Rough First Inning Too Much To Overcome For Lake Elsinore
Thursday night was the fourth and final game of the series with Rancho Cucamonga.
The Storm went in to the game looking to seal the series having already taken two of the first three contests. Lake Elsinore manager Edwin Rodriguez handed the ball to pitcher Jesse Scholtens. Things started a bit rough, as Drew Jackson worked a leadoff walk. By the time the Quakes reached the sixth batter in their lineup, the score was 5-0. Scholtens surrendered two singles, a triple and a home run before he was able to get the last two outs of the inning.
The lone bright spot in the Storm half of the first inning was a stolen base by center fielder Michael Getty’s. His speed and aggressive base running skills are a real asset every time he gets on base.
The second inning went much better for Scholtens; he did give up another single and a walk, but was able to keep the Quakes to one run by getting Yusniel Diaz to ground into a double play. Scholtens settled down and would get through the next three innings without giving up any more runs.
The Storm was able to get on the scoreboard in their half of the inning. Catcher Wilfri De La Cruz made his Storm debut and, in his first High-A at bat, drove a ball down the right field line for a double and an RBI. He ended the night going 3-4 leading the team in hits.
The Storm was able to score again in the third inning when Gettys reached on an error and then again stole second base. He is proving to be a stolen base threat every time he reaches base. He was then driven home on a double to right center by Austin Allen. That would be as close as Lake Elsinore would get, until the bottom of the ninth.
Carlos Belen lead off the inning with a double to left field. With his third hit of the night, Wilfri De La Cruz would move Belen to third base, producing a single up the middle. Another Storm new comer Boomer White would drive Belen in with a sacrifice fly to right field. Quakes closer Tony Gonsolin would work out of the jam by getting Taylor Kohlwey to ground out and Josh Naylor to line out to center.
After a rough first inning, the Storm were able to pull it together and make a game out of it.
Lake Elsinore will continue the home stand, Friday night, against Inland Empire at 7:00pm.
News and Notes
A few notable coaches from the Padre’ organization have made appearances this week in the Storm’ dugout.
Steve Finley has been helping during batting practice and ex-pitchers Mark Prior and Hideo Nomo have been working with the Storm pitching staff.
Rumor has it that Nomo is helping pitching coach Glendon Rusch teach the splitter to Zech Lemond.
Logan Allen will make his Storm debut Sunday night.
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