July 17-19, 2019
STORM vs. NUTS
Following a league-wide day off, the Storm return to Pete Lehr Field to open up a six-game homestand against the Modesto nuts. The Nuts, Class-A Advanced affiliate if the Seattle Mariners will be making their one and only visit to Lake Elsinore this season after the Storm won both series (two out of three) at John Thurman Field at the end of May as well as last week. The Storm lead the season series 4-2, as both teams are in the midst of grinding out a chance at a playoff berth here in the second half. The Nuts, who finished the first half last in the North division with a record of 30-40 and 16 games back of Visalia, is in search of their second championship in the last three seasons after winning it all in 2017.
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MORE ABOUT THE NUTS: 2019 marks the third season that the Nuts are a part of the Seattle Mariners franchise, following a 17-year run under the Colorado Rockies affiliation. The history of Modesto’s baseball team dates back to 1914, when the team debuted as the Modesto Reds. The organization went on a 31-year hiatus before returning as an independent team in 1946 and has since been affiliated with 10 franchises. They adopted the “Nuts” moniker in 2005 to reflect the several types of nuts that grow in that region of California. Notable alumni include Ricky Henderson, Jose Canseco, Rollie Fingers, Mark McGwire, Nolan Arenado, Troy Tulowitzki and Trevor Story.
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
LAKE ELSINORE STORM
7/17 – Osvaldo Hernandez - LHP
7/18 – Aaron Leasher - LHP
7/19 – Elliot Ashbeck - RHP
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MODESTO NUTS
7/17 – Matt Walker - RHP
7/18 – Steven Moyers - LHP
7/19 – Ian McKinney - LHP
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July 20-22, 2019
STORM vs. RAWHIDE
As the Storm continue their six-game homestand, they will host the Visalia Rawhide for the final three games. The Rawhide, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have displayed their dominance this season against the North division as well as the entire league, as they currently hold the best overall record of 59-33. After running away with the first half championship crown, that included a franchise long 14-game winning streak, the Rawhide will make their return to the Cal League postseason for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Against the Storm this season, the Eyes have the advantage 4-2, with back-to-back series wins. The Eyes won the final two games last weekend at Recreation Park, which capped off a successful six-game road trip, going 4-2. Looking into the numbers, success has found the Storm in all facets of the game as they lead in batting average (.260 to .219) and runs scored (28-19), while on the pitching side, recording a 2.72 ERA.
MORE ABOUT THE RAWHIDE: This is the 13th season the Visalia Rawhide have been affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Before that, the franchise had ties to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Oakland A’s Minnesota Twins (championship inn 1978) and New York Mets (championship in 1971). Back when the team was known as the Visalia Oaks, they were mentioned in many Hollywood baseball movies such as “Moneyball”, “Bull Durham” and “Little Big League”. The organization has produced MLB superstars such as Paul Goldschmidt, Max Scherzer, Randy Johnson and Kirby Puckett. This season, the Rawhide had eight players selected to the California League All-Star Game. Those players included RHP Jeff Bain and West Tunnell; infielders Jose Caballero, Jancarlos Cintron, Camden Duzenack and Yoel Yanqui; as well as outfielder Mark Karaviotis, who ended up being named All-Star Game Most Valuable Player.
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
LAKE ELSINORE STORM
7/20 – Luis Patino - RHP
7/21 – Caleb Boushley - RHP
7/22 – Gabe Mosser - RHP
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VISALIA RAWHIDE
7/20 – Jeff Bain - RHP
7/21 – Justin Vernia - RHP
7/22 – Bryan Valdez - LHP
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KEEP AN EYE OUT
With only a month-in-a-half left in the regular season, the Storm look to continue dominant offensive and pitching performances as they move towards a run at the second half South division crown. Since the All-Star Break, utility infielder Eguy Rosario has broken out of his slump and is a formidable piece in the middle of the starting lineup. The 19-year-old put together a team-high 16-game hitting streak to begin the second half, where he batted .382 (26-for-68) with one home run and 17 runs batted in. With a .356 batting aver through the first 26 games post All-Star Break, Rosario has lifted his overall batting average to .268 and is now tied for second in doubles with 16. Alongside Rosario, infielder Allen Cordoba has been swinging a hot bat and looking like a completely different player from last season to now. Since July 1, the Panamanian is batting .333 (19-for-57) with two home runs, six runs batted in and seven stolen bases. During this time, Cordoba has moved into third place in the California League with a .313 batting average in 65 games, while recording three separate eight-game hitting streaks (or longer), which helped improve his on-base percentage to .369 and total runs scored to 47. On the mound, southpaw Aaron Leasher has found his groove and quickly became a top of the rotation starter since the promotion of MacKenzie Gore to Double-A Amarillo. The former 6th Round Draft pick in 2017 may only be 7-5 with a 3.43 ERA in 16 appearances (13 starts) this season, but it has been his second half that turns heads. Leasher has won four consecutive decisions while pitching a sub-one ERA (0.72) and 30 strikeouts in 25 innings. After a six-inning scoreless performance with a career-high nine strikeouts on June 23 versus the Inland Empire 66ers, Leasher was named California League Pitcher of the Week for the first time in his professional career.
