Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. – Derek Clark led the way for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (19-26, 55-56) on Thursday night at Morongo Field, twirling seven spectacular innings to aid a 10-2 victory over the Ontario Tower Buzzers (26-19, 59-52).
In their first turn at bat, the Tower Buzzers capitalized on a Rancho Cucamonga miscue to snare an early lead. Following a Javier Herrera one-out single, a two-base error advanced him to third base, setting up Ching-Hsien Ko to drive him in on a base hit of his own, placing Ontario on top 1-0.
However, their edge did not last long. John Wimmer ripped a two-run double in the bottom of the second inning, turning a one-run deficit into a one-run advantage.
Shortly thereafter, Ontario used a big swing to eliminate the Quakes’ momentum. Joendry Vargas supplied a solo home run in the top of the third, leveling the score at two.
Rancho Cucamonga acted quickly, and they promptly pulled back ahead in their half of the frame. Joswa Lugo drew a walk, and Jeffery Heard got hit by a pitch, placing two-out base runners on first and second. Marlon Quintero and Anyelo Marquez both took full advantage, notching consecutive run-scoring singles to provide the Quakes with a 4-2 cushion three innings in.
In front by two runs, Clark stepped up his game to silence the Tower Buzzer bats. The left-hander went on to toss four more spotless frames, ending his night by allowing just one earned run on five hits, striking out a season-high 12 batters en route to his team-leading eighth win of the season.
In the meantime, the offense continued producing behind him. Lucas Ramirez came off the bench to provide an RBI base hit in the bottom of the sixth, and two innings later, he followed up by lacing a two-run double in the eighth. Two hitters later, Joswa Lugo legged out a two-run infield single, and Jeffery Heard lined a triple into the right-field corner, capping off a five-run rally which boosted the Quakes into double figures.
Brayan Vergara emerged from the bullpen to carry Rancho Cucamonga the rest of the way. In his two-inning save, five of his six outs came on strikeouts, finishing off the comfortable win.
The Quakes look to keep up their momentum in game four of their six-game series against the Tower Buzzers on Friday at 6:30 PM. RHP Mikey Cascino takes the ball for Rancho Cucamonga opposite RHP Jack O’Connor for Ontario. The first 1,500 fans through the gates will receive a replica of Morongo Field, courtesy of Morongo Casino Resort and Spa. Former Quake and Los Angeles Angel Adam Kennedy will also make a special appearance.