July 4-6, 2019
STORM vs. JETHAWKS
Following a seven-game road trip, the Storm return to Pete Lehr Field to kick off a six-game homestand beginning with three against the Lancaster JetHawks. The JetHawks, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Colorado Rockies will be making their third appearance in Lake Elsinore this season after the Storm took three of five back in the middle of June. With 15 head-to-head matchups completed, Lancaster does have the 8-7 advantage, which includes a 5-4 record at The Diamond and both teams splitting three each at The Hangar. Even with a close head-to-head record, the Eyes still lead in certain statistical categories such as batting average (.259), runs scored (67) and ERA (3.14). With the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes taking the South division crown in the first half, the Storm and JetHawks will battle alongside the 66ers for a chance at the postseason.
MORE ABOUT THE JETHAWKS: Following a third-place finish in the South division with a record of 34-34 to conclude the first half, they are in search of contenting and securing their sixth consecutive playoff appearance. In a season where Lancaster has put up high offensive numbers, they had seven players selected to the California League All-Star game, which included 1B Sean Bouchard, 1B Luis Castro, SS Carlos Herrera, OF Casey Golden (HR Derby Champion), OF Matt Hearn and OF Ramon Marcelino. Rounding out the final spot was Colorado Rockies No. 3 prospect LHP Ryan Rolison.
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
LAKE ELSINORE STORM
7/4 – Reiss Knehr - RHP
7/5 – Aaron Leasher - LHP
7/6 – Osvaldo Hernandez - LHP
LANCASTER JERTHAWKS
7/4 – Antonio Santos - RHP
7/5 – Lucas Gilbreath - LHP
7/6 – Will Gaddis - RHP
July 7-8, 2019
STORM vs. QUAKES
As the Storm continue their six-game homestand, they will host their I-15 rival Rancho Cucamonga Quakes for the final three games. The Quakes, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, have displayed their dominance against the Storm yet again this season thus far, except the last time these two teams played at The Diamond. Back during the three-game series on June 24-26, the Eyes won the final two game of the series, for their first series win versus the Quakes since May 18-20 of 2018. As both squads are filled with Top-30 prospects, it is not surprising that the stats are off the charts in regards to pitching and hitting. The Dodgers affiliate leads the runs scored category 93 to 73, but oddly enough, the Padres affiliate have the lead in batting average .242 to .224. On the mound, Storm pitchers have accrued more punch outs (198 to 168) in three less innings of work.
MORE ABOUT THE QUAKES: Being the South division first half champs not only clinches home field advantage in the postseason, but they can prepare and compete for the best overall record in the California League. Playing away from their home at LoanMart Field has been a strength of the team all season long. In 42 games, they are 27-15 (.643), which ranks first in the league and in comparison, Lancaster has the next best road record at 21-18 (.538). To make matters even greater, the Quakes had seven players representing the organization in the California League All-Star game. The players include SS Jeter Downs, OF Donavan Casey, 3B Devin Mann, C Connor Wong, RHP Wills Montgomerie and RHP Edwin Uceta and lastly LHP Logan Salow.
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
LAKE ELSINORE STORM
7/7 – Caleb Boushley - RHP
7/8 – TBD
7/9 – TBD
RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES
7/7 – Josiah Gray - RHP
7/8 – Andre Jackson - RHP
7/9 – Leo Crawford - LHP
KEEP AN EYE OUT
As the second half of the 2019 season is in full swing, dominant performances on the offensive and pitching side of the baseball continue to shine through as the Storm look to make a run at the second half South division crown. After stumbling towards the All-Star Break, utility infielder Eguy Rosario has broken out of his slump and is off to a red-hot start in the first 12 games. The 19-year-old is currently on a team-high 12-game hitting streak that has him batting .365 (19-for-52) with one home run and 14 runs batted in. During this stretch, Rosario has lifted his overall batting average from .223 to .252. Alongside Rosario, infielder Allen Cordoba has been swinging a hot bat as well. Since June 1, the Panamanian is batting .347 (41-for-118) with a team-leading eight doubles, three triples and scoring 26 runs. During this time, Cordoba has recorded two separate eight-game hitting streaks that has not only lifted his batting average to second on the team (.310) behind Luis Campusano, but also places him behind Campusano for slugging percentage (.417). In relief, right-hander Nick Kuzia has not only traveled to three different levels of the San Diego Padres farm system in the past month, but he has settled down nicely to compliment the back end of the bullpen. In eight appearances, the Seymour, Connecticut native is 1-0 with a sub-one ERA (0.63), while recording 14 strikeouts in 14.1 innings. Opponents are batting just .184 against the right-hander and he has pitched four consecutive shutout outings since his return from Double-A Amarillo where he picked up a win in relief on June 21 versus the Tulsa Drillers (Los Angeles Dodgers Texas League affiliate).
NIGHTS TO WATCH
This six-game homestand kicks off against the JetHawks and features a firework extravaganza as we celebrate the Fourth of July, Storm style at The Diamond. On Saturday July 6, basketball will take over as the first 1,500 fans will receive a L.E. Bron Los Angeles Lakers jersey presented by LifeStream Blood Bank that includes a touch of Storm flare. On Monday, July 8, we turn back the clocks to the good ole days of baseball as it is Nothing Night. Fans can enjoy FREE admission and FREE parking, while being able to bring your own food and drinks (excluding alcohol), all with no promotions or bells and whistles... just baseball!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: FAITH AD FAMILY NIGHT RETURNS TO PETE LEHR FIELD ON FRIDAY, JULY 19 AS WE WELCOME MANY DIFFERENT CHURCHES AND FAITH ORGANIZATIONS AROUND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE FIRST 1,000 FANS ON THAT NIGHT WILL RECEIVE A TOOTHBRUSH FROM WINCHESTER DENTAL, WHERE THEY MAKE YOUR SMILE A HIT! THE VERY NEXT NIGHT, KEEP YOUR CAR COOL DURING THOSE HOT SUMMER DAYS AS THE FIRST 1,500 FANS WILL RECEIVE A STORM EYES CAR SUNSHADE PRESENTED BY JOHN HINE TEMECULA SUBARU. YOU CAN PURCHASE TICKETS AT STORMBASEBALL.COM. WE’LL SEE YOU THERE!
EYES ON THE OPPONENT
LANCASTER JETHAWKS: First baseman Sean Bouchard, who currently ranks top-10 in the California League in batting average (.296), has been a leading force in the starting lineup for the JetHawks. In 14 games against the Storm the former UCLA Bruin is batting .280 (14-for-50) with a home run, six runs batted in and five doubles. Bouchard has been sizzling hot out of the gates in the second half with a hit in 10 of 12 games along with five home runs and 16 runs batted in. On the mound, reliever Moises Ceja continues to be one of the most dominant arms in the bullpen. In 24 appearances, the 23-year-old Sylmar, California native is undefeated at 5-0 with a 2.75 ERA along with 38 strikeouts in 39.1 innings. Ceja has appeared against the Storm the most on the staff (6) and has recorded a sub-one (0.96) in 9.1 innings.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES: As first half champs, the Quakes were able to get contributions from across the diamond leading to their fifth consecutive playoff berth. After a slow start to the season, outfielder Devin Mann has emerged out of the middle of the lineup slugging to kick off the second half. The former Louisville Cardinal is batting .388 (19 hits) along with five home runs and 12 runs batted in. HE currently leads the Quakes in hits (81), doubles (17) and home runs (17). Ever since his promotion from Great Lakes (A), right-hander Josiah Gray has come to the California League and kept consistency. In 10 starts, Gray is 5-0 with a 2.53 ERA with 67 strikeouts and the league batting just .230 against him. The New York native has kept the Storm bats silence in three games as he allowed just one earned-run and 10 hits in 19.2 total innings.