Early lead holds as Storm stave off sweep

LAKE ELSINORE - A three-run first proved to be the difference Thursday, as the Lake Elsinore Storm defeated the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 6-2 at The Diamond to avoid a three-game sweep.

Rancho got to Storm starter T.J. Weir (W, 2-2) for a run in the first, but The Eyes responded with three of their own in the bottom of the frame. Three consecutive singles loaded the bases with no outs, setting the stage for Franmil Reyes' RBI knock to tie the game 1-1. After another run scored on a throwing error by Quakes pitcher Grant Holmes (L, 3-2), Jose Ruiz stepped in with one out and the bases juiced. The Storm catcher hit a hard ground ball in the 5.5 hole that was deflected by the third baseman into shallow left field for an RBI single that made it 3-1.

Weir - who was making just his second start of the season after beginning 2016 in the bullpen - took it from there. The Kokomo, Indiana native went on to allow just three hits and no runs over his next four innings, striking out five en route to his first-career California League win as a starter.

The Storm added an insurance run in the sixth. Luis Urias sparked a two-out rally with a single and Javier Guerra followed with a walk. Franchy Cordero plated Urias with a single to put Lake Elsinore up 4-2.

Both teams would score again - Rancho plated a run in the seventh and the Storm scored two in the eighth - but Lake Elsinore prevailed 6-2.

NOTABLES

• 2B Luis Urias: 3-5, 3 R, RBI, 3B
  • Raised average to a team-best .303
• CF Franchy Cordero: 3-4, R, 2 RBI
• RHP T.J. Weir: 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K

The home stand continues tomorrow night at The Diamond, as the Bakersfield Blaze come to town for the first of four games. Dinelson Lamet (6-1, 1.67 ERA) will opoosed Anthony Misiewicz (1-4, 4.25 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7pm.