APRIL 11-14, 2019
STORM vs. 66ERS
Following a seven-game road trip that took the team to Inland Empire and Lancaster, the Storm return to The Diamond for the first time in 2019 as they will entertain the Inland Empire 66ers for a four-game weekend series. The 66ers, Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, finished the 2018 season with a record 67-73, which landed them in last place in the South division of the California League. This marked the fifth consecutive season that the 66ers missed the postseason. Despite missing a chance at a championship, the 66ers played toe-to-toe with the Storm all of 2018. In 29 head-to-head matchups, the Eyes led the season series at The Diamond 9-7, while falling below the .500 mark at San Manuel Stadium 6-7.
MORE ABOUT THE 66ERS: The 66ers franchise has been a staple in the city of San Bernardino since 1993 when they were originally named the San Bernardino Spirit. Since then, the organization has changed parent clubs, which includes the Los Angeles Dodgers (1995-2000 & 2007-2010), Seattle Mariners (2001-2006), and now currently the Los Angeles Angels (2011-Present). Notable alumni include, Kole Calhoun, David Fletcher, CJ Cron, Ken Griffey Jr., Paul Konerko, Kenley Jansen, Adrian Beltre and Felix Hernandez. As the Angels farm system has improved over the past few seasons, many prospects are currently on the Halo’s roster as the 2019 kicks off. Those include Chris Rodriguez (#11), Luis Madero (#22) and Leonardo Rivas (#27).
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
LAKE ELSINORE STORM
4/11 - MacKenzie Gore - LHP
4/12 - Mason Thompson - RHP
4/13 - Luis Patino - RHP
4/14 - Ronald Bolanos - RHP
INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS
4/11 - Aaron Hernandez - RHP
4/12 - Chris Rodriguez - RHP
4/13 - Oliver Orgega - RHP
4/14 - Travis Herrin - RHP
STORM vs. QUAKES
APRIL 15-17, 2019
As the Storm continue their seven-game homestand, they welcome their I-15 rival Rancho Cucamonga Quakes for a three-game series at The Diamond. The Quakes, Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, are coming off a 2018 season in which they finished with a league best 87-53 record and eventually swept the Visalia Rawhide in the championship series to win their second title in the past four seasons. This year’s roster for Rancho Cucamonga features a bunch of Top-30 Prospects which includes Jeter Downs (#8), Connor Wong (#14), Michael Grove (#15), Jeren Kendall (#16), Gerardo Carrillo (#19) and Edwin Uceta (#21). Last year, these two teams played 31 head-to-head games with 21 (11 at LoanMart Field) going in favor of the Dodgers affiliate.
MORE ABOUT THE QUAKES: The franchise has been around since 1966, when the organization was based in Lodi, California. The team moved to Rancho Cucamonga in 1993 and has been known as the Quakes ever since. Since their move, the Quakes have been previously affiliated with the San Diego Padres (1993-2000) and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2001-2010) before becoming a part of the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system in 2011. Notable alumni include two-time AL MVP Mike Trout, 1981 Cy Young Award winner Fernando Venezuela, 2016 NL Rookie of the Year winner Corey Seager, three-time Gold glove Award winner Derek Lee, six-time MLB All-Star Francisco Rodriguez and 2016 Silver Slugger Award winner Mark Trumbo.
