ICYMI: Storm Topple The Giants, 8-7, In 14 Innings To Move Within A Half Game Of First Place

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. - Winning in walk-off fashion has become commonplace for the Lake Elsinore, as the Padres' affiliate won in their final at bat for the fourth time in their last five home games, defeating the San Jose Giants, 8-7, in 14 innings on Tuesday night on an infield single from CF Jeisson Rosario that plated RF Jack Suwinski from second in the dramatic win.
On a night when 13 pitchers were used, and over 400 pitches were thrown, it was infielder Ruddy Giron who earned the victory, as the Storm outlasted the San Francisco Giants' affiliate in five hours and eight minutes at The Diamond.
Lake Elsinore starter Luis Patiño, coming off a dominating start in San Jose last week (8.1 IP, perfect through five innings, zero runs, three hits, 9 K/0 BB), struck out eight and walked one over five innings of work. The 19-year-old from Columbia left the game with a 4-2 lead and handed the ball over to All-Star RHP Elliot Ashbeck, who retired seven in a row before surrendering a one-out triple by Heath Quinn followed by a two-run home run off the bat of Courtney Hawkins that tied the game at four in the top of the eighth inning.
Both teams scored two runs in the 11^th inning, and it remained 6-6 until the 14^th inning when the Storm brought in a position player to work out of the bullpen. Ruddy Giron, the infielder-turned-reliever for a night, allowed one unearned run on one hit, striking out one while giving the home team another chance at a walk-off win.
Trailing 7-6 in the bottom of the 14^th inning, Storm SS Gabriel Arias fourth hit of the night scored LF Aldemar Burgos to tie the game at seven. With two outs and nobody on, RF Jack Suwinski singled to right off LHP John Gavin, the San Jose native, who then walked 1B Olivier Basabe, setting the stage for Rosario's game winner.
Lake Elsinore is 59-55 overall and 24-22 in the second half, a half-game behind Lancaster and Rancho Cucamonga with 24 games remaining. The Storm have six remaining games against the Quakes and will play Lancaster 11 times in the final 20 games, including August 30-September 2 at home to close out the regular season.
Noteworthy:
RHP Javy Guerra: One inning, zero runs, zero walks, two strikeouts
RHP Seth Blair: Two innings, zero earned runs, zero walks, four strikeouts
INF Ruddy Giron: Winning pitcher, zero earned runs, zero walks, one strikeout
Storm Pitchers: Combined to strike out 19 batters, allowed two walks (San Jose pitchers, 12 walks)
SS Gabriel Arias: 4-6, two RBI (55, second on team), one double (18), has hit in four in a row (20 of 22)
2B Xavier Edwards: 3-5, one triple (2), two RBI (9), one run, one stolen base (9), now 14-23 vs. San Jose
CF Jeisson Rosario: 2-6, one run, one walk (67, leads league), game-winning hit bottom of the 14^th inning
WP: Ruddy Giron (1-0)
LP: John Gavin (2-8)
Save: None        
HR: LE: None | SJ: Hawkins (9^th, two-run, T8)
Time: 5:08
Att: 1,415
On Deck:
On Wednesday at 6:00pm in Lake Elsinore, former Storm Jacob Nix will make a rehab start opposed by San Jose RHP Matt Frisbee. The Storm have only 11 home games remaining and will return to The Diamond August 16^th for six games in seven days.  For the best available seats buy online at stormbaseball.com or call 951-245-44