Quakes, 66ers post wins

Thursday marked the opening of the first homestand for the Quakes and the first road trip for the 66ers and both teams came away with victories,

The Quakes built a 5-0 lead then watched as Lancaster rallied for three runs in the ninth.

What started as a festive atmosphere celebrating the Quakes’ first home game as a Dodgers affiliate included some boos in the ninth as the first five JetHawks reached base against relievers Robert Romero and Steven Ames. An error by third baseman Travis Denker loaded the bases with two outs and the score 5-3, but Ames retired Jose Altuve on a fly to left and the Quakes escaped with a 5-3 victory before 3,824 at the Epicenter.

J.T. Wise had two hits, including a two-run single for the Quakes. Austin Gallagher added two hits, including a solo homer for the game’s first run in the second inning. The Quakes won despite leaving 12 runners on base.

The Sixers (5-3), meanwhile, hit the road for the first time, playing in Bakersfield for the Blaze’s home opener. Manuel Flores allowed only one run on nine hits in six innings while walking none and striking out seven as the Sixers were victorious, 6-2.

Kole Calhoun had two hits, including a 3-run homer for the Sixers while Casey Haerther had two hits and two RBIs and Matt Long had three hits and scored twice. Johnny Hellweg pitched two perfect innings in relief, striking out five of the six batters he faced for the Sixers.