Storm Fail To Sweep In Series Finale

Pitching falters in 11-2 loss to Inland Empire

By Tyler Zickel, Assistant Director of Media Relations

June 25, 2014

San Bernardino, CA - The Lake Elsinore Storm saw their four-game winning streak end Wednesday afternoon in an 11-2 loss to the Inland Empire 66ers.

Lake Elsinore jumped out to an early lead in the second. Gabriel Quintana doubled with one out, and Duanel Jones singled him home to extend his hitting streak to ten and put the Storm up 1-0.

The advantage would be short-lived, as the 66ers got to starter Zach Eflin (L, 5-5) for two in the bottom of the inning. Eflin worked four innings and allowed three runs on seven hits.

Down 3-1, the Eyes cut the deficit to one in the fifth. Benji Gonzalez led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Jeremy Rodriguez hit a grounder to first that looked to be an easy out, but the ball got by first baseman Wade Hinkle and into right field for the lone error of the game. Gonzalez took advantage of a weak throw and scampered home to make it 3-2.

Inland Empire ruined any idea of a comeback by putting up five in the fifth, two in the seventh and one in the eighth to win 11-2 and avoid the sweep.

Of note: Storm catcher Jeremy Rodriguez made his 2014 pitching debut in the penultimate frame, facing four batters and striking out one in an inning of work.

The road trip continues tomorrow as the Storm (44-33/4-3) travel to Lancaster for the first of four with the JetHawks (46-31/2-5). Colin Rea (5-5, 3.50 ERA) will oppose Josh Hader (7-0, 2.27 ERA). First pitch is slated for 6:30pm.