Haren Finishes Five, 66ers Win 5-4

San Bernardino, CA- Inland Empire got the series win over the Lake Elsinore Storm 5-4 on 66ers shortstop Rolando Gomez's two run home run in the 8th inning in big leaguer Dan Haren's rehab start. Gomez went 2-for-4 on the night and now has three home runs on the year. The 66ers have now won five of their last six.
Inland Empire got on the board as 66ers right fielder Drew Heid took advantage of a throwing error to score from first in 3rd inning to knot the score at one apiece. 66ers first baseman C.J. Cron and center fielder Randal Grichuk contributed RBIs of their own to give the 66ers a 3-1 lead. Cron now has a California League leading 76 RBIs on the season.
Angels starter Dan Haren went five innings, giving up two earned runs, striking out two and walking none for the no-decision. Haren felt a bit off at first in his rehab start but recovered in as the game progressed.
"At first my pitches were going all over the place and wasn't locating them right," said Haren. "After the 4th and 5th innings, I felt comfortable and in rhythm and I had enough to continue on if they had let me."
Storm starter Matt Lollis kept the 66ers off balance for six innings giving up no earned runs. 66ers reliever Manuel Flores pitched two scoreless innings with five strikeouts to get the win to improve to 1-1 on the year. 66ers reliever Daniel Tillman pitched a perfect ninth to get his third save of the year. Storm reliever Ryan Quigley was charged with the loss to fall to 3-4.
The 66ers will go on the road to face the Stockton Ports for a 3 game series tomorrow at 7:05 pm. The game can be heard on the home of 66ers baseball KCAA 1050 AM beginning with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Pre-Game show at 6:55. For information on 66ers tickets or to schedule your next fun filled group outing, contact the 66ers front office at (909)888-9922, or check out the website 66ers.com.