STORM 10, INLAND EMPIRE 4: Storm make playoff push at Petco

Storm take three-game lead over Inland Empire with five to play

By ED WEHDE - Staff Writer | Wednesday, August 27, 2008 9:13 PM PDT ∞

Allan Dykstra fouls back a pitch during the Storm's game with the Inland Empire 66ers on Wednesday at Petco Park. Dykstra did get his first pro hit, though, with a bases-clearing double in the second inning. (Photo by Jamie Scott Lytle - Staff Photographer)

