San Bernardino, Calif. – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (17-23, 53-53) put the pressure on the Inland Empire 66ers (20-20, 48-58) in the late innings on Friday night at San Manuel Stadium, but the hosts rode out each momentum swing to salt away a 6-3 victory.
In the early goings, Rancho Cucamonga starter Mikey Cascino kept the Inland Empire bats quiet. Over the course of his 3.1-inning start, he did not allow a run, scattering two hits and a walk while striking out six, capping off a strong Single-A debut.
However, upon his departure, the 66ers mounted a two-out rally to open the scoring. Brayden Corn and Ryan Wynn drew back-to-back walks in the bottom of the fifth, placing runners on first and second base. Henry Ford promptly cashed them in, belting a home run to launch Inland Empire in front 3-0.
The score held over the next two frames, but the Quakes kicked their lineup into gear in the top of the eighth. Jeffery Heard laced a leadoff single, his first hit in Single-A, and Jaxon Willits walked, sending the tying run to the plate. John Wimmer immediately capitalized on the situation, blasting a three-run home run of his own to level the contest at three apiece.
Back in a tie ball game, Inland Empire took matters into their own hands. They posted another three-spot in their half of the inning, using an RBI double, sacrifice fly, and throwing error to restore their three-run edge, needing just three outs to lock down the victory.
Needing to repeat the same feat from their last turn at bat, Rancho Cucamonga could not formulate another response, succumbing to a hard-luck defeat.
The Quakes head back to San Manuel Stadium for game five of their six-game series against the Inland Empire 66ers on Saturday at 6:35 PM. RHP Ubaldo Soto gets the nod for Rancho Cucamonga opposite RHP Jose Romero for Inland Empire. Action returns to Morongo Field on August 11th at 6:30 PM when the Quakes face the Ontario Tower Buzzers on Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday and Two Dollar Tuesday.