Lake Elsinore Dominates Inland Empire 66ers in Game Two Blowout

By Larry Belmontes

The Inland Empire 66ers entered Game 2 against the Lake Elsinore Storm looking to shift momentum in the series, but instead were swept away by a wave of offense and masterful pitching in an 8-0 shutout at The Diamond. This of course follows last night’s 5-0 blowout of the 66ers over the Storm. 

Early Pressure: Storm Strike First in the 1st

From the opening frame, the Storm made it clear they were locked in. In the bottom of the 1st, Zach Evans grounded a single to left field which brought in Kasen Wells and gave Lake Elsinore an early 1-0 lead.

Pitchers Duel: Texido and Miralles Go Toe-to-Toe

The next four innings saw a tense pitching battle between Inland Empire’s Francis Eduardo Texido and Storm righty Maikel Daniel Miralles. Both starters were electric racking up strikeouts and limiting early damage. Texido kept the game within reach until the 5th when Ryan Jackson laced a double into left field to score Wells again extending the Storm’s lead to 2-0.

Breaking It Open: A 6-Run 6th Inning

The flood gates broke wide open in the 6th and it all It began with Colton Vincent’s RBI single up the middle, scoring Alex McCoy. Then Emil Turbi delivered a two run single to left plating Ryan Wilson and Yendry Rojas. Of course, that was followed by the biggest blow of the night, a booming two run triple from Kasen Wells to center field that scored both Vincent and Turbi! By the time Lamar King Jr. grounded into a double play (bringing in another run), the Storm had hung a six spot in the inning putting the game completely out of reach at 8-0. Let’s Go Storm!

Stars of the Night: Wells and Company Deliver

Wells had a standout performance scoring three times and driving in two while Vincent and Turbi also recorded multi RBI nights. Every inning of contact for Lake Elsinore seemed to sting especially in that monster 6th!

Lights Out: Miralles Mows Down the 66ers

On the mound, Maikel Daniel Miralles was in full command. The 19 year old from Maracay, Venezuela kept the 66ers lineup off balance all night. Inland Empire’s hitters struck out 11 times including key punchouts from Colin Summerhill, Jorge Ruiz, John Wimmer (twice), and Caleb Bartolero. Miralles’ stuff was sharp, mixing velocity and movement to neutralize the middle of the order with ease. Texido, the 66ers’ starter from Havana, Cuba, showed flashes of promise early, but the Storm’s bats caught up with him by the middle innings.

Swing and Miss: 66ers Offense Goes Silent

Inland Empire had no answers at the plate scattering just a handful of baserunners and failing to mount any meaningful threat. They struck out in every inning except the 1st with the 8th and 9th featuring back to back three up, three down strikeout sequences. With the win Lake Elsinore continues their dominance over the South Division’s bottom dwellers and gives their fans plenty to cheer for.

Current California League Standings 

In the California League South, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers) sits atop the standings tied with Modesto at (16-7). They’ve won 9 of their last 10 and look every bit like the team to beat. Visalia (Diamondbacks) is in second at (10-13) followed by Lake Elsinore (Padres), who improved to (8-15) with last night’s win. Inland Empire (Angels) continues to flounder at the bottom at (7-16) having dropped 8 of their last 10 and showing real issues both at the plate and on the mound.

In the California League North, Modesto (Mariners) leads the way at (16-7) playing solid baseball on both sides of the ball and boasting a +37 run differential. San Jose (Giants) trails just behind at (14-9) and actually owns the best run differential in the league at +50. Stockton (Athletics) is hovering at (13-10) just three games out. Fresno (Rockies), meanwhile, is struggling heavily at (8-15) with a league worst -69 run differential.

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