Back at The Diamond, Lake Elsinore pounds out 15 hits, 15 runs in win over Oaks
By: ED WEHDE - Staff Writer | ∞
LAKE ELSINORE -- The Storm arrived in Lake Elsinore at 5 a.m. Wednesday after bussing down from San Jose following the conclusion of a 1-5 road trip. Wednesday evening, the sleep-challenged team skipped batting practice and infield before the scheduled 6:07 p.m. first pitch against Visalia.
No matter, though.
The familiar environment of The Diamond and a full-house crowd of 8,081 were enough to rejuvenate the Storm, who scored at least once in each of the first four innings and six times in the sixth en route to a 15-8 win over Visalia.
The Storm (6-8 second half, 43-41) are now 29-14 at home and 14-27 on the road this season.
"I don't know (what the difference is)," Storm manager Carlos Lezcano said. "I'm trying to figure it out. This club just plays really well at home."
Storm center fielder Yordany Ramirez had his own explanation for the Storm's success at The Diamond.
"We have great fans, and they get us excited," Ramirez said. "We try to do the best we can because we want the fans to see a good game."
The Storm pounded out 15 hits, including eight for extra bases, so offensive stars were in abundance for Lake Elsinore on Wednesday.
Matt Antonelli blasted his 13th homer of the season in the sixth and a ripped three-run triple in the eighth. Seth Johnston had a three-run triple in the sixth, Chad Huffman went 4-for-5 and scored three times, and Kyle Blanks reached base four times.
Every Storm batter scored at least once, and Mayo Santana, who started at first base for Visalia, and Derek Bruce, who started at second base, combined to throw the final two innings for the Oaks.
Doug Brocail, the Padres pitcher who is on a rehabilitation assignment in Lake Elsinore, held the Oaks scoreless on two hits over the first two innings, and newly promoted Nathan Culp followed in his California League debut.
Culp held Visalia (8-6, 42-42) scoreless in his first three innings, but gave up six runs (five earned) over his last 1 2/3. In all, the left-hander surrendered 12 hits but didn't walk a batter, and the Lake Elsinore offense made his effort stand up for his first win in the Cal League. He is now a combined 9-3 for Lake Elsinore and Low-A Ft. Wayne (Ind.) this season.
"I think he got a little tired the last inning and they hit some balls," Lezcano said. "It was his first outing with us. With the expectations of his first start here, he got a little tired."
Et cetera
LHP Wade LeBlanc and RHP Manny Ayala were promoted to Double-A San Antonio during the team's recent road trip. To take their spots on the roster, Culp and RHP Wilton Lopez were brought up from Low-A Fort Wayne. Culp will join the Storm's rotation and Lopez will work in relief, Lezcano said.
-- Staff writer Ed Wehde can be reached at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2633 or ewehde@californian.com.
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