direction by taking game one of the four game series, by a final score of 4-3. They then continued their good fortune by winning 8-1 in game two, 13-9 in game 3, and 8-1 again in game 4. Sweeping the 66ers gives the Quakes sole possession of first place, in the south division, with a 2nd half record of 4-0 and an overall record of 36-38. To top off the current first place status, the Quakes had two Dodger rehabbers at their disposal. Juan Uribe was used as a designated hitter in game 1 and played third in games 2 and 3, while LHP, Scott Elbert, was the starting pitcher for game 3.

The Quakes outscored the 66ers, 33-14, while out hitting them 39-29.

Inland Empire's Batting

Center fielder/left fielder, Mark Shannon went 4-16 with a double. First baseman, Wade Hinkle, went 2-11 with two doubles. Right fielder/designated hitter/first baseman, Dennis Raben, went 4-15 with two home runs. Third baseman, Cal Towey, went 4-16 with a double. Left fielder/right fielder, Riley Good, went 5-7, giving him a series batting average of .714. Left fielder/second baseman, Chance Ross, went 2-6 with a double. Catcher, Anthony Bemboom went 1-4 with a double.

Rancho Cucamonga's Batting

Left fielder, Adam Law, went 6-16 with two doubles. Rehabbing designated hitter/third baseman, Juan Uribe, went 4-11 with a double. Shortstop, Corey Seager, went 5-13 with two doubles and a home run. First baseman, Chris Jacobs, went 5-13 with two home runs. Catcher, Tyler Ogle, went 3-7 with two doubles. Third baseman, Steven Proscia, went 2-11 with a double and a grand slam. Second baseman, Brandon Dixon, went 3-15 with a double. Right fielder/center fielder, Robbie Garvey, went 3-14 with a triple. Center fielder, James Baldwin, went 2-7 with a double and a triple.

Pitching Overview

Game 1: 66ers 3 Quakes 4
W- Jharel Cotton L- Dan Tobik S-Rob Rogers
Game 2: 66ers 1 Quakes 8
W- Tom Windle L-Tyler DeLoach
Game 3: 66ers 9 Quakes 13
W- Freddie Cabrera L- Mike Clevinger
Game 4: 66ers 1 Quakes 8
W- Lindsey Caughel L- Mark Sappington

Inland Empire's Pitching

RHP, Eduard Santos threw 1.1 hitless innings over 2 games. RHP, Jairo Diaz, pitched 1 hitless inning of relief in game 2. RHP, Michael Smith allowed 1 hit over 3 innings in game 3.

Rancho Cucamonga's Pitching

Game 1 winner, RHP, Jharel Cotton, allowed 2 runs on 6 hits over 7 innings. LHP, Dan Coulombe, earned a hold in game 1 after going 1 inning and not allowing a hit. He also threw 1.1 hitless innings in game 3. RHP, Rob Rogers, earned the game 1 save after allowing an unearned run on 1 hit over 1 inning of work. Game 2 starter, LHP, Tom Windle earned the win after going 5 innings and allowing 1 run on 5 hits. LHP, Geoff Brown got a hold after allowing 1 hit over two innings in game 2. RHP, Daniel Tillman, allowed 2 hits over 2 innings against his former team in game 2. Dodgers rehabber, LHP, Scott Elbert, started game 3, throwing a 1-2-3, hitless first, with 2 strikeouts. Quakes newcomer,  LHP, Yasmanys Fernandez made his debut in game 3, throwing a hitless inning. The game 3 win went to RHP, Freddie Cabrera, after he allowed 2 runs on 2 hits over 3.1 innings. LHP, Julio Urias, started game 4 and went 3 innings and allowed 2 hits. RHP, Lindsey Caughel, earned the game 4 win after going 6 innings and allowing 1 run on 5 hits in his first appearance since May 6th.

Roster Moves

Juan Uribe and Scott Elbert were added to the roster for rehab assignments. Catcher, Kyle Farmer was added to the roster from Great Lakes and catcher, Jose Capellan was added to the Great Lakes roster. Pitcher, Yasmanys Fernandez was added to the roster, while pitcher, Luis Meza was placed on the disabled list. Pitcher, Lindsey Caughel was activated from the disabled list and pitcher, Owen Jones was released.

Upcoming Games

The Quakes have a 3 game set in High Desert from June 23rd-25th. They then will play a 4 game set in Inland Empire, June 26th-29th. The Quakes return home July 1st for a three game home stand against the Mavericks.

