Storm Dethrone Quakes, Begin Championship Series September 10 & 11 at The Diamond
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - The Storm entered the postseason having won six of their previous seven series, losing only to Rancho Cucamonga in that stretch. The Quakes, Lake Elsinore's opening round playoff opponent, dominated the season series against the San Diego Padres' affiliate, who lost 21 of 30 meetings, and
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - The Storm entered the postseason having won six of their previous seven series, losing only to Rancho Cucamonga in that stretch. The Quakes, Lake Elsinore's opening round playoff opponent, dominated the season series against the San Diego Padres' affiliate, who lost 21 of 30 meetings, and 10 of 15 at home, against the defending league champions.
The Storm, however, bucked the trend and won the first two games of the best-of-five South Division Finals at The Diamond before a stinging 6-5 walk-off loss in Game Three in Rancho kept the Quakes playoff hopes alive.
On Saturday night at LoanMart Field, needing one win to advance to the California League Championship Series, the Storm relied on outstanding pitching and two five-run innings in a resounding 11-2 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers' affiliate, ending the season of the I-15 rival.
Manager Tony Tarasco handed the ball to RHP
In the third inning, the Storm struck first on a two-out RBI single to centerfield that plated DH
SS
Martinez finished his outing by retiring seven straight and 13 of 14 batters, and the bullpen took over from there. RHP
Storm pitchers combined on eight shutout innings, allowing five hits, walking one and striking out 16. Offensively, Lake Elsinore had 14 hits, as Marcano paved the way with three hits and three RBI while Basabe went 2-4 with four RBI.
The Storm, advancing to the championship series for the seventh time in 26 seasons and their sixth in 19 seasons with the Padres, will host the Visalia Rawhide, the Arizona Diamondbacks' affiliate, on Tuesday, September 10 and Wednesday, September 11 with both games starting at 6:00pm. The best-of-five finals matchup will then shift to Recreation Park in Visalia for Game Three on Friday, September 13. If necessary, Game Four and Five will be in Visalia on September 14-15.
The Storm are seeking their fourth California League title and first since 2011. The Rawhide are in pursuit of their third championship in franchise history and first since 1978.
Noteworthy:
RHP
RHP
RHP
3B
DH
1B
LF
SS
RF
WP: Adrian Martinez (1-0)
LP: Jose Martinez (0-1)
Save: None
HR: LE: None | RC: Kendall (2nd, two-run, B6)
Time: 3:28
Att: 1,339
On Deck:
On Tuesday, September 10 at 6:00pm in Lake Elsinore, the California League Championship Series begins at The Diamond. Storm playoff tickets can be purchased for $5 per ticket. For the best available seats buy online at stormbaseball.com or call 951-245-4487.