RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Matt Dennis set a career-high with 11 strikeouts, but Lancaster fell to Rancho Cucamonga, 3-1, Saturday night at LoanMart Field. Dennis took the loss despite allowing only two runs in six innings.

Dennis (7-12) only allowed runs on one swing Saturday. Cristian Santana, who leads the Cal League with 88 RBI, hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to put the Quakes up for good.

Dennis struck out 11 batters, setting a new career-high. The righty struck out 10 in a game versus Rancho Cucamonga earlier this season. The 11 strikeouts are the most for a Lancaster starter this season.

Lancaster (30-19, 64-56) scored in the second inning on a Carlos Herrera groundout to go in front, but the offense failed to add any runs. The JetHawks went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position Saturday, striking out 13 times.

Rancho’s Max Gamboa (2-1) also struck out 11 over six innings. Lancaster put men on second and third with nobody out in the sixth, but Gamboa responded by striking out three consecutive hitters to keep the Quakes on top.

Rancho Cucamonga (35-14, 70-49) added a run in the seventh inning. Heath Holder walked four batters in the inning, leading to the Rancho run. Lancaster’s bullpen walked six in two innings.

Colton Welker went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, ending his hitting streak at 20 games. The JetHawks were held to six hits Saturday, five of which were singles.

The JetHawks need a win Sunday to avoid a sweep in Rancho. Brandon Gold (9-6) goes for his tenth win against Rancho Cucamonga’s Leo Crawford (4-0). First pitch from LoanMart Field is at 2:05 pm.