CalL1 Inland Empire 66ers

Hefner Foils 66ers, Forsythe Homers Again as Storm Takes Series

Published on June 9, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Inland Empire 66ers News Release


LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. - Jeremy Hefner pitched six strong innings and Logan Forsythe hit another big home run as the Storm earned a 6-3 win Monday night to take the series from the 66ers.

Inland Empire struck in the first inning for the third straight game as Pedro Baez hit a two-out single up the middle to score Preston Mattingly and Trayvon Robinson.

Dodgers righthander Claudio Vargas, making his third rehab start with the 66ers, was fine until the third inning, when he walked Danny Payne and Everth Cabrera singled to start the frame.

Tim Sexton entered from the bullpen and retired Brad Chalk on a sacrifice bunt, bringing Forsythe to the plate. Forsythe ended Sunday's game with a walk-off homer, and he produced an encore with a three run shot to left, snatching a 3-2 lead for Lake Elsinore.

Scott Van Slyke hit his eighth homer of the year- a solo shot to left- to start the sixth inning, cutting the deficit to 4-3.

Lake Elsinore added two unearned runs in the eighth after Pedro Baez made an error at third. Keoni Ruth produced an RBI triple before scoring on Felix Carrasco's RBI double.

Preston Mattingly went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and Van Slyke added two hits.

Hefner (5-6) excelled with the lead, limiting the 66ers to 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk in 6 innings while nearing a season high with 8 strikeouts.

Sexton (1-7), probably the biggest tough-luck loser in the California League, lost his seventh decision in a row despite yielding just 2 earned runs (4 runs total) on 7 hits in 6 innings as he equaled a season-high with 6 strikeouts and didn't walk a batter.

The successive road defeats marks the first time since May 5 and 6 at High Desert that the 66ers have lost consecutive road games and the first road series setback since the same series at Maverick Stadium, ending a 3-0-1 road series stretch.

After playing 15 of 19 games on the road, Inland Empire (25-32) opens a six-game homestand Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. LHP Alberto Bastardo (5-2, 3.08) gets the nod for the 66ers while RHP Leandro Cespedes (1-4, 5.25) takes the hill for the Lancaster JetHawks. Come out for Two Dollar Tuesday, with all seats (except Executive Box) just $2 along with $2 beers and $2 parking. 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.

Check out the Inland Empire 66ers Statistics

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California League Stories from June 9, 2009


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