Storm Begin August in Exciting Fashion

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. - The Storm rolled into Lake Elsinore on a two-game winning streak July 31 to begin a seven-game home stand which started with a three-game series against the South Division rival Lancaster JetHawks.
The first game featured a pitcher's duel that sent the game into a scoreless tie in the tenth inning. On a Major League Rehab Assignment for the San Diego Padres, Christian Friedrich got the start for the Storm and tossed three shutout innings before handing the ball over to lefty Jerry Keel, who tossed four innings of shutout baseball.
The Storm couldn't push a run across the board and lost the opening game of the home stand, 2-0 in 10 innings. Shortstop Ruddy Giron recorded the lone multi-hit game for Lake Elsinore.
An extreme rarity in Southern California, Tuesday's game was called due to inclement weather, setting up a pair of seven-inning games for Wednesday.
The Storm got on the board early, scoring a run in the first, but the best offense in the California League came to life, scoring five runs on 12 hits in the first 4.2 innings. The home team put together a late rally but fell short, losing 5-4. Austin Allen and Rod Boykin each got a pair of hits for Lake Elsinore.
Game two of the doubleheader would go in favor of the home team. Again, the offense struck early, throwing four runs in the first frame while holding the JetHawks to just two runs.
Southpaw Logan Allen picked up the win for the Storm, going five innings and allowing just a run on two hits and a walk while picking up four strikeouts. David Bednar picked up his second save for Lake Elsinore after throwing a perfect frame and collecting two strikeouts.
Lake Elsinore welcomed the Modesto Nuts to The Diamond on National grab Some Nuts Day, August 3^rd. The bats came to life for the home team, which put together five runs on 13 hits to win, 5-3. Edwin Moreno, Ruddy Giron, Austin Allen and Fernando Perez each collected a pair of base hits, while left fielder Rod Boykin hit his fifth double and fifth home run for Lake Elsinore. The dynamic outfielder also added a stolen base to his big night.
The wins kept coming for the Storm as they won their third straight on Friday night, 4-1. A big three-run third inning was plenty for Emmanuel Ramirez to pick up the win in his Storm debut. Ramirez gave up a lone run in five innings while tallying five strikeouts. José Ruiz, Colby Blueberg and Gerardo Reyes combined for four shutout innings in relief.
Kyle Overstreet collected a pair of knocks, while it was Rod Boykin again who paced the offense with a big night, hitting another double and home run to highlight his three-hit performance.
Saturday night's game had just about everything: comebacks, late-inning rallies, an inside-the-park home run, extra innings and 34 base hits.
Modesto struck first, scoring five before the Storm could plate their first run, but Lake Elsinore put an exciting comeback together to score nine runs between the fifth and eighth innings.
The Storm bullpen struggled late, however, giving up three runs in the ninth inning to send the game into extras. Fortune was in favor of the Nuts, who scored two more runs in the tenth inning to win, 11-10 in front of a sellout Storm crowd.
The home stand finale on Sunday was filled with offense. The Storm held on for a close 8-7 win to finish the home stand 4-3. Fernando Perez and Chris Baker turned in multi-hit performances, while Edwin Moreno finished a triple shy of the cycle and tallied five RBIs. 
The Storm return to The Diamond Monday, August 14 for a seven-game home stand against the Inland Empire 66ers and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The home stand includes Elvis Night on August 16, a "Streaking Will Ferrell" bobblehead giveaway, and a bobbletail giveaway on August 19 in honor of Ace, The fastest Squirrel in the World.
Get your tickets at stormbaseball.com or call the box office at 951-245-HITS.