Photos Courtesy of Jerry Leija

Juan Uribe takes the field

Tom Windle on the hill

Juan Uribe on deck

Juan Uribe up to bat

Kyle Farmer on deck

Kyle Farmer behind the plate

Juan Uribe and Corey Seager

Juan Uribe

Adam Law sliding into second

Juan Uribe 

Meeting on the mound 

Kyle Farmer safe at home

Robbie Garvey up to bat

Aaron Miller rounding third

Chris Jacobs round third

Robbie Garvey in at third with a stand-up triple

66ers meeting on the mound

Quakes win game 2

Quakes & Hawks Split Final Series of 1st Half

Coming into the final series of the first half, the Lancaster JetHawks rested comfortably in first place, one win away from being crowned the first half California League South Champions. The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, on the other hand, sat in fourth place, right above the Inland Empire 66ers. The JetHawks came into the series with a record of 42-24, which tied them with the Bakersfield Blaze for the best record in the Cal League. The Quakes had a record of 30-36. The first game of the series ended in favor of the JetHawks, allowing them to clinch the first half crown, as did the third game. The second and fourth game, however, ended in favor of the Quakes, allowing the series to end in a split. The JetHawks finished the first half with a record of 44-26 (2nd in the Cal League) while the Quakes finished with a record of 32-38 (8th in the Cal League).

Game four of the series, which I was able to attend, was definitely a fun game to be at. It was the final night of the first half as well as the final night of Lancaster's Star Wars weekend. That night's giveaway, a Jedi Jose Altuve Bobblehead, got the night started right. The Quakes got the scoring started early, scoring a run in the first inning off of JetHawks starter, Kyle Westwood. Quakes' starter, Chris Anderson, had a 1-2-3 inning to start the game, but allowed a run to score in the 2nd, tying the game at 1. In the third, the Quakes scored 3 runs and never looked back. The JetHawks scored their second run in the 3rd, but would not score again until the 9th. The Quakes, on the other hand, scored 1 in the 5th courtesy of a solo shot by Steven Prosica, 3 in the 7th on a three run home run by Tyler Ogle, and one final run in the 9th on a home run by Jonathan Garcia.

The JetHawks outscored the Quakes 28-20, as well as outhit them, 42-37.

Rancho Cucamonga's Batting

Left fielder/third baseman, Adam Law went 1-11 with a double. Second baseman, Brandon Dixon, went 4-16 with a double. Designated hitter, Aaron Miller, went 3-17 with a triple and 2 home runs. Third baseman/first baseman, Steven Proscia, went 6-13 with a double and a home run. Right fielder/left fielder, Robbie Garvey, went 4-13 a double. Center fielder, James Baldwin went 4-13 with a double. Right fielder, Jonathan Garcia went 4-13 with a double and a home run. Catcher, Tyler Ogle, went 2-11 with a home run.

Lancaster's Batting

Second baseman, Tony Kemp, went 7-13 with 2 doubles. Shortstop, Carlos Correa, went 3-11 with a double. Third baseman, Rio Ruiz, went 2-15 with a home run. Catcher, Roberto Pena, went 3-9 with a home run. First baseman, Conrad Gregor, went 5-16 with a double and a home run. Right fielder/designated hitter, Danry Vasquez, went 10-16 with 3 doubles. Designated hitter/shortstop/second baseman, Jack Mayfield, went 2-12 with a home run. Designated hitter/right fielder/left fielder, Dan Gulbransen, went 2-11 with a double. Catcher, Jobduan Morales, went 2-7 with a home run.

Pitching Overview

Game 1: Quakes 3 JetHawks 16
W- Chris Devenski L- Jharel Cotton
Game 2: Quakes 4 JetHawks 2
W- Tom Windle L- Mark Appel
Game 3: Quakes 4 JetHawks 7
W- Juan Minaya L- Luis Meza Sv- Jamaine Cotton
Game 4: Quakes 9 JetHawks 3
W- Chris Anderson L- Kyle Westwood

Quakes' Pitching

RHP, Daniel Tillman, threw 1.1 hitless innings in game 1. LHP, Tom Windle got the game 2 win after allowing just 3 hits over 7 innings. LHP, Dan Coulombe, threw .2 hitless innings in game 2. LHP, Geoff Brown threw a hitless inning in game 3. Game 4 winner, RHP, Chris Anderson, in one of his better starts of the season, allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, on 4 hits over 5 innings in game 4. RHP, Freddie Cabrera, earned a hold in game four after throwing a hitless inning. Starter, LHP, Julio Urias, went in for two innings of relief in game four, allowing no hits and striking out 4.

Lancaster's Pitching

Starter, RHP, Chris Devenski earned the game 1 win after allowing 2 runs, on 3 hits, over 6 innings. RHP, Matt Heidenreich, allowed 1 hit over two innings in game 1 and 2 hits through 1 inning in game 4. RHP, Zach Morton, allowed 1 hit over four innings of work in game 2. LHP, Brian Holmes, threw 2 hitless innings in game 2. RHP, Juan Minaya, earned the game 3 win after going 2 innings and allowing an unearned run on no hits. LHP, Mitchell Lambson, earned a hold in game 3, allowing 1 hit over 1 inning. RHP, Jamaine Cotton, earned the game 3 save after tossing a hitless inning.

Roster Moves

LHP, Jack McGeary was assigned to Rancho from Ogden and then released. LHP, Robert Carson was promoted to AA, Chattanooga. LHP, Geoff Brown was assigned to Rancho from Ogden.

