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RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- The Quakes had put up eight and nine runs in their first two wins over the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres), and that production continued on Saturday as the Quakes beat the Storm 13-3 for their third win over the Storm and fourth straight overall.
The winning pitcher was A.J. Vanegas who relieved starter Michael Johnson. Vanegas pitched a perfect fifth and sixth innings. Ramon Benjamin pitched two more scoreless innings and Jacob Rhame struck out two in his inning to finish the game.
The Quakes took a 3-0 lead, scoring in the first inning when Joey Curletta hit his seventh double to drive in Devan Ahart. Two more runs scored on a hit batter and sacrifice fly.
The three run lead did not last long because after the Storm loaded the bases in the top of the 2nd, two walks by Johnson scored two runs.
However, after a single and sacrifice, Brandon Trinkwon singled in Spencer Navin to make it 4-2. A solo home run by Storm catcher Robert Kral again made it a one run game.
But then the Quakes broke the game open, scoring three runs in 6th and then four more runs in the 7th.
Adam Law had three hits. Devan Ahart, Trinkwon, Curletta, Navin, Jarek Cunningham, and Cody Bellinger all had two hits.
The Quakes tacked on a final run in the eighth on three hits.
Notes: Michael Johnson was making his second career start; the left-hander had worked exclusively in relief until this season. His fastball touched 90 mph and his off speed pitches were around 80 MPH. He went four innings, giving up three runs, three hits, five walks and three strikeouts.
New Quakes manager Bill Haselman is familiar with many of his players, managing 17 of them last year when he skippered the Great Lakes Loons.
The Quakes have a familiar sounding promotion to local sports fans. When they score seven or more runs at home, they hand out coupons for free tacos. Friday's game was the third straight game with those coupons being handed out to fans. That goes for any home game, win or lose, with seven or more runs for the Quakes.