Ontario, Calif. – The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (29-35, 65-65) could not make their multi-run lead stand up in the final innings at ONT Field on Friday night as the Ontario Tower Buzzers (37-37, 70-60) came alive at the dish late on, resulting in a 9-6 defeat.
It did not take long for the Quakes to open the scoring as they rallied for two runs in the top of the second. A Luis Carias wild pitch allowed Gabriel Davalillo to cross home plate, and moments later, John Wimmer worked a bases-loaded walk, handing Rancho Cucamonga the early edge.
However, the Tower Buzzers neutralized it immediately. They responded by plating two runs in their half of the inning, pulling even at two apiece.
With the score tied back, Joswa Lugo wasted no time restoring the Quakes' lead. He blasted a solo home run in the top of the third, firing them back in front 3-2.
Once again, though, Ontario had a response. Oswaldo Osorio laced an RBI double, leveling the contest back up at three heading into the middle frames.
Both pitching staffs held the opposing lineups quiet over the next three innings, but Rancho Cucamonga woke their bats back up to begin the seventh. Following a Jonathan Linares walk and Samil Dishmey double, Angel Arredondo blooped a single into center field, propelling the Quakes back on top. Lugo then walked to load the bases, and subsequent free passes to Jeffery Heard and Anyelo Marquez supplied another pair of runs, building up a late 6-3 advantage.
Nevertheless, the Tower Buzzers were quick to counter. Their lineup erupted for a six-run rally in the bottom of the frame, turning a three-run deficit into a three-run cushion with six outs separating them from victory.
Playing from behind for the first time, the Quakes hit the comeback trail in the top of the ninth, using base hits from Davalillo, Marquez, and Linares to fill the bases and place the go-ahead run in the batter’s box. At that point, though, their offense ran out of gas, and the Tower Buzzers managed to shut Rancho Cucamonga down, capping off a heartbreaking loss.
The Quakes aim for a return to form on Saturday at 6:05 PM as they take on the Tower Buzzers in the penultimate game of the 2026 season at ONT Field. RHP Angel Rivero receives the starting assignment for the Quakes opposite LHP Charlie West for Ontario.