The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes jumped out on top with a three-run homer from DH Alex De Jesus in the first inning Tuesday night and went on to beat the Grizzlies in Fresno by a score of 5-1. RHP Jimmy Lewis went 2 2/3 scoreless innings and RHP Hyun-il Choi (W, 4-3) came on to cover 5 1/3 innings with only 1 ER as the Quakes held the Grizzlies to just five hits.
With two outs in the top of the first, Rancho Cucamonga got things going with an HBP of 3B Jorbit Vivas and a single from C Diego Cartaya. De Jesus followed with a long homer to LF to put the Quakes up for good. They added on in the second inning with a single from 1B Sauryn Lao, a walk to CF Edwin Mateo followed by a single from RF Ismael Alcantara to load the bases. One more run came across on a passed ball that brought in Lao to make it 4-0.
Grizzlies’ starter LHP Sam Weatherly had been laboring to that point but he struck out the next three batters and went on to pitch effectively until leaving the game after 5 2/3 IP. Weatherly allowed four runs (3 ER) on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts. He threw 88 pitches, 54 for strikes.
A sac fly by SS Eddys Leonard put the Quakes up 5-0 in the top of the 7th to finish off their scoring
The Grizzlies got on the board in the bottom of the 7th inning when C Drew Romo led off with a triple and came home on an RBI single by LF Daniel Montano.
Choi allowed just one run on four hits and no walks with six strikeouts in getting the win as he threw 57 pitches, 44 for strikes.
Rancho Cucamonga (25-23) stayed two games ahead of Inland Empire in the South division while Fresno (30-19) dropped to four games back of San Jose in the North.
SCOREBOARD
INLAND EMPIRE – 5
LAKE ELSINORE – 4
Box
MODESTO – 17
VISALIA – 5
Box
SAN JOSE – 9
STOCKTON – 2
Box
