Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Sweep Series with Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernadino

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – Rancho Cucamonga, CA- The Quakes and 66ers finished up their three game series at the Epicenter with a Rancho sweep. Tommy Mendoza was outstanding for the third time in four starts as he allowed just one run in seven innings of work, allowing six hits and striking out three.

The game was scoreless until the 7th when Matt Berezay sent a 1-0 pitch over the right field fence for his second home run of the season, to give Inland Empire a 1-0 lead.

The lead would not last long as the Quakes had some one out magic as well. After an Anthony Norman walk, PJ Phillips singled to right and 66ers’ starter Alberto Bastardo was taken out. Javy Guerra then came in and allowed an RBI single to Flint Wipke to tie the game 1-1. With runners on the corners, Tadd Brewer laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to drive in Phillips to take a 2-1 lead.

In the top of the ninth, the Quakes sent Barret Browning to the hill in search of his fifth save. With one out, Eduardo Perez singled to left and Tommy Giles walked. Berezay then grounded softly to second to get runners on second and third with two outs. On the second pitch to pinch hitter Carlos Santana, Browning threw a wild pitch allowing pinch runner Jaime Pedroza to score and tie the game 2-2.

Rancho had a chance to win in the 9th with runners on first and second with one out, but Larry Infante bounced into a double play to end the inning.

The Quakes came through in the 10th however, after Rain Kiniry pinch hit and reached on an error, Peter Bourjos sacrificed him to second with one out. Abel Nieves and Wil Ortiz then walked to load the bases for Mark Trumbo. After a meeting at the mound, Jordan Pratt unleashed the first pitch to the back stop allowing Kiniry to score the winning run, giving the Quakes a 3-2 win.

Rancho took four of six on the homestand, and have won four straight games for the first time this season. The Quakes will head north to High Desert for the first of a three game series. Amalio Diaz gets the ball for the Quakes against Anthony Varvaro of the Mavericks.