Rosales can't close the deal

By: BECKY FREEMAN - Staff Writer | Monday, July 4, 2005 10:15 PM PDT ∞

LAKE ELSINORE ---- Monday's holiday made the start of the Storm's Fourth of July showdown against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes look like a game between a bunch of little boys who were just excited to watch the fireworks afterward.

Errors plagued the opening three innings but the Quakes settled down for a 5-4 win in front of 7,539 at the Diamond.

The Storm held a one-run advantage before closer Leo Rosales gave up two runs in the ninth.

"This is a really hard loss, because it wasn't like the guys played poorly," said Storm manager Rick Renteria, whose team dropped to 5-6 in the second half of the season.

Rosales (6-7) brought 12 saves with him as he took the mound with a 4-3 cushion for the Storm. That didn't stand long as Rancho Cucamonga catcher Tim Duff led off with a solo home run to left-center to tie the score. Rosales retired two straight batters, but a Howie Kendrick base hit and stolen base, followed by a Brandon Wood double to left field, scored Kendrick for the winning run.

"Rosie did everything you could ask for," Renteria said. "His fastball just elevated a little and (Duff) got a good swing on it."

The Quakes (7-4) didn't give Storm starter Luke Steidlmayer any time to warm up, as lead-off man Aaron Peel and Matthew Pali both connected on first-inning doubles. Combined with a throwing error from Storm second baseman Peeter Ramos, both runners scored for an early Rancho Cucamonga lead.

The Storm didn't let their visitors enjoy all the early action as two Quakes' errors and a pair of singles from Fernando Valenzuela Jr. and Brett Bonvechio evened up the score at 2-2. Two more Rancho Cucamonga blunders in the second inning, plus a Ramos base hit, gave the Storm a two-run advantage.

Steidlmayer gave up only one more run in the third inning, and the Storm kept their one-run advantage until the top of the ninth inning.

"Steidlmayer battled through sixth innings and the team played pretty good," Renteria said. "We went into the ninth with the lead and expected it to go well, but sometimes it just doesn't work out.

"We expected to win and that's where it hurts."

Rancho's Richard Thompson (4-5) got the win with an inning of hitless relief.

The Storm will take the loss into a three-game home series with the Lancaster JetHawks, a team that competed with Lake Elsinore for the first-half title but has gone 2-9 in the second half.

"Individually and collectively, I hope the guys will take this experience and learn from it," Renteria said. "That's what really matters."

Storm Watch

Padres' first-round pick, right-handed pitcher Cesar Carrillo, was introduced to the near-capacity crowd during the ninth inning Monday night, and during the interview his new teammates gave the rookie an even ruder introduction courtesy of two whip cream pies in the face. Carrillo will make his first major league start on Thursday when the Storm meet Lancaster.

Becky Freeman can be reached at (951) 676-4315 Ext. 2630 or bfreeman@californian.com.