Upcoming Games

The Quakes and the rest of the Cal League are currently on their All-Star Break, with the all-star game being held in Wilmington, Delaware on the 17th.  The Quakes have shortstop, Corey Seager, and first baseman, Chris Jacobs, as their representatives for the game which will be played against the Carolina League All-Stars. The All-Star break ends on Thursday, June 19th, when the Inland Empire 66ers take on the Quakes at LoanMart Field. Thursday is Thirsty Thursday, Friday is a Quakes hat giveaway [First 1,500 fans], Saturday is fireworks night, and Sunday is a Cheer Rally with USC Cheer. 

Quakes scoresheet 6/14

JetHawks scoresheet 6/14

KaBoom Autographed cards

Jedi Altuve w/ Trout, Tremor, Ethier

View from the Quakes dugout

JetHawks lineup 6/14

Quakes lineup 6/14

RC to LAN

Chris Jacobs (44), Conrad Gregor (16), Brandon Dixon (5)

Coyotes and Pioneers Each Win 2, Split the Series

     In case you haven't noticed, based on the blogs name and what I post, I am a huge baseball fan. Now, Spring Training has just begun in Arizona and Florida, but unfortunately, I don't live in either of those states, so I must turn to Twitter, Instagram, and other forms of social media to get my "fix". Luckily, the ST games are just around the corner, but, for now, I'm still without a good way to spend my weekends. Or am I?

     Having just started college last September, I am fortunate enough to have a way to see live baseball games as early as February 1st, or in my case, February 15th. This next part may sound a little harsh, but I'm just being honest here. Going into Saturday's game 2, I didn't expect too much from the Coyotes, my college's team. As of friday night, they were 0-6. I wasn't sure what had happened in game 1 of the double header, aside from the final score left on the scoreboard when I walked into Fiscalini Field. The board read 4-7, Coyotes. So it looked as though we had finally won our first game of the season! 

The field being set up for game 2

     In the top of the first, the CSUEB (Cal St University East Bay) Pioneers scored 2 runs, courtesy of two base hits and an error, but the Coyotes took them right back in the bottom half of the inning with a bunt base hit and 2 sac flies. That was a sigh of relief. In the top of the third, the Pioneers scored 1 run with a ground rule double and another error and didn't look back, scoring 2 in the 5th, due to 2 base hits and a third error, and 1 more in the 6th with help from a balk and some fielders choices. The Coyotes couldn't counter and ended up falling to the Pioneers by a final score of 6-2 in the 7 inning contest. Don't get me wrong, I love 'em, but it was a bit of a let down for my first game of the 2014 season, but the important thing was that it was in fact a baseball game. 

     I had a free day on Sunday and the Coyotes were playing the Pioneers for their 4th and final game of the weekend, so I figured I'd venture down to San Bernardino and see what the Yotes could do. The game got off to an interesting start as the Pioneers scored a run in the top of the first. The Coyotes took it right back though, while adding two more, courtesy of a 3 run home run by Designated hitter, Nick Oddo. In the top of the 3rd, the Pioneers struck again, adding 1 run to the board due in part to a ground rule double. With two base hits and an intentional walk, they did the same in the top of the 5th, tying the ball game at 3. They scored one in the top of the 7th after an error and two sacrifices, and yet another in the top of the 8th after two consecutive walks and a double, making the score 5-3 in their favor. I was beginning to lose hope, but as with any game, major league, minor league, independent league, or college, I didn't leave. I gotta say, I sure am glad I didn't. I would surely have kicked myself if I had. The bottom of the 8th came up and started with an out. The next batter up got on with a base hit, followed by a hit batter, putting runners on 1st and 2nd. After an error, the bases were loaded and just in time too, as first baseman Trevor McMaster ripped a double to right center, allowing 2 runs to score. The game was now tied at 5, but the Coyotes weren't quite done yet. One pitching change, a walk, and fielders choice later, and the bases were once again loaded. Coming up to the plate to pinch hit for 3rd baseman, Aaron Owen was Richard Mount. With 2 outs and the bases loaded, the crowd, or maybe it was just me, was on the edge of their seats. Good thing we were, because Mount crushed the ball over the wall in left center field. The Coyotes were now up 9-5 and wouldn't look back. The top of the 9th then began after a ground out to first ended the 8th. The Coyotes put in Brian Jipp, who I assume is the closer, to finish the game. He had no problem setting down the first two batters, via the strikeout. The third batter of the inning hit the ball to the first baseman, who then tossed it to Jipp, who was covering first, to end the game. 

     That was an excellent way to end my 2nd game of the season! It's certainly not everyday that you get to see a 3 run home run, a grand slam, and a comeback win all in one game. I look forward to going to more games to cheer on the Coyotes and see what else this team has hidden up its sleeve.

A beautiful day for baseball at Fiscalini Field

Coyotes up 3-2 as we begin the top of the 5th

Just after Richard Mount hit a pinch hit grand slam to help the Coyotes run away with the lead

Coyotes win!

Win #2 of the 2014 season 

A round of "good games" to officially end the series

Game 1	1	2	3	4	5	6	7		R	H	E
Pioneers	2	0	1	0	2	1	0		6	8	1
Coyotes	2	0	0	0	0	0	0		2	5	3

Game 2	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pioneers	1	0	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	5	9	2
Coyotes	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	X	9	6	2