Aug 16-18, 2019
STORM vs. PORTS
Following a six-game road trip, the Storm return home for the final extended homestand of the season spanning six games over seven days. The home stretch will kick off with a three-game series against the Stockton Ports, who will be visiting The Diamond for the final time this season. The Ports, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Oakland Athletics will be making their second appearance in Lake Elsinore after the Storm took two of two back at the end of May, as a rain out on May 22 was decided not to be made up by league officials. With nine head-to-head games played, the Storm have the series advantage 6-3, following the Ports taking two of three at Banner Island Ballpark during the first weekend of August. Even after a tough series loss, the Padres’ affiliate still holds the lead in offensive categories such as batting average (.242 to .206), runs scored (41 to 25) and OPS (.713 to .579). On the pitching front, the Storm staff is just under two runs lower in ERA (2.84 to 4.32), while strikeouts rank supreme with 86 in 76 innings pitched.
MORE ABOUT THE PORTS: After finishing in second place, 12 games back of the Visalia Rawhide in the first half, the Ports have a chance a snatching the final wild card position as they are currently one game ahead of Modesto and one-in-a-half ahead of San Jose. For an organization that has bread talent towards the Oakland A’s with players such as right-hander Sonny Gray, infielder Josh Donaldson and outfielder Coco Crisp, they are building towards the future with the talent on display. During the California League All-Star Game back in mid-June, the Ports were represented with six players: RHP Brady Feigl, RHP Mitchell Jordan, INF Nick Allen, INF Alfonso Rivas, OF Lazaro Armenteros and OF Jameson Hannah, who is now with the Cincinnati Reds organization after being dealt at the recent Trade Deadline.
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
LAKE ELSINORE STORM
8/16 – Aaron Leasher - RHP
8/17 – Joey Cantillo - LHP
8/18 – Osvaldo Hernandez - LHP
STOCKTON PORTS
8/16 – Bryce Conley - RHP
8/17 – Xavier Altamirano - RHP
8/18 – Hogan Harris - LHP
Aug 20-22, 2019
STORM vs. QUAKES
As the six-game homestand continues following a day off on Monday, the Storm will host the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes for the final time during the regular season. The Quakes, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers will be making their fifth stop to Pete Lehr Field this season after sweeping the Storm back on July 7-9. In 24 head-to-head games played, the Quakes have the clear advantage 17-7 which includes a 9-3 record in Lake Elsinore. The Storm have struggled against the Dodgers’ affiliate over the past two years, as they have lost 38 of 55, but with six total games remaining, the opportunity is still present to pick up extra wins as the playoff push is in full effect.
MORE ABOUT THE QUAKES: As the South division first half champions for the second consecutive season, the Quakes decided to host the back end of the opening playoff series with games three through five at LoanMart Field where they have won 29 games this season. As part of the great affiliate relationship between the Quakes and the Dodgers, the Dodgers have sent many well-known players on rehab assignments such as infielder Corey Seager, outfielder AJ Pollock, catcher Austin Barnes and pitchers Rich Hill, Tony Cingrani and Dylan Floro.
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
LAKE ELSINORE STORM
8/20 – Elliot Ashbeck - RHP
8/21 – Reiss Knehr - RHP
8/22 – Gabe Mosser - RHP
RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES
8/20 – John Rooney - RHP
8/21 – Austin Hamilton - RHP
8/22 – Willis Montgomerie - RHP
KEEP AN EYE OUT
As the playoff race is in full swing, the entire Storm roster continues to battle the Lancaster JetHawks for the final playoff spot in the South division, which is bringing out great performances out of the San Diego Padres’ prospects. The second half has been a huge breakout for shortstop Gabriel Arias (No. 16 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com), who continues to find ways to make spectacular plays defensively, while swinging a hot bat at the plate. In 48 games, the 19-year-old Venezuelan is batting .359 with six home runs and 35 runs batted in, while adding nine doubles and two triples. He currently leads the team in hits (125), multi-hit games (38) as well as being tied in home runs with Luis Campusano at 13. On the pitching staff, southpaw Aaron Leasher has also elevated his game due to great success in the second half. The Mount Pleasant, Michigan native is 7-1 in eight appearances (seven starts) with a 1.44 ERA and the league batting just .203. Leasher has matched his career-high in strikeouts twice (9 - on June 23 and June 29) as well as innings pitched (7 – July 5, July 18 and August 2). He leads the active pitching staff in wins (10), ERA (3.14), strikeouts (106) and WHIP (1.17). At the back end of the bullpen, right-hander Hansel Rodriguez has proven to be a lockdown asset in crunch time. In 16 relief appearances, Rodriguez is 1-1 with a 1.77 ERA, yielding just four earned runs in 20.1 innings and opposing batters hitting just .178. He has battled some minor injuries, but currently has five consecutive shutout performances in the month of August.
NIGHTS TO WATCH
The six-game homestand features some of our best giveaway items of the season, while highlighting our daily promotions for all fans to enjoy. On Friday, August 16, it is time to party Hawaiian style as we celebrate Hawaiian Night with a Thunder and Mini-Thunder Bobble Belly Giveaway presented by HP Communications, INC. with a spectacular firework show postgame. The very next night on Saturday, August 17, the first 1,000 fans will receive a Storm Hat presented by Sharp Business Systems. For the final time in the regular season, we enter a middle of the week series, as fans can party at The Diamond with the best deals in town! Fiesta Tuesday features $3 Tacos, $3 Tall Can Beers and 2-for-1 Tickets, while $5 Wednesday’s includes $5 Tickets (Thunder Section 116), $5 Parking as well as $5 selected concession food and drink items. For the final time in 2019 the Cadejos De Lake Elsinore will be on display for Thirsty Thursday with $2 Domestic Beers and Sodas.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: CATCH OUR LAST FIREWORKS SHOW OF THE SEASON AND BE THE FIRST TO GET AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT THE 2020 STORM SCHEDULE ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 AS FANS WILL RECEIVE A STORM STADIUM CUP GIVEAWAY PRESENTED BY 7UP. SATURDAY, AUGUST 31 IS THE GRAND PRIX TAKEOVER AND LAKE ELSINORE COMMUNITY NIGHT FEATURING SOME OF THE BEST MOTOCROSS VENDORS AND SWAG AROUND. IT'S ALSO MAKE-A-WISH NIGHT WHERE WE GRANT A SPECIAL WISH FOR A SPECIAL FAN COMPLETE WITH T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY AT THE GATE PRESENTED BY MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION, CRUNCH FITNESS AND STORM BASEBALL. AS THE FINAL HOMESTAND OF THE YEAR WRAPS UP, FANS HAVE THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE ALL THE FUN THAT TOOK PLACE AT THE DIAMOND IN 2019 DURING OUR ANNUAL “EVERTHING NIGHT”. ALMOST ALL OF OUR TOP PROMOS WILL RUN THROUGHOUT THE GAME AS WELL AS GIVEAWAYS GALORE AT THE FRONT GATES! DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO PLAY CATCH UP ON ALL THAT YOU MISSED IN 2019. YOU CAN PURCHASE TICKETS AT STORMBASEBALL.COM OR CALL US AT 951-245-HITS (4487).
EYES ON THE OPPONENT
STOCKTON PORTS: First baseman Alfonso Rivas (Athletics No. 25 Prospect) continues to shine in the middle of the Ports batting order. Through 49 games batting third, the Chula Vista, CA native is batting .308 with three home runs, 18 runs batted in, 27 runs scored and nine doubles. In just his second professional season, Rivas ranks fourth on the team in batting average at .285, while top-five in games played (104), home runs (7), runs batted in (51) and walks (63). Fellow infielder Jonah Bride has produced a dynamic offensive season since being drafted one year ago. The former South Carolina Gamecock in his first 99 games has a .274 batting average with 10 home runs and 53 runs batted in. In a limited number of games, Bride has slashed Storm pitching with eight hits in 25 at-bats, while recording one home run and three runs batted in. On the mound, starting pitcher Bryce Conley has entered the Ports starting rotation with dominance. In his first five games (three starts), the 24-year-old is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 20 innings. The right-hander tossed six no-hit innings in a start on July 22nd versus the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, which he ended up being a part of the combined no-hitter for the Ports.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES: Shortstop Jeter Downs (Los Angeles Dodgers No. 7 Prospect) continues to be a table setter at the top of the Quakes batting order in the second half. The 21-year-old is batting .284 (44-for-155) with seven home runs, 26 runs batted in and 31 runs scored. Downs, who is in his first season in the Dodgers organization, was named a mid-season All-Star in the California League after a first half that saw him hit 12 home runs and drive in 46 runs. Fellow infielder Brandon Montgomery has battled back through a couple of stints on the injured-list this season and has found a way to make contributions in the Quakes lineup versus the Storm. In seven games, the Houston, Texas native has hit .333 (7-for-21) with one home run, five runs batted in and two runs scored. Montgomery has been no stranger to the Storm in the past as he hit for a .282 batting average in 2017 in 71 at-bats with 10 runs batted in and four extra-base hits. On the mound, right-handed starter Austin Jackson has made the most of his time with the Quakes since his promotion from Great Lakes (A) on June 4. The former Utah Ute, has gone 3-1 with a 3.69 ERA in 14 starts, while recording 86 strikeouts in 63.1 innings. Three of his starts have occurred against the Storm and Jackson has met the challenge as he is 1-0 with a sub-two ERA (1.76), allowing only three earned-runs in 15.1 innings and a .180 opponent batting average.