Offense stifled in 2-1 loss to High Desert

LAKE ELSINORE - The Lake Elsinore Storm could only muster a first inning home run in a 2-1 loss to the High Desert Mavericks Tuesday, dropping the Storm below .500 for the first time this season.

Franchy Cordero connected for his third home run of 2016 with a lead-off long ball in the bottom of the first, but Mavericks starter Yohander Mendez (W, 3-0) gave up just three more hits while striking out nine over five innings.

Storm starter Christian Friedrich - a big leaguer who recently signed a Minor League contract with the San Diego Padres - was solid in his second outing for The Eyes. The lefty went five innings, scattered six hits and struck out three while allowing only one run in the fourth that tied the game 1-1.

High Desert struck the fatal blow in the sixth. The Mavs got to reliever T.J. Weir (L, 0-1) for a pair of doubles to score the eventual game-winning run. Chris Huffman worked three innings of scoreless relief, but Lake Elsinore's offense couldn't find traction in what was a 2-1 loss.

River Stevens recorded a multi-hit game with a two for three performance and Felipe Blanco notched his first Storm hit of 2016.

The series continues tomorrow night at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore. Martires Arias (0-1, 3.60 ERA) will oppose High Desert's Ariel Jurado (2-0, 4.20 ERA), with first pitch set for 6pm.

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