Storm force extra innings, lose in 10
Rancho Cucamonga, CA-Rancho Cucamonga's late-inning heroics continued Sunday afternoon, overcoming deficits in game one, three and ending in walk-off fashion in the final game of the series and beating the Lake Elsinore Storm by a score of 2-1 in 10 innings.
It was a pitcher dual that featured outstanding performances by Storm RHP Matt Jackson and Quakes RHP Ross Stripling.
Making his first start of the season, Jackson pitched 5 solid innings giving up only one run on four hits. Stripling was the star of the day for the Quakes, giving up one loan hit in five innings of work.
The Storm were unable to overcome 1-for-9 hitting with runners in scoring position, including 1-for-7 in the last four innings of the game.
Quakes shortstop Darnell led off the bottom of the first inning with a triple to center field. This set up Rancho's first run as Noel Cuevas hit an RBI ground out to first base.
Ross Stripling and the Quakes bullpen would keep the Storm hitters silent until the top of the eighth inning. First baseman Lee Orr led off the inning with a solo homerun to right field off of Quakes reliever RHP Raydel Sanchez.
The score would remain tied sending the game to extra innings. After the Storm stranded two base runners in the top of the 10th inning, the Quakes would have their chance to win the game.
With a fly out by right fielder Scott Schebler, center fielder Robbie Garvey doubled on a fly ball to left field putting the quakes in postion for the winning run. Scott Wingo then grounded out moving over the runner Schebler, setting up the game winning RBI single by Darnell Sweeney.
The Storm have now lost their last 14 of 18 games at Loan Mart Field including three of four to open the season.
Lake Elsinore continued their error-free start to the season, now four consecutive games in a row. They also stole another two bases today, putting their California League leading total to 17 in four games. Second baseman Cory Spangenberg and left fielder Geadele's 3 game hit streaks came to an end Sunday afternoon. Only right fielder Yeison Asencio has hit safely in all-four Storm games this season.
These two teams will play each other six more times this month and 10 of 26 games are in April.
Tomorrow the Storm continue their opening road trip as they travel to Lancaster and face off against the defending California League Champions and Astros Affiliate for a three game set.
Storm LHP Brandon Alger will face against Lancaster Jethawk RHP Alex Gillingham. All three games are at 7 p.m. and don't miss the Storm's home opener on Thursday, April 11. For more info visit stormbaseball.com or call 951.245.4487.