:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61250255/IMG_5720.0.0.jpg)
The Quakes took an early lead and then with a four-run sixth inning, they went on to a 8-1 win on Saturday night. Now they will face the winner of today’s Stockton Ports (Athletics) against Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) matchup at Stockton in the California League Championship Series.
But that result wasn’t the only good news for the Dodger minor-league affiliates. Both Tulsa and Ogden won, so they will each play their respective final games of their series with the winner moving on.
And finally, Oklahoma City and Memphis could play two games today to decide their series. The Dodgers need to win the first game of their tentative double-header to force a Game 5 second game.
Player of the Game
Drew Jackson and Gavin Lux provided big hits for Tulsa today as they needed to win to force a Game 5 in their series.
All of Jackson’s hits were for extra-bases as he had two doubles and a triple. Lux also had two doubles as the Drillers were able to win 5-3 on Saturday.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
The Dodgers find themselves in a familiar situation as they have a possible double-header scheduled for Games 4 and if necessary Game 5 against the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals).
Saturday’s game was postponed due to rain. If the Dodgers win Game 4, they will play Game 5 as the second game of the double-header.
On the last day of the regular season, the Dodgers were at Colorado Springs where they also had a tentative double-header scheduled. The second game would only be played if the Dodgers won the first game.
The Dodgers will hope to match their performance on Labor Day and win two games to advance to the Pacific Coast League Championship series.
Double-A Tulsa
The Drillers won 5-3 over the Arkansas Travelers (Mariners) to tie their Best-of-5 series at two games apiece. The two teams will play Game 5 today at Tulsa to decide who advances to the Texas League Championship series.
Drew Jackson was a key component of the offense on Saturday. Jackson tripled and scored in the first inning, He drove in the second run on a sacrifice fly.
And then with the game tied 2-2 in the eighth inning, Jackson doubled home the tie-breaking run and he would later score what would be the winning run.
Jackson would go 3-for-3 with two doubles and a triple. Gavin Lux had two doubles.
Andrew Sopko started for the Drillers and he pitched six scoreless innings. He gave up three hits and had one strikeout. Shea Spitzbarth took a two-run lead to the eighth inning and with two on and two outs, he threw a wild pitch to put both runners in scoring position.
Kyle Lewis took advantage of that mistake and drove in both runs to tie the game. However after the Drillers retook the lead, Spitzbarth came out to finish the game.
Joseph Odom hit a solo home run to leadoff the ninth inning but then Spitzbarh was able to retire the side and give the Drillers life for one more day.
Class-A Rancho Cucamonga
It is a cliché but Rancho Cucamonga Quakes manager Drew Saylor told me before their game today that his message is always to “win the day.” The Quakes were able to win the day by beating the Lancaster JetHawks (Rockies) 8-1 on Saturday night at LoanMart Field.
The win gave them a 3-1 series win and meant they will have an off-day before they travel somewhere on Monday night. Their destination won’t be known until later today when Stockton and Visalia finish their series.
The Quakes took the lead the first inning when Carlos Rincon hit his second postseason home run to give them a 2-0 lead. Max Gamboa started for the Quakes and he had held the JetHawks scoreless through four innings.
In the fifth inning, with two on and two out, Gamboa gave up a single and JetHawks scored their first run in the last two games. After a walk, Gamboa was replaced by Logan Salow who got a ground out to end the inning.
In the sixth inning, Jeren Kendall singled with one out. Kendall stole second and moved to third on a bad throw. Kendall then scored on a contact play with batter safe at first.
After a walk, Cody Thomas singled home the second run of the inning and then things got weird. Carlos Rincon singled home the third run and then Rincon got caught in a rundown. With the fielders chasing Rincon, Thomas was able to race home to make it 7-1.
Their final run scored when Steve Berman had an infield single and reached second on an error. A fly ball moved him to third base. Thomas finished his night with his fourth hit to score Berman.
Rookie Pioneer League Ogden
The Raptors defeated the Grand Junction Rockies 7-5 on Saturday to tie their Best-of-3 series 1-1. The series will now head over to Grand Junction for Game 3.
With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth, James Outman hit a three-run homer to give them back the lead. The lead was dropped to a run after the Rockies scored two runs in the fifth inning.
But then another home run, this time a two-run shot by Niko Hulsizer made it 7-4 after five innings.
The Rockies would get the lead down to two runs but would get no closer.
Orlandy Navarro, who would get the win, Connor Mitchell and Elio Serrano came in relief for the Raptors and they pitched 4⅓ innings and gave up one run. Serrano got the save.
Transactions
There were no transactions reported on Saturday September 8th.
Saturday’s scores
Rancho Cucamonga 8, Lancaster 1
Sunday’s schedule
11:05 a.m. PT: Tulsa (Mitchell White) vs. Arkansas (Williams Perez) (Game 5)
12:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Zach Neal & TBD) at Memphis (Mike Mayers & Austin Warner) (Games 4 and 5 [if necessary])
4:00 p.m.: Ogden (TBD) at Grand Junction (TBD) (Game 3)