Storm Continue Offensive Surge, Win Game Two Over Nuts Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm offense continued its torrid pace tonight. They once again had double-digit hits while scoring six runs in a win over the Modesto Nuts. After the roster changes thrust him into the role, this was Javier Chacon's fourth start of the season. So far, he has given
The Lake Elsinore Storm offense continued its torrid pace tonight. They once again had double-digit hits while scoring six runs in a win over the Modesto Nuts.
After the roster changes thrust him into the role, this was Javier Chacon's fourth start of the season. So far, he has given up eight earned runs in 16.2 innings pitched. Tonight was his best start thus far as he tied his season-high in innings pitched while only allowing one earned run. He also got through five frames with six strikeouts. This allowed the Storm to accumulate a comfortable lead in the time between.
Kai Roberts spearheaded much of the offense tonight. The Storm's leadoff man got on base four times, stole two bases for four bags, drove in two runs, and brought in one. In the first inning, he earned his first free pass and forced the Nuts to make a mistake on his stolen base attempt, this got him to third base.
Jack Costello then brought him home on one of his three base hits. This gave the Storm the early lead for the second consecutive night. Chacon allowed his only earned run in the top of the second, meaning the Storm had only one choice in the bottom of the same frame.
They scored again. They would do so on a wild pitch that brought Oswaldo Linares home.
The Storm scored four more times in this game, never giving up the lead after feasting off of Nuts' mistakes in that second inning.
A Lamar King single scored Kai Roberts, a Braedon Karpathios double brought in another in the fifth, and Roberts and Karpathios would bring in two additional runs in the sixth inning.
The Storm would coast from there as they continue to get incredible production from their bullpen. Josh Mallitz got through an inning of work after allowing one run. Tyson Neighbors recorded his first MiLB strikeout in a shutout seventh inning. Yerry Landinez would strike out the side but allow a run in the eighth. Xavier Ruiz, as he has been tasked to do for weeks now, was then there to close the night out. He allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning.
This is Ruiz's seventh save of the season. He has now lowered his ERA to a season-best 2.19 on the year.
The Storm will play again tomorrow at the same time, in the same location, and against the same opponent where they will look to win their sixth straight game.