Minor League News: Quakes Advance To Cal League Championship Series

While the Great Lakes Loons and Oklahoma City Dodgers were swept out of the playoffs, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes took the field for a deciding Game 5 on Wednesday night at LoanMart Field.

The Quakes were facing the High Desert Mavericks, who are the Texas Rangers’ affiliate. A.J. Vanegas started the game for the Quakes and went four innings, allowing four hits and two runs. The Dodgers’ affiliate took an early 3-0 lead in the second inning, but trailed 5-4 after five innings.

Heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Quakes were down by that score still. With two outs, Jack Scavuzzo walked to keep the game alive. Cody Bellinger then singles and Tyler Ogle walked to load the bases. The Quakes used Delvis Morales as a pinch-hitter, looking to at least tie the game. Morales delivered a two-run, walk-off single to send the Quakes to the California League Championship Series.

Josh Sborz, the Dodgers 74th pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, got the win by getting two outs in the top of the ninth. Spencer Navin was 1-for-3 with two RBIs, joining Morales, Joey Curletta and Willie Calhoun as Quakes with an RBI.

The Quakes start a best-of-five series on Thursday against the San Jose Giants, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Right-hander Chase De Jong will get the start for the Dodgers’ affiliate.