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
LAKE ELSINORE STORM
4/15 - Aaron Leasher - LHP
4/16 - Tom Cosgrover - LHP
4/17 - MacKenzie Gore - LHP
RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES
4/15 - Edwin Uceta - RHP
4/16 - Bryan Warzek - LHP
4/17 - Gerardo Carrillo - RHP
KEEP AN EYE OUT
The Opening Day roster for your Lake Elsinore Storm features some of the organization’s best future prospects all over the diamond. A high-profiled arm that is being showcased in the starting rotation is southpaw MacKenzie Gore (Padres #6 Prospect according to MLBPipeline), who was drafted in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft at the young age of 18. Pete Lehr Field will also be home to right-handed pitcher Luis Patiño (Padres #6 Prospect according to MLBPipeline) who became an ace of the staff with the Fort Wayne Tincaps (A) in 2018. Gore and Patiño will be joined by outfielder Tirso Ornelas (Padres #16 Prospect according to MLBPipeline), Catcher Luis Campusano (Padres #18 Prospect according to MLBPipeline), shortstop Gabriel Arias (Padres #25 Prospect according to MLBPipeline) and finally second baseman Esteury Ruiz (Padres #27 Prospect according to MLBPipeline). Chemistry is always key to success and the fact that all of these touted prospects played together in 2018 in Fort Wayne (A) will be an asset moving forward. The 2019 season looks to be very bright in Lake Elsinore as the club chases its fourth league title in what will be its 26th season and first season under manager Tony Tarasco. Joining the coaching staff for the second consecutive season will be Doug Banks (Hitting Coach), Pete Zamora (Pitching Coach) and Jay Young (Strength & Conditioning). New to the team will be Felipe Blanco who is taking over Fielding Coach duties at the age of 25.
NIGHTS TO WATCH
Be sure to pick up your 2019 Lake Elsinore Storm magnet schedule at any of our four games during the first series at home of the season, April 11-14. Bark ‘n Brew Mondays presented by John Hine Temecula Subaru will be introduced as fans can bring their pooch to the park for just $1. Enjoy Fiesta Tuesday during all Tuesday home games where we offer $3 tall boy beers, $3 margaritas, $3 tacos and 2-for-1 tickets. Wednesdays will be rebranded as “$5 Wednesday” where you can enjoy $5 tickets, $5 parking, $5 food specials, $5 beers and $5 on selected merchandise items! April 12 will mark the first Fireworks Friday of the 2019 season as the firework will be shot off from inside the ballpark in center field courtesy of Pyro Spectacular by Souza. Come on back for our Signature Saturdays in April and have an opportunity to get autographs from your favorite Storm players. Lastly, Salute to Soldiers Sunday Fundays as we honor all military (active, retired, reserved, dependent and more) with Four FREE tickets per valid I.D brought to you by Inland Wharf Brewing Co. who will also be offering discounted craft beers.
---MARK YOUR CALENDARS---
OUR 2019 LAKE ELSINORE STORM TEAM PHOTO GIVEAWAY WITH PRE-GAME TEAM AUTOGRAPH SESSION WILL BE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27 VERSUS THE INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS. ALSO, BE SURE TO CATCH COLLEGE BASEBALL ACTION HERE AT THE DIAMOND ON MAY 6 WHEN SDSU TAKES ON BYU.
EYES ON THE OPPONENT
INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS: As the Inland Empire 66ers finished last season at the bottom of the South division for the second time in the last three years, they hope the large turnover in their roster helps make the push towards a postseason run. Starting pitcher Chris Rodriguez is the featured prospect on the roster as he is currently ranked #9 in the Los Angeles Angels organization according to MLBPipeline. After missing the 2018 due to a stress reaction in his back, the Angels still praise the young 20-year old’s pitching arsenal as well as velocity. In the outfield, Torii Hunter Jr. (son of former Angel outfielder Torii Hunter), who returns to the 66ers after a brief stint in 2018, looks to build upon his recent success. The former Norte Dame Fighting Irish batted .327 with an RBI and five stolen bases in just 13 games in the California League last season.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES: With the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes entering the 2019 season with a target on their backs as the reigning California League champions, they will have a lot to live up to if they try replicating an 87-53 record. One player that all eyes will be watching is #8 Prospect Jeter Downs who they acquired from the Cincinnati Reds for Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Alex Wood. The 20-year-old shortstop is coming off a 2018 campaign where he recorded a .247 Average, 13 Hits, 47 RBI and 23 doubles with the Dayton Dragons. On the mound, #21 Prospect Edwin Uceta looks to continue being a pleasant surprise in the Dodgers organization. The Dominican strike thrower looks to add to a great 2018 season where he struck out 131 batters between Great Lakes (A) and Rancho Cucamonga (A+), along with tossing 5.2 shutout inning in the California League championship series. He is listed to have a three-pitch arsenal with his most deceptive pitch being his changeup.