Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (15-19, 52-49) needed little time to erase a five-run first-inning deficit, grabbing the lead and holding on for good by the game’s halfway point to take down the San Jose Giants (19-16, 56-45) 9-6.
However, they began chipping away at the deficit immediately. Hayden Alvarez drew a walk, and Kendrey Maduro reached on an error to open the bottom of the first, setting Kevyn Castillo up to lace an RBI single which plated Rancho Cucamonga’s first run, lowering San Jose’s advantage to four.
However, they began chipping away at the deficit immediately. Hayden Alvarez drew a walk, and Kendrey Maduro reached on an error to open the bottom of the first, setting Kevyn Castillo up to lace an RBI single to right field to plate Rancho Cucamonga’s first run, lowering San Jose’s advantage to four.
Angelo Smith came out of the bullpen in the second inning and fired two scoreless innings, giving the Quakes a platform to continue their comeback. Alvarez and Major League rehabber Adam Frazier singled to kick off the bottom of the third, placing runners on the corners. Maduro collected a base hit to bring Alvarez home, and two batters later, Angel Arredondo followed suit, chasing Frazier in. Gabriel Davalillo then promptly launched a towering three-run home run, completing Rancho Cucamonga’s own five-run rally to fire them in front 6-5.
San Jose proceeded to level the score at six on a Josuar Gonzalez sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth, but Frazier and Maduro took charge in the bottom of the inning to restore the Quakes’ edge. The former ripped a two-out double, and the latter’s single finished his trip around the bases, moving Rancho Cucamonga back in front 7-6.
At that point, the Quakes took control on the mound and shut the Giants down. Jaren Warwick and Jakob Guardado combined to throw four scoreless frames, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out three, pulling Rancho Cucamonga within three outs of victory.
Ahead of the ninth inning, though, the lineup mounted one more charge, providing extra breathing room for the pitching staff. Victor Rodriguez doubled, and Alvarez walked, positioning runners on the corners. A stolen base moved the trail runner into scoring position, enabling Frazier to produce two runs on one swing, delivering a single to lengthen the Quakes’ cushion to three runs late on.
Working with more room for error, Fulton Lockhart easily brushed the bottom of the order aside to finish the Giants off, locking down the Quakes’ fourth straight win alongside a series win.
The Quakes go for their fifth straight win in their series finale against the Giants on Sunday at 5:00 PM. LHP Alton Davis receives the starting assignment for the Quakes opposite LHP Leandro Rodriguez for San Jose. In addition to Wyndham Sunday Fun Day at Morongo Field, fans can receive the official team trading card set, and kids can run the bases postgame, courtesy of San Antonio Regional Hospital.