San Jose Giants Dominate Storm in Game 4 Blowout, Series Now Tied 2-2

By Larry Belmontes

The San Jose Giants came out swinging Friday night and never looked back, crushing the Lake Elsinore Storm 16-3 in Game four of their series at Excite Ballpark. Fueled by a relentless offense and solid pitching, the Giants tied the series at 2-2 and sent a message heading into the rubber match.

The Game

From the moment Carlos Gutierrez crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Jakob Christian in the bottom of the 1st, the Giants’ offense smelled blood. Moments later, Walker Martin ripped a triple down the right-field line, bringing home Dakota Jordan and putting San Jose ahead 2-0 early. They didn’t stop there.

In the 2nd inning, Jean Carlos Sio grounded out, but it was enough to score Robert Hipwell and make it 3-0. The Storm got on the board in the 3rd thanks to a soft RBI single by Cobb Hightower, but that would be as close as they’d get. Then came the 4th inning, and it was an offensive avalanche.

It started with a solo home run by Robert Hipwell, his first of the year. From there, the Giants began drawing walks like it was batting practice. Three straight bases loaded walks brought in three runs before Walker Martin capped the inning with a towering grand slam to center field, his second home run of the season, blowing the game wide open at 11-1.

The Storm showed signs of life in the top of the 5th, when Hightower tripled in a run and later scored on a Kasen Wells single, trimming the deficit to 11-3. But San Jose had more fireworks left.

In the bottom of the 6th, Dakota Jordan poked an infield single to bring home another run. Then came yet another walk , the fourth RBI free pass of the night, before Zander Darby broke things open againwith a three-run double, sealing the 16-3 final.

Pitching Dominance

San Jose’s pitching staff, anchored by Darien Daniel Smith, kept the Storm in check all night. Smith, a product of Southeastern University in Florida, kept hitters off balance with a mix of velocity and sharp breaking stuff. He racked up nine strikeouts, including key Ks against Cobb Hightower, Kasen Wells, and Kaden Hollow.

Lake Elsinore starter Kleiber Olmedo, the young Venezuelan righty, struggled with command and couldn’t survive the onslaught, giving up walk after walk and suffering the worst of the 9-run 4th inning.

Stars of the Night

Walker Martin (SJ): 2-for-5 with 5 RBIs, including a triple and a grand slam.

Dakota Jordan (SJ): Reached base four times, scored 3 runs, and drove in 1.

Cobb Hightower (LE): Provided the only spark for the Storm with a triple and two RBIs.

Series Implications

This Game 4 beatdown puts the series at a 2-2 deadlock with one more to go. The Giants’ offensive explosion and consistent pitching might just give them the momentum they need to take the series at home in front of their fans.

If Game 5 is anything like this one, the Storm better brace for impact.

Current California League Standings

In the California League South, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Dodgers) continue to dominate with a (21-10) record, sitting comfortably at the top. The Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) trail by six games at (15-16), while the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) remain in third place with a (13-18) record, eight games back. The Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) round out the division at (11-20), ten games behind the leader.

In the California League North, the Modesto Nuts (Mariners) are clinging to the top spot at (19-12). Just one game back are the surging San Jose Giants (Giants), who improved to (18-13) with their explosive game four win over the Storm. The Stockton Ports (Athletics) sit four games off the pace at (15-16), while the Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies) remain at the bottom of the division with a (12-19) mark.

Social Media

Follow The Lake Elsinore Storm on social media:

Facebook: Lake Elsinore Storm

TikTok: @stormbaseball_

Instagram: @lakeelsinorestorm

X: @Storm_Baseball

And Keep Up With Larry B. and Cecilia's posts when they attend Storm games at:

Facebook: The Sports Couple Perspectives

TikTok: TSCP_IESR

Instagram: @tscp_iesr

X: @TSCP_IESR

Image Source: Facebook: Lake Elsinore Storm