San Bernardino, Calif. – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (17-25, 53-55) could not put the pieces of a late comeback together in their series finale against the Inland Empire 66ers (22-20, 50-58), succumbing to a 6-5 defeat on Sunday evening at San Manuel Stadium.
Right away, the Quakes got off to a hot start at the plate. Jaxon Willits legged out a bunt single on the first pitch of the contest, and the very next batter, John Wimmer, doubled him home from first base. Gabriel Davalillo then grounded a single through the middle of the infield to bring Wimmer home, handing Rancho Cucamonga a 2-0 lead a half-inning in.
However, the 66ers immediately eliminated their early deficit. Hayden Yost delivered a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first, and Starlin Aguilar’s fielder’s choice pulled Inland Empire level at two apiece.
A Yost sacrifice fly placed the hosts on top one frame later, but the Quakes fought back as the game reached its midway point. Gavin Grahovac singled, and Davalillo doubled, placing two base runners in scoring position with two outs. Angel Arredondo stepped up and came through in a big spot, lacing a two-run single into center field, firing Rancho Cucamonga in front 4-3.
Once again, though, the 66ers were quick to mount a response. Henry Ford launched a leadoff home run to start their half of the inning, re-tying the score. Moments later, Ryan Wynn supplied an RBI single, and Dervy Ventura followed it up by stinging a run-scoring double, establishing a 6-4 advantage.
Trailing by two, the Quakes went to work moving back into contention in the top of the sixth. Jeffery Heard beat out an infield hit, and after advancing to second on a groundout, Willits singled him in, pulling Rancho Cucamonga within one.
At that point, the bullpen figured the Inland Empire lineup out and kept them quiet. Angelo Smith twirled two spotless frames, stranding the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth before retiring the side in order in the seventh. Alex Martinez entered in the eighth, leaving two 66ers in scoring position to keep the Quakes behind by one down to their final three outs.
Rancho Cucamonga managed to put the tying run aboard in their final turn at bat, as Davalillo got hit by a pitch. Nevertheless, that was as close as they would come to another even scoreline. The 66ers promptly slammed the door, resulting in another narrow loss.
The Quakes return to Morongo Field on Tuesday at 6:30 PM to open a new six-game series against the Ontario Tower Buzzers. Fans will be welcomed back to the ballpark for Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday and Two Dollar Tuesday. \In addition to $2 hot dogs, popcorn, and tacos all night long, anyone who redeems 10 or more bottles or cans will receive up to four tickets, courtesy of Healthy RC.