CalL1 Inland Empire 66ers

Williams Jr. Homers But 66ers Fall in Season Opener

April 5, 2019 - California League (CalL1)
Inland Empire 66ers News Release


San Bernardino, CA - The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino fell on Thursday's Opening Night at San Manuel Stadium 3-2 to the visiting Lake Elsinore Storm. Kevin Williams Jr. provided the lone spark for the 66ers' offense with a mammoth two-run homer in the second but Inland Empire (0-1) was stymied the rest of the way as Lake Elsinore's (1-0) pitching staff smothered Sixers.

Inland Empire starter Luis Madero was strong as the righty tossed four scoreless frames allowing two hits, two walks and fanning four. Madero has now faced the Storm five times in his career and has allowed three earned runs in 24 IP. The 66ers took a lead in the second when Torii Hunter Jr. walked to open the frame versus Storm starter Tom Cosgrove. Two batters later, Williams slammed a deep drive out to left for a 2-0 lead. Cosgrove (1-0) settled down and finished the game with five Ks in five frames. The Storm scored all three of its runs in the fifth frame against RHP Taylor Cole (0-1) who was appearing on an MLB injury rehab assignment (shoulder) for the Angels. He was touched for three runs on four hits and a walk with a wild pitch in 0.2 IP. Aaron Hernandez, the Angels' 2018 3rd round pick out of Texas A&M Corpus Christi tossed 3.1 scoreless innings in his official professional debut for the Sixers. Evan Miller (SV,1) was tossed perfect ninth for the Storm to give first-year Manager Tony Tarasco his first Cal League win.

The series continues Friday at 7:05 pm. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com.

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California League Stories from April 5, 2019


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