The Lake Elsinore Storm scored two deciding runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to post a 3-1 victory over Visalia, avoiding a sweep in the three-game series. A crowd of 6,096 at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore saw the home team break up a tense pitching duel and knock off the juggernaut Rawhide.
Visalia starter R.J.Hively went six strong innings, striking out 10, but was matched by Lake Elsinore’s Ronald Herrera, who gave up just one earned run over 5 1/3 innings. Gabriel Quintana doubled in a run for the Storm in the bottom of the fourth to break the scoreless tie. In the top of the sixth, Visalia’s Jamie Westbrook singled in a run to tie it up.
Hively started the bottom of the sixth with a HBP, followed by a walk. The Storm made him pay for the mistakes as Nick Schulz stole third and came home on a wild pitch for a 2-1 lead. Quintana then singled in another run to provide what would prove to be the winning margin.
Quintana had three of Lake Elsinore’s seven hits, including two doubles, and drove two runs.
Westbrook and Gerson Montilla had two hits each for the Rawhide.
Visalia’s second-half record is now 15-6 and they will head to Rancho Cucamonga for a four-game series. Lake Elsinore is now 6-15 and will head to Modesto for four games against the Nuts, who are trying to track down the Rawhide in the North Division.
FRIDAY SCOREBOARD
BAKERSFIELD 6, MODESTO 5 (11 Innings)
Jay Baum singles in the winner in a two-run 11th after Modesto takes the lead in the top of the inning.
SAN JOSE 3, STOCKTON 0
Martin Agosto goes six shutout innings, Tyler Horan launches two-run homer (9) as Giants improve to 13-8 in the second half.
INLAND EMPIRE 4, LANCASTER 0
Sean Newcomb (5-1), back from the Futures Game, strikes out eight over five scoreless innings. Roberto Baldoquin goes 3-for-4, Eric Aguilera blasts his 11th homer.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA at HIGH DESERT – PPD, BRUSH FIRE
Brush fire too close to the stadium. This tweet from Rancho Cucamonga play-by-play announcer Dave Polaski:
So this is kind of a thing today…on our way to High Desert, major brush fire blocking lanes on the 15. #MiLBprobz pic.twitter.com/uFraU8QOWA
— Dave Polaski (@DavePolaski) July 18, 2015
