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Storm Erupt Early in Blowout Win over Giants

June 30, 2012 - California League (CalL) San Jose Giants

SAN JOSE - The Lake Elsinore Storm scored 10 runs over the first three innings en route to a 12-3 victory over the San Jose Giants on Friday evening at Municipal Stadium. The Storm plated three runs in each of the first two frames before Justin Miller connected for a grand slam in the top of the third as Lake Elsinore cruised to the win.

Alex Burg (3-for-4, 2 2B) had three hits, including a pair of doubles to lead the Giants offensively. Adam Duvall (2-for-3, 2B, RBI) and Ricky Oropesa (2-for-4, 2B) also contributed two hits apiece.

The Storm wasted no time jumping on San Jose starter Ryan Bradley as four consecutive two-out hits in the top of the first inning produced three runs. After Bradley retired the first two batters of the game, Miller singled and then Tommy Medica belted an RBI double to deep right center field. Vince Belnome followed with an RBI double into the left field corner before Eddy Rodriguez's run-scoring single made it 3-0.

The Giants got one run back in the bottom of the first as Duvall doubled with two outs to start the rally. Oropesa was up next and he reached on an infield single up the middle. On the play, Storm second baseman Casey McElroy mishandled the ball for an error allowing Duvall to score the first San Jose run of the night.

Lake Elsinore though responded with three more runs in the top of the second against Bradley. Connor Powers led off with a single before he was forced out on Chris Bisson's fielder's choice grounder. After Rico Noel flied out, McElroy singled and then Miller walked to load the bases. Medica was up next and he hit a grounder to shortstop. On the play, Joe Panik fielded the ball and threw to second, but Miller was ruled safe as Bisson scored to make it 4-1. Medica was awarded an RBI on the fielder's choice. Belnome then doubled to left plating two more runs for a 6-1 advantage.

The Storm broke the game open in the top of the third as Bisson singled with two outs, stole second and then moved to third on a passed ball. Consecutive hit by pitches of Noel and McElroy then loaded the bases prompting a pitching change. Stephen Harrold was summoned from the bullpen, but Miller greeted the reliever by driving the first pitch of the at-bat over the fence in left for a grand slam and a 10-1 Lake Elsinore lead.

Bradley (3-4) suffered the loss for the Giants after surrendering a career-high nine runs (all earned) on eight hits over 2 2/3 innings. The left-hander walked one and struck out four.

San Jose plated single runs in the third and fifth innings to cut the deficit to 10-3. In the bottom of the third, Duvall singled with one out before Oropesa doubled off the fence. Duvall then scored when the next batter, Jarrett Parker, grounded out to second.

In the fifth, Chris Lofton led off with a double, advanced to third on Panik's groundout and scored when Duvall hit a sacrifice fly to left.

Harrold (3 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) held the Storm off the scoreboard in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. After allowing the grand slam, Harrold retired nine out of the next 11 batters that he faced.

Edward Concepcion (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) pitched a scoreless top of the seventh for the Giants before Drew Bowlin (1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) surrendered two runs in the eighth. Chris Wilson (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO) then pitched the top of the ninth.

Lake Elsinore starter Matt Jackson (5-4) earned the win after tossing five innings with three runs (two earned) and seven hits allowed. He struck out three and did not walk a batter. Three Storm relievers combined on four scoreless innings to finish the game.

Notes: The Giants are 2-3 on their current homestand ... Bradley is winless in his last 10 starts (0-2, 7.16 ERA) ... Lake Elsinore out-hit San Jose by a 15-10 margin ... Burg is 11-for-19 (.579) over his last five games ... Luke Anders (1-for-4) extended his hitting streak to seven games ... The Giants fell to 4-5 in the second half ... Earlier Friday, pitcher Hector Correa was placed on the Disabled List.

On Deck: The Giants and Storm will play the rubber game of their three- game series on Saturday evening with first pitch at Municipal Stadium scheduled for 5:00 PM. Josh Osich (0-0, 1.98 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Lake Elsinore is expected to counter with Matt Branham (2-0, 3.51 ERA). A spectacular fireworks show presented by IBEW 332 will follow the game and tickets can be purchased by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting sjgiants.com.

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California League Stories from June 30, 2012


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