Storm Snap Losing Streak, Beat Ports For First Time this Season

The Storm's first 5 game losing streak of the season was snapped on Wednesday night behind a quality start from their starting pitcher, Jesus Gonzalez, and more offensive star power. Gonzalez would go 6.1 innings, giving up 2 runs, and striking out 2 in his 5th win of the season. He would also nearly extend his start through 7 innings, a rarity for most Single-A pitchers, before he ran into trouble in the 7th inning. After striking out the first batter he faced in the inning, he would allow a home run and a double on the very next pitch to conclude his Wednesday night.

Despite failing to make it through 7 innings, the Storm offense would provide more than enough power to get him the win. In the third inning, a Nerwilian Cedeño single would score Wyatt Hoffman, in the fourth, a Justin Farmer single would score Carlos Luis, and then the Storm would score 2 runs in three consecutive innings to take home the win at a final score of 8-3.

James Wood provided 2 of these runs in the 6th when he hit his 9th home run of the season on a 2-run bomb into the deepest part of the park. Estimated at over 420 feet from home plate to centerfield, this shot was no gimmick. Wood has had a blazing start to his professional career. In his first 46 professional games, he has a .320 BA, .443 OBP, .573 SLG, and a ridiculous 1.016 OPS.

The Storm offense would combine for 11 hits, 4 of which were of the extra base variety.

Keegan Collett would come in to relieve Gonzalez in the 7th inning, going 1.2 innings, striking out 4 and allowing just 1 earned run. Alan Mundo would follow him out of the bullpen, finishing the game on his second strikeout of the night, and lowering his season ERA to 2.33.

The Storm will play the Ports again tomorrow night for Mega Thirsty Thursday at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore.

-Written by Justin Jett