Storm Host Quakes and 66ers

SERIES VS. RANCHO CUCAMONGA
Following six games in seven days on the road, the Storm will return home to The Diamond to continue their home and home series against the I-15 Rival Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The Quakes, Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, have dominated the California League this season, which has helped position themselves for a deep playoff run especially after a First-Half Division Championship. In the first 27 head-to-head games played between these two ball clubs, the Quakes have the distinct edge 18-9 and winners of the last seven of eight matchups. Based on the season stats, the Storm (4.10 ERA) and Quakes (3.72 ERA) have showcased the talented pitching prospects on their roster throughout the season. Even with terrific pitching on display, the offense has contributed to the mix as 234 combined runs have been scored with 160 going to the Quakes and 107 for the Storm.
SERIES VS. INLAND EMPIRE
Following a day off on August 20^th, the Storm will continue their six-game homestand with a three-game series versus the Inland Empire 66ers. For the 66ers, Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, this will be their final appearance in Lake Elsinore of the 2018 season. In 13 head-to-head matchups between these two teams at Pete Lehr Field, the Eyes own the slight advantage 7-6 which comes after the Sixers took three of four back on July 9^th - July 12^th. As you look at the overall numbers for each team, the Storm and 66ers pitching staffs have recorded similar numbers with the Padres affiliate ranking 4^th with a 4.10 ERA and the Angels affiliate just behind in 5^th with a 4.32 ERA. The odd thing about this season matchup is that having the better batting average does not guarantee more runs. Lake Elsinore leads in the runs scored category 110-96, but Inland Empire's average is three points higher .248 to .245. 
KEEP AN EYE OUT
As the month of August is in full force, Padres #28 Prospect (according to MLBPipeline.com) Edward Olivares continues to put together a fantastic 2018 campaign. During his first 11 games, the Caracas, Venezuela native is batting .317 (13-for-41) with 2 HR, 9 RBI and 7 runs scored. With these numbers the outfielder has improved his slash line to .272 Avg./.316 OBP/.415 SLG while adding to his overall hit total of 127 which ranks T-2^nd in the California League. One of the newest members of the Storm, starting pitcher Aaron Leasher had quite a debut on Saturday, August 11^th. The 6^th Round selection by the Padres in 2017 from Morehead State struck out 4 batters over 6 innings while yielding just one unearned run. Before joining the Storm, the Mount Pleasant, Michigan native was 5-5 with a 3.32 ERA with Fort Wayne (A) while striking out 96 batters in 97.2 innings. Out of the bullpen, David Bednar continues to assert his dominance against California League batters. Since the beginning of the second-half, the Valencia, Pennsylvania native has provided stability within the bullpen with a low 0.30 ERA in 16 appearances and 44 strikeouts. The Eyes continue their quest as they battle up the California League South division standings in search of the coveted Second-Half championship crown.