CalL1 Lake Elsinore Storm

Storm Take First-Half Title, Edge Quakes 5-4

Published on June 15, 2010 under California League (CalL1)
Lake Elsinore Storm News Release


The Lake Elsinore Storm punched their ticket to the 2010 California League Playoffs, clinching the first-half South Division title, with a 5-4 win over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at The Epicenter on Monday night.

Storm closer and Cal League saves-leader Brad Brach got out of an eighth-inning jam and then retired the Quakes in order in the ninth inning, earning his league-high 24th save of the year and putting the Storm into the playoffs.

The Quakes rallied from an early 5-1 deficit, scoring the game's final three runs, but could never get even.

With two outs in the eighth inning and the Quakes down 5-3, Brach replaced Aaron Breit, who allowed singles to Gabe Jacobo and Jon Townsend. With two on and two away, Angel Castillo delivered an RBI single to center, plating Jacobo to make it a one-run game at 5-4. But with the tying run at second and the go-ahead run at first, Ikko Sumi popped up to first baseman Cody Decker to end the threat.

In the top of the ninth inning, the Storm tried to pad their advantage but got denied on an incredible play by Castillo and Sumi. With two outs and Vince Belnome at second base, Quakes' reliever Christian Scholl gave up a base hit to Daniel Robertson. Right fielder Angel Castillo fired a one-hop strike to the plate though, as Sumi made the catch and then withstood a punishing hit from Belnome, keeping the game at a one-run deficit.

Brach retired all three men he faced in the ninth, as pinch-hitter Eric Oliver popped up, before Rian Kiniry and Tyson Auer both grounded out to end it.

The Storm got to Quakes' starter Matt Shoemaker (5-4) early, as Belnome knocked in a run in the first with an RBI double and Blake Tekotte launched a three-run homer in the second, putting Lake Elsinore up 4-0.

Castillo lined his fifth homer of the year over the left-field fence in the bottom of the second, a solo shot to make it 4-1 against Storm starter Juan Oramas (5-0).

After the Storm got a run back in the top of the third to take a 5-1 lead, Luis Jimenez homered to open the fourth, bringing the Quakes to within three, at 5-2.

Dwayne Bailey, making his Cal League debut for the Quakes on Monday night, singled home a run in the seventh, making it a 5-3 game.

Also making his debut for the Quakes on Monday night was reliever Jeremy Berg, who fired two innings of scoreless relief.

The Quakes (37-28) host Lake Elsinore (44-21) again on Tuesday night, as Quakes' right-hander Orangel Arenas (1-0) takes on Steve Garrison (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm.

Tuesday night is Terra Vista Animal Hospital Bark in the Ballpark Night at The Epicenter. Dogs are welcome at the ballpark with a $3 donation to the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Care and Adoption Center. Tuesday is also a GIVE Recycle Tuesday, as fans are encouraged to bring ten recyclable cans or bottles with a valid CRV and receive a free Club Seat. Fans can also enjoy the KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets promotion, where fans are invited to bring a KRAFT Singles package wrapper to the game on Tuesday, for a buy-one-get-one ticket offer. Gates open at 6:05pm and game time is 7:05pm.

Tickets are available by calling (909) 481-5000 or online at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you at The Epicenter very soon. Go Quakes!

Check out the Lake Elsinore Storm Statistics

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California League Stories from June 15, 2010


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