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Storm Welcome Ports to the Diamond

Lake Elsinore will take on Stockton in three-game series
July 27, 2018

SERIES VS. STOCKTONAfter a quick road trip to Lancaster desert, the Storm will welcome the Stockton Ports back to the Diamond for the second and final time this season. The Ports, Class-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, have dominated the California League this season as they have maintained a First-Place

SERIES VS. STOCKTON
After a quick road trip to Lancaster desert, the Storm will welcome the Stockton Ports back to the Diamond for the second and final time this season. The Ports, Class-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, have dominated the California League this season as they have maintained a First-Place standing all season long towards their First-Half Championship crown. Through the first seven head-to-head matchups, the Ports lead the season series 6-1. Back at the end of April when Stockton visited southern California, the stadium near the Sedco Hills was not a friendly place for the home town team. The Ports took advantage by scoring 19 runs, while yielding only five, on their way to a three-game sweep. In just this small sample size of seven games, each offense has done a terrific job of hitting doubles. The Storm have the lead in this category 12 to 8, however, with pitching in mind, the Ports arms have a huge advantage with a low 1.98 ERA. 
KEEP AN EYE OUT
Ruddy Giron has finally found his stroke at the plate during the month of July since coming off the disabled list. In 14 games, the Dominican utility infielder is batting .358 (19-for-53) with 1 HR, 5 RBI, 8 runs scored and 5 doubles. Ever since re-joining the Storm on July 8th, he has worked his way towards a .270 average which includes hits in seven of his last 10 games. During this time, he has added an impressive .357 OBP and .509 SLG. Third baseman Hudson Potts has profoundly make a mark in the Storm lineup especially in the second-half. The Padres #16 Prospect (according to MLBPipeline.com) currently leads the way for the Eyes in Doubles (32), Home Runs (17) and RBI (55). With the month of July in full force, the Texan has heated up by batting .345 (30-for-87) with 4 HR and 16 RBI in 21 games. This performance has lifted his overall numbers this season to .281 Avg./.347 OBP/.515 SLG.
On the pitching side of things, right-handed Cuban Ronald Bolaños continues to find success since the midseason All-Star Break. In 6 starts, the 21-year-old is 2-2 with a 2.39 ERA which parallels his numbers so far in the month of July. In 4 starts, the right-hander is 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA with 24 strikeouts in just 23 innings pitched. Out of the bullpen, Colby Blueberg continues to show strides of making progress back to the higher levels of the Padres farm system. Since returning to Lake Elsinore, the Nevada native has provided stability within the bullpen with a low 1.57 ERA in 16 appearances and 25 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.
EYES ON THE OPPONENT
Stockton (courtesy of stocktonports.com): As the Ports are primed and ready for a deep playoff run, they have talented players that proven their worth this season. First baseman Luke Persico has put together a great 2018 campaign through 77 games. During this time, the former UCLA Bruin is batting .296 with 4 HR, 40 RBI, 41 runs scored and a team-high 24 doubles. Batting in the seven-hole has worked wonders for the California native as he bats .309 (21-for-68) with a .367 OBP and .456 SLG. Another promising young talent is reliever Angel Duno. The Venezuelan righty has gone 3-2 with a 2.01 ERA and 11 Saves in 37 appearances. Since this is the first season that Duno has been strictly focused on coming out of the bullpen, having an Opp. Avg. of .239 with 53 strikeouts looks to be a success for the Ports coaching staff. Within the starting rotation, right-hander Matt Milburn has found the right mix of pitches to become successful at the California League level. In 17 starts, the Wofford College Alum has tossed a 3.75 ERA with a team-leading 89 strikeouts while opponents bat .291 in 100.2 innings. Milburn was named California League Pitcher of the Week on July 1st following a complete-game shutout against the San Jose Giants on June 26th.