San Bernardino, Calif. – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (17-20, 53-50) kicked their offense into gear in the nick of time at San Manuel Stadium on Tuesday night, using an eighth-inning offensive outburst to turn a three-run deficit into a two-run lead on the way to an 8-6 series-opening victory over the Inland Empire 66ers (17-20, 45-58).
Early on, both starting pitchers kept the opposing lineups quiet. Both Talon Haley and Connor Wilford retired each of the first nine batters they faced, taking matching dominant outings into the middle frames.
At that point, Rancho Cucamonga's lineup sprang to life. Jaxon Willits and Gavin Grahovac launched back-to-back solo home runs, their first professional hits and long balls, handing the Quakes the lead in the top of the fourth. Major League rehabber Sebastián Rivero then reached on a hit by a pitch and immediately advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Two batters later, a Marlon Quintero ground ball led to a throwing error, allowing Rivero to come home and increase their advantage to 3-0.
One frame later, Inland Empire responded. Dervy Ventura drew a bases-loaded walk, and Hayden Yost registered a three-run double, boosting the 66ers ahead 4-3.
The hosts continued piling on in the late innings, producing two more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Nick Becker recorded a leadoff single, and Starlin Aguilar cashed it in right away, lifting a two-run home run to spot the 66ers a 6-3 edge heading into the late stages.
However, the Quakes refused to go down quietly and quickly rallied for five runs before their first out in their next turn at bat. Willits started it off by drawing a walk, and he promptly moved up 90 feet on a Grahovac fielder’s choice. Anyelo Marquez then ripped a two-run double into the right-center field gap, lowering the deficit to one. Subsequent Angel Arredondo and Marlon Quintero free passes loaded the bases, setting up Lucas Ramirez to complete the comeback. He took full advantage of the opportunity, drilling a three-run two-bagger of his own to fire Rancho Cucamonga in front 8-6.
Down to their final six outs, Inland Empire mounted threats of their own, placing at least two runners on base in their last two turns at the dish. Rancho Cucamonga’s bullpen, though, shut them down both times. Victor Garcia navigated around a jam with the go-ahead run in the batter’s box in the eighth inning, and Alex Martinez stranded the bases full of 66ers in the ninth, sealing the dramatic win.
The Quakes head back to San Manuel Stadium for game two of their six-game series against the 66ers on Wednesday at 6:35 PM. RHP Trey Gregory-Alford takes the mound for Rancho Cucamonga opposite RHP Dylan Wilson for Inland Empire. Play resumes at Morongo Field on August 11th at 6:30 PM as the Ontario Tower Buzzers head to town on Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday and Two Dollar Tuesday.