Extra Innings with Lauren: 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.