ICYMI: Storm Fall 2-1 to Lancaster, Fall Out Of First Half Contention

Game Summary:
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif - Though the Storm won a five-game series against Lancaster, the visiting Jethawks defeated the San Diego Padres' affiliate on Sunday, 2-1, for their second straight win at The Diamond. With the loss the Storm fell out of contention for a possible first half title as Rancho Cucamonga has qualified for the playoffs in the South Division.
Lake Elsinore sent 19-year-old Columbian, RHP Luis Patiño, to the mound for the final home game of the first half. Patino, in his 10^th California League start, retired the first six hitters and struck out six over six innings of work. But he allowed a run in the third on three hits and likewise in the fourth inning, enough offense for Lancaster's RHP Antonio Santos to improve his record to 3-3.
Santos gave up only two hits in seven shutout innings, at one point retiring 14 consecutive batters. The Storm avoided getting shutout for the second straight game when LF Allen Córdoba drilled a home run to left field to lead off the bottom of the ninth, but an E-6, a double play and a game ending strikeout finished off the hosts and any first half hopes for Lake Elsinore.
The Storm are now seven games back of the Dodgers' affiliate, Rancho Cucamonga, with only five games remaining, all in Rancho, to close out the first half.       
Noteworthy:
Nick Kuzia /RHP:                Pitched two scoreless innings in relief, one hit, three strikeouts
Allen Córdoba /LF:            Hit solo HR bottom of ninth to avoid shutout (first HR since his first game 5/2 at RC)
Storm Team: The Storm has won the first half title three times in 25 seasons, with 2010 being the last year the team qualified at the midway point for a September playoff run.
WP:        Antonio Santos (3-3)
LP:          Luis Patino (4-5)
Save:     Moises Ceja (1-2)            
HR:         LE: Cordoba (2^nd, solo, B9) | LAN: None
Time:     2:54
Att:        1,700
On Deck:             
On Wednesday, June 12 at 7:05pm, LHP Aaron Leasher will be opposed by Rancho Cucamonga's LHP, Leo Crawford, in Game One of a five-game series at LoanMart Field. The Storm will begin the second half of the season, and a seven-game home stand, on Thursday, June 20 at The Diamond. For the best available seats buy online at stormbaseball.com or call 951-245-4487.