Smeltzer's Strong Start Not Enough in Loss

Lake Elsinore, CA- A pitchers' duel broke out in Lake Elsinore on Wednesday afternoon between the Storm's Jacob Nix and the Quakes' Devin Smeltzer, but Nix prevailed in a 2-0 Storm win.  
Nix (2-1) was perfect through five and two-thirds until Victor Roache singled in the sixth, but he was caught stealing to end the inning. Nix threw his first career complete-game shutout, only giving up two hits, but facing one over the minimum through nine innings thanks to a caught stealing and a double play. He collected a career-high 11 strikeouts and did not walk a batter.
Smeltzer (1-2) drew the short straw in the match-up and fell just one out shy of his first career complete-game in the loss. The left-hander allowed one run in the first and one run in the seventh, but was lifted after allowing a two-out triple in the eighth inning. He finished after throwing seven and two-thirds innings, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out eight and walking one.
In the first inning, the Storm connected on three straight singles, including an Edwin Moreno RBI base hit up the middle to put the Storm up 1-0.
That score remained until the seventh inning when Carlos Belen tacked on with a blooper that fell into the right field off of the glove of first baseman Ibandel Isabel for an RBI single.
The Quakes were shutout for the seventh time this season in the loss. Only Stockton (eight) has been shutout more this year.
In a pitcher-dominated game, the contest only lasted one hour and 56 minutes, which was the shortest game of the season for the Quakes.
Rancho Cucamonga (5-2, 41-36) and Lake Elsinore (3-4, 37-40) will match up for the final game of the four-game series on Thursday, June 29^th, at 7:00 PM. The Quakes are expected to turn to left-hander Caleb Ferguson (3-4) on the mound, while the Storm will counter with righty Jesse Scholtens (3-2).
The Quakes will return home June 30^th for a series with the JetHawks. It will be Clayton Kershaw Bobblehead Night presented by AllStar Kia. The first 1,500 fans will take home a Clayton Kershaw Bobblehead thanks to AllStar Kia. The MVP gates will open at 5:45 and the main gates will open at 6:05 for a 7:05 game. Tickets are available at 909-481-5000 or rcquakes.com. Go Quakes!