The Inland Empire 66ers gave up two runs in the top of the 12th inning against Lake Elsinore, then scored three in the bottom half to walk off with an 8-7 win on Thursday night. SS Jose Guzman capped off the rally with an RBI single to give the 66ers the win for the second night in a row, keeping pace with Rancho Cucamonga in the South division.
The teams went into extra innings tied up at 5-5 and neither could get a run home for two innings. Then in the top of the 12th Lake Elsinore cashed in with an RBI single by INF Jarryd Dale followed by an RBI double by CF Robert Hassell III to take a 7-5 lead.
The 66ers came back with a run scored by the installed runner on a HBP, wild pitch, walk and a groundout to cut the lead to 7-6. After an intentional walk to RF Edwin Yon, DH Jose Reyes singled in the tying run. Another intentional walk set up Guzman’s game-winner.
Yon went 3-for-4 with two walks and his 10th home run for Inland Empire and is now 9 for his last 22 with three HRs.
RHP Coleman Crow got a no-decision for his six-inning start where he allowed 3 runs (2ER) on 6 hits and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts. LHP Jerryell Rivera (W, 1-1) came on in relief in the 12th inning and got three outs while allowing a walk with one strikeout.
SS Jordy Barley went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for Lake Elsinore. Robert Hassell III and C Brandon Valenzuela both had two hits.
The 66ers are 36-32 and stayed a game back of Rancho Cucamonga in the South standings, although both teams are a ways back from a playoff spot. The Fresno Grizzlies (47-42) and San Jose Giants (44-25) somehow both lost on the same night, but both North division clubs remain firmly locked into the two playoff spots.
SCOREBOARD
STOCKTON – 10
SAN JOSE – 5
Box
MODESTO – 8
FRESNO – 4
Box
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – 9
VISALIA – 4
Box
