Ontario, Calif. – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (27-34, 63-64) were forced to play from behind multiple times on Tuesday at ONT Field, but they produced their best swings in the final innings to defeat the Ontario Tower Buzzers (36-25, 69-58) 8-6.
Early on, the Tower Buzzers got to work at the plate and built up a multi-run advantage. Abel Lorenzo’s RBI double opened the scoring in the bottom of the second, and Joendry Vargas added to it over the next couple of frames. He hit a solo home run in the third and supplied a run-scoring groundout in the fourth, placing Ontario in front 3-0 approaching the game’s midway point.
Once the sixth inning began, the Quakes caught fire at the plate. Following an Angel Arredondo walk, Gavin Grahovac launched a two-run home run, pulling with one run. Joswa Lugo and Jeffery Heard then ripped doubles, leveling the contest at three apiece in a matter of moments.
Rancho Cucamonga capped off their first comeback of the night the very next frame, establishing their first lead. Jaxon Willits roped on a leadoff double and promptly advanced to third base on an Arredondo single, placing runners on the corners. Lugo cashed in on the opportunity, grounding into a fielder’s choice that brought Willits home, firing the Quakes ahead 4-3.
The Tower Buzzers, though, delivered an immediate response. Caleb Johnson connected on a two-run home run in their half of the seventh, firing them back on top 5-4.
Rancho Cucamonga countered in their next turn at bat and immediately tied the score. Lorenzo committed an error while tracking a fly ball in right field, enabling Anyelo Marquez to cross home plate in the top of the eighth and even the two teams up at five.
Once again, Ontario turned to the long ball to swing momentum back in their direction. Jose Gonzalez belted a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth, granting the Tower Buzzers a 6-5 edge heading into the final frame.
Three outs away from defeat, the Quakes had one more rally left in their bats. Grahovac laced a leadoff single and stole second base, setting the tying run up in scoring position. Gabriel Davalillo drew a walk, and Javier Herrera made an error on a Heard ground ball, allowing Grahovac to knot the ballgame at six. Two batters later, John Wimmer stepped up to complete the turnaround, yanking a two-run double down the left field line, handing the Quakes a late two-run cushion.
Alex Martinez emerged from the bullpen and retired the top of the Tower Buzzers lineup in order, locking down a dramatic series-opening win.
The Quakes return to ONT Field on Wednesday at 6:35 PM for game two of their six-game set against the Tower Buzzers. RHP Trey Gregory-Alford, the reigning California League Pitcher of the Week, toes the rubber for Rancho Cucamonga opposite RHP Marlon Nieves for Ontario.