Three Home Runs Power Storm To Victory

Adelanto, CA - The Lake Elsinore Storm completed their second consecutive series victory Monday night, defeating the High Desert Mavericks 9-3 in their final match-up in Adelanto this season.

After outscoring the Mavericks 21-5 in the previous 18 innings, the Storm were kept off the scoreboard by High Desert right-hander Lars Huijer (L, 0-1) through the first four frames. But Lake Elsinore starter Colin Rea (W, 7-5) was just as good, keeping the game scoreless in that span.

A five-run Storm fifth broke the game open. Benji Gonzalez led off with a bunt single, and Jeremy Baltz followed with a two-run blast that gave Lake Elsinore a 2-0 advantage. Gabriel Quintana struck his third home run in as many days two batters later to make it 3-0. Luis Domoromo continued the inning with a single, and Alberth Martinez joined the party with his ninth big fly of 2014.

Leading 5-0, the Storm added on in the sixth. Gonzalez worked a lead-off walk, and Dane Phillips made it 6-0 with an RBI double. Quintana singled to put two men on with one out, and Martinez plated his third RBI of the night with a two-bagger of his own. Corey Adamson laced a double down the left field line in the subsequent at-bat, scoring two and staking the Storm to a 9-0 lead.

High Desert would add runs in the seventh and ninth, but Lake Elsinore held on to win 9-3.

Phillips led the way with three hits to extend his hitting streak to nine games, and Martinez topped the RBI column with three runs batted in. Rea earned his second consecutive victory.

Lake Elsinore (52-36) have now won three straight and improved to 8-6 against High Desert (42-46) this season. The Eyes solidified their place as the team with the best record in the California League South.

The Storm will begin a three-game road series with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes tomorrow night. Coby Cowgill (2-1, 5.68 ERA) takes the hill for Lake Elsinore while Chris Anderson (6-5, 4.93 ERA) does so for Rancho Cucamonga. First pitch is set for 7:05pm.