Fresno, Calif. – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (12-14, 48-44) had the Fresno Grizzlies (14-12, 50-42) on the ropes, but the hosts scored five times over their final two turns at bat to finish off a 5-4 comeback win in walk-off fashion on Wednesday night at Chukchansi Park.
The Quakes capitalized on their good fortune in the early stages, cashing in a pair of Fresno mistakes to plate the game’s first run on the top of the second. Anyelo Marquez led off the frame by reaching on a dropped third strike. The very next batter, Gabriel Davalillo, legged out a double on a Kyle Fossom misplay in right field, placing two runners in scoring position. Marlon Quintero then slashed a single of his own, plating Marquez to hand Rancho Cucamonga a 1-0 lead.
Three innings later, Kendrey Maduro stepped up to double the Quakes’ advantage. Hayden Alvarez laced a double and Kevyn Castillo walked, setting Maduro up for an RBI single that moved Rancho Cucamonga ahead 2-0.
All the while, Talon Haley shut the Grizzlies down at the dish. The left-hander did not allow a hit over his five shutout innings, walking three while tying his season high of eight strikeouts along the way.
Yokelvin Reyes came out of the bullpen to toss a spotless sixth, and Victor Rodriguez kept the momentum going one frame later. He launched a home run to lead off the seventh, extending the Quakes' advantage to three.
Down to their final six outs, Fresno ignited their comeback bid. Wilder Dalis belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, lowering their deficit to 3-2.
Rodriguez took matters into his own hands once again in the top of the ninth, stepping up to provide an important insurance run. He legged out a triple and promptly raced home on a wild pitch, giving the Quakes a 4-2 edge with three outs left to get.
Once again, though, the Grizzlies sprang to life at the dish in the bottom of the ninth. After loading the bases on a single and two walks, Clayton Gray tied the contest on a two-run single, and Carlos Renzullo delivered the final blow. His walk-off base hit condemned Rancho Cucamonga to a tough-luck loss.
The Quakes look to return to the win column against the Grizzlies on Thursday at 6:50 PM. RHP Trey Gregory-Alford receives the starting assignment for Rancho Cucamonga opposite RHP Marcos Herrera for Fresno. Action resumes at Morongo Field on July 28th at 6:30 PM as the Quakes host the San Jose Giants on Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday and Two Dollar Tuesday.