June 7-11, 2019
STORM vs. JETHAWKS
Following a mini three-game road trip to Inland Empire, the Storm return to Pete Lehr Field for the final homestand of the first-half with a five-game series against the Lancaster JetHawks. The JetHawks, Class-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, will make just their second appearance in Lake Elsinore since they took three out of four in a series back on April 22-25. In 10 head-to-head games, the JetHawks have the edge with a 6-4 record, which includes a series win back on May 3-5 at The Hangar in Lancaster. Overall in the 10 matchups, offense has been key as the Storm lead the run scoring category 52 to 41, while also leading the charge in batting average .288 to .257. During the 2019 season thus far, pitching has been the biggest separator between these two squads. Lake Elsinore has dominated on the mound with a league leading 2.86 ERA, a low 1.16 WHIP and 531 strikeouts. Lancaster, who does in fact play in a hitter-friendly park, holds the league-worst ERA at 4.92, while being the only team in the league without a shutout performance.
MORE ABOUT THE JETHAWKS: After starting the year on a six-game losing streak, Lancaster picked up the pace and won 27 of their next 49 games, including two different winning streaks of five and six games apiece. Leading the charge for the JetHawks this season has been three different Top-30 prospects (according to MLBPipeline.com) of the Colorado Rockies organization. Featured on the roster are No. 3 prospect Ryan Rolison, No. 8 prospect Ryan Vilade as well as No. 30 prospect Casey Golden.
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
LAKE ELSINORE STORM
6/7 – Caleb Boushley - RHP
6/8 – Reiss Knehr - RHP
6/9 – Elliot Ashbeck - RHP
6/10 – Dinelson Lamet - RHP
6/11 – Luis Patino - RHP
LANCASTER JETHAWKS
6/7 – Lucas Gilbreath - LHP
6/8 – Will Gaddis - RHP
6/9 – Ryan Rolison - LHP
6/10 – Garrett Schilling - RHP
6/11 – Antonio Santos - RHP
KEEP AN EYE OUT
With the first half of the 2019 season shortly coming to a close, the battle continues for a spot in the California League playoffs in the South division. In his return to the Storm from a year ago, infielder Allen Cordoba has found his swing during the month of May. In 26 games, the 23-year-old is batting .276 with a home run, nine runs batted in and 12 runs scored. Cordoba has put together two separate hitting streaks of five-plus games. In a starter’s role, San Diego Padres No. 4 prospect (according to MLBPipeline.com) Luis Patiño has found his groove and is becoming a fantastic one-two punch alongside No. 2 prospect MacKenzie Gore. In his last five appearances, Patiño has gone 3-0 with a 1.78 ERA, while adding 31 strikeouts to the mix. Between May 7 and 21, the 19-year-old tossed three consecutive quality starts, lowering his season earned-run average by more than a run. In the bullpen, southpaw Fred Schlichtholz has been a dependable arm since his callup April 24. The former Fresno State Bulldog has recorded a 2.12 ERA in 11 appearances, while striking out 20 batters in 17.1 innings. During the month of May, Schlichtholz allowed just two earned runs in eight appearances with a streak of three consecutive appearances without allowing a run.
NIGHTS TO WATCH
This five-game homestand features fantastic promotions for all fans to enjoy. On Friday, Used Oil Night by Western Riverside Council of Governments will feature our famous postgame fireworks display right from centerfield. On Saturday, June 8, the Storm will host their second annual Pride Night, where we celebrate acceptance for all! The weekend will finish with our Salute to Soldiers Sunday Funday presented by Inland Wharf Brewing Co., including Thunder’s very own birthday extravaganza and four free tickets per military ID & discounted craft beer. Bark ‘N Brew Monday on June 10 is presented by John Hine Temecula Subaru featuring $1 tickets for dogs and discounted craft beer. Wrapping up the homestand on June 11 is Fiesta Tuesday with 2 for 1 tickets, $3 tacos and $3 tall can beers!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: KICKING OFF THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON, IS GEEKEND6 ON JUNE 20-23. JUNE 20, THIRSTY THURSDAY, FEATURES CADEJOS BASEBALL & $2 DRAFTS ON NERD OUT NIGHT. POST-GAME FIREWORKS, SUPERHEROES AND COMIC BOOK GIVEAWAY BY ROGUE KNIGHT GAMES IS ON FRIDAY, JUNE 21. SATURDAY IS THE FAN FAVORITE STAR WARS NIGHT WITH SPACE HUNTER HAT GIVEAWAY PRESENTED BY THE SAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK TO THE FIRST 1,000 FANS. SKIP THE LINE AND GUARANTEE YOURSELF A HAT BY DONATING BLOOD THAT DAY AT THE ANNUAL STORM BLOOD DRIVE DURING THE DAY. THE WEEKEND CONCLUDES WITH GAMER NIGHT ON SUNDAY, JUNE 23. COME OUT AND PLAY SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR VIDEO GAMES IN OUR FIRST BASE PICNIC AREA PRESENTED BY LANDIEGO. SEE YOU THERE!
EYES ON THE OPPONENT
LANCASTER JETHAWKS: Outfielder Matt Hearn has torn up California League pitching all season long from the leadoff spot in the JetHawks lineup. In 52 games, the San Jose, California native leads the team in batting average (.330), hits (72) and stolen bases (18), while slashing .325/.387/.383 with 13 runs batted in, 20 walks and 29 runs scored. Hearn has recorded two different 10-plus game hitting streaks this season and even more impressive, the right-hander has only gone hitless in seven games. Complimenting Hearn’s hitting ability, first baseman Luis Castro has also put up big numbers in the middle of the JetHawks batting order. The 23-year-old Venezuelan is hitting for a .306 average in 50 games, while having the team-lead in home runs (12) and runs batted in (42). On the mound, Colorado Rockies No. 3 prospect Ryan Rolison has dominated the hill even in a hitter-friendly ballpark like The Hangar. In seven starts, the former Ole Miss southpaw has gone 2-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 40.2 innings with 41 strikeouts. In two appearances against the Storm, Rolison is 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA to go along with 15 punch outs.