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Inland Empire 66ers

66ers Get Wild in Fifth, Lose Second Half Opener 5-3

June 26, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
Inland Empire 66ers News Release


LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. -Preston Mattingly hit a two-run home run but the 66ers were held hitless after the fifth inning as the Lake Elsinore Storm opened up the second half with a 5-3 win Thursday night at The Diamond.

Leading 3-1 in the fifth inning, 66ers reliever Mario Alvarez lost control of the strike zone and walked three Storm hitters after not walking a hitter this season. The Storm also used a pair of wild pitches, along with an RBI single from Ali Solis and sacrifice fly to tie the ballgame.

In the sixth, Danny Payne ripped an RBI triple to the gap in left-center before scoring when Solis laid down a suicide squeeze sacrifice bunt to extend Lake Elsinore's lead to 5-3.

Dodgers lefthander Eric Stults made a rehab start and allowed 1 run on 3 hits with no walks and 2 strikeouts in 3 innings. The lone run scored on a double-steal in the second.

Mattingly ripped a long two-run homer off Corey Kluber- his seventh long ball of the season- to give Inland Empire a 2-1 lead in the second.

The 66ers loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, but Kluber coaxed a first-pitch groundout to third from Scott Van Slyke to end the threat with the 66ers unable to extend the 3-1 lead.

The Sixers went hitless over the final four innings and 0-for-their-last-15 after Elian Herrera's single in the fifth. Inland Empire was held to just six hits on the night.

Kluber (6-6) beat the 66ers for the first time in five starts, limiting Inland Empire to 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks with 6 strikeouts in 6 innings.

After Aaron Breit and Nick Vincent pitched scoreless innings, Bryan Oland worked a perfect ninth for his 18th save.

Alvarez (1-1) allowed 4 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks with 1 strikeout in 3 innings of relief.

The series continues Friday at 7:05 p.m. with Inland Empire (32-39, 0-1) trotting RHP Josh Wall (0-3, 6.16) to the mound while the Storm (40-31, 1-0) counters with RHP Jeremy Hefner (6-6, 4.16). The 66ers return home for a three-game series with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. For tickets or more information visit www.66ers.com, the 66ers box office at 280 South E Street in San Bernardino or call (909) 888-9922.

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