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NIGHTS TO WATCH
The six-game homestand kicks off against the Nuts featuring the return of $5 Wednesdays, where parking, selected tickets and concession items are just five dollars, as well as Cadejos Thirsty Thursday, celebrating Minor League Baseballs’ Copa De La Diversion. On Friday, July 19, The Diamond will welcome many different churches and faith organizations around southern California for Faith and Family Night. The first 1,000 fans that night will receive a toothbrush from Winchester Dental, where they make your smile a hit! The very next night on July 20, 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. The homestand will wrap up with Salute to Soldiers Sunday Funday as active and retired military members can receive four FREE tickets, followed by Bark ‘N Brew Monday on July 22.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS: COUNTRY NIGHT MAKES IT’S BOOT SCOOTIN’ BOGGIE RETURN TO THE DIAMOND ON SATURDAY, JULY 27 PRESENTED BY TWISTED TEA. THE FIRST 500 FANS (21 AND OLDER) WILL BE ABLE TO SPORT A TWISTED TEA BALLCAP. COUNTY MUSIC AND FUN ACTIVITIES WILL FILL THE NIGHT AS WE PAY TRIBUTE TO 58 STRONG AND THE VICTIMS OF THE ROUTE 91 AND BOARDERLINE BAR & GRILL SHOOTINGS. THE VERY NEXT NIGHT, IT IS TIME TO STRIKE OUT CANCER. AS WE HONOR THOSE THAT HAVE FALLEN AND THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO FIGHT ONE OF LIFE’S AWFUL ILLNESSES, THE FIRST 1,000 FANS WILL RECEIVE A LAKE ELSINORE STORM STRIKE OUT CANCER HAT PRESENTED BY WABA GRILL - TEMECULA. YOU CAN PURCHASE TICKETS AT STORMBASEBALL.COM OR CALL US AT 951-245-HITS (4487).
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EYES ON THE OPPONENT
MODESTO NUTS: Right-hander Penn Murfee has been a nice addition to the Nuts starting rotation since his promotion from the Everett AquaSox on April 26. In 18 appearances (12 starts), the former Santa Clara Bronco has gone 5-2 with a 1.96 ERA and 86 strikeouts, which ranks fourth on the pitching staff. In two starts against the Storm, Murfee is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA with opponents’ batting just .214 in 11 innings. Outfielder Jarred Kelenic (Seattle Mariners No. 1 Prospect according to MLBPipeline.com) has carried the load offensively at the top of the Modesto lineup. In 30 games since his promotion from West Virginia (A), the former New York Mets prospect, who was acquired in the Robinson Cano trade, is batting .250 with four home runs, 14 runs batted in and 20 runs scored. July has been his best month by far as he is hitting for a .318 average, .423 on-base percentage and .545 slugging percentage.
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VISALIA RAWHIDE: As first half champs, the Rawhide were able to get contributions from across the diamond leading to their fifth postseason berth in the past six seasons. After starting the season in the Midwest League with Kane County (A), outfielder LT Tolbert has proven to be most valuable at the top of the Rawhide lineup. The former South Carolina Gamecock, ranks second on the team in batting average (.346), while tied for first in doubles (17). Out of the bullpen, Luis Castillo has been the most dominant arm in the California League. In 29 appearances, the 24-year-old Dominican Republic native is 8-0 with a 3.93 ERA with one save. In 52.2 innings, Castillo has recorded a 15BB/61K walk to strikeout split, while opponents are hitting just .254.
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