San Bernardino, Calif. – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (17-24, 53-54) had opportunities to take control of their Saturday night contest against the Inland Empire 66ers (21-20, 49-58) at San Manuel Stadium, but the hosts held firm in the biggest moments to hand them a 6-4 defeat.
The middle of the Rancho Cucamonga stepped up in the top of the second, handing them an early lead. Gabriel Davalillo laced a leadoff single, and Angel Arrendondo followed it up by doubling to the top of the center field wall. Marlon Quintero then rolled a ball to third, causing an error that allowed Davalillo to score, placing the Quakes on top 1-0.
One frame later, the 66ers mounted a response. A pair of RBI singles and a run-scoring double resulted in three quick tallies, firing Inland Empire ahead 3-1 heading into the middle innings.
Playing from behind for the first time, Rancho Cucamonga swiftly pulled even in their next trip to the plate. Jeffery Heard launched a two-run home run in the top of the fourth, quickly leveling the game at three apiece.
Once again, though, Inland Empire was quick to react, canceling out the Quakes' two-spot in their half of the frame. Hayden Yost delivered an RBI single, and Ace Reese contributed a sacrifice fly, restoring their lead to two.
Nick Becker added a sacrifice fly of his own in the bottom of the fifth, but from that point forward, the Rancho Cucamonga bullpen shut the 66ers lineup down. Jakob Guardado contributed two scoreless innings, and Marco Vega retired the side in order in the eighth, keeping the Quakes within striking distance.
Quintero pulled a run back in the top of the eighth, immediately cashing in an Arredondo walk by slashing a triple down the right field line. However, the Quakes could not make up any more ground. A pair of Inland Empire relievers managed to keep them from building upon the late momentum, locking down a narrow victory.
The Quakes make one last trip to San Manuel Stadium on Sunday at 5:35 PM for their series finale versus the 66ers. RHP C.J. Gray starts in his Single-A debut for Rancho Cucamonga opposite RHP Aiden Butler for Inland Empire. Baseball comes back to Morongo Field on August 11th at 6:30 PM when the Ontario Tower Buzzers roll into town on Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday and Two Dollar Tuesday.