Quakes outlast Mavericks 18-16 in 13 innings

Even in a place that is prone to crazy games, this one was especially crazy.

The Quakes rallied from an eight-run deficit, blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning, before scoring four times in the top of the 13th and held on for an 18-16 victory over the High Desert Mavericks before 738 fans in Adelanto late on Wednesday night.

The victory moved the Quakes (59-69) to within a half game of the Mavericks (59-68) for the South Division’s final playoff spot. The runs and the hits (22) were both season-highs for the Quakes. The game took 5 hours, 8 minutes.

With the score tied 14-14 in the top of the 13th, Casio Grider hit an RBI single to break the tie and the Quakes went on to score three more times. The game also featured ejections of two High Desert players in the top of the 13th.

But the Mavericks weren’t done. A walk and a double against Raydel Sanchez put two on with two out and a Corey Seager throwing error allowed two runs to score and brought the tying run to the plate. Left fielder Noel Cuevas caught the final flyball at the fence to end the game.

After the Mavericks scored nine runs in the fourth inning to take a 11-3 lead, the Quakes scored the next 11 runs, including four runs in the eighth and four more in the ninth. Casio Grider’s RBI single tied the score and Noel Cuevas’ RBI single gave the Quakes the lead in the ninth.

But the Mavericks rallied against Quakes relievers Craig Stem and Edwin Carl. Michael Dowd’s sacrifice fly capped a three-run ninth-inning rally.

The Quakes actually had some great relief performances. Matt Shelton (5-2) pitched three shutout innings of relief for the win, and prior to that, Joel Lima (2 2/3 innings) and Juan Noriega (1 2/3 innings) each pitched shutout relief.

Noel Cuevas was 4 for 8 with three runs, a home run and three RBIs for the Quakes. Scott Schebler had two hits and five RBIs, Pratt Maynard had 4 for 6 with four runs and an RBI and Darnell Sweeney and O’Koyea Dickson also homered for the Quakes.

Ketel Marte was 4 for 6 with three runs and three RBIs to lead the Mavericks.

In the other local Cal League game on Wednesday, the 66ers defeated the Bakersfield Blaze 5-3, at San Manuel Stadium.