GUSTINE — The Gustine Reds erupted for nine runs in the first inning and never looked back Friday afternoon, rolling to a 15–2 mercy‑rule win over visiting Denair.

Denair struck first in the top of the opening frame, capitalizing after a runner reached on a passed ball and later scored on an RBI single for a brief 1–0 lead.

Gustine’s response was immediate and overwhelming. Frank Silvera (#3) tied the game with an RBI single down the third‑base line, and a passed ball brought in two more to give the Reds the lead for good. Luke Avila (#25) then launched a two‑run home run to break the inning open. Avery Ethridge (#4) and Ryan Barcelos (#1) each added two‑run singles as Gustine sent a parade of hitters to the plate in a nine‑run outburst.

On the mound, Alex Quezada (#2) settled in after the first inning and took control. He struck out the side in the second and worked efficiently through the third, helped by a defensive play that cut down a runner attempting to steal second.

The Reds kept the pressure on in the bottom of the second. Three straight walks loaded the bases before Ethridge dropped a shallow single to drive in two more. Quezada followed with a sacrifice fly, stretching the lead to 13–1.

Denair added a run in the fourth on a hit and a walk, but Gustine answered again. Quezada delivered the final blow with a two‑run home run in the bottom half, pushing the margin to 15–2.

Quezada and the Reds’ defense closed the door in the fifth. Despite a hit‑by‑pitch and a walk, Quezada bookended the inning with strikeouts to end the game via the mercy rule.

“My arm felt good and my sliders were moving well,” Quezada said. “I gave up a couple, but our team and their effort on defense and at the plate got us back into the win column. Everyone performed.”

The Reds improved to 5–3 and sit in third place in the Southern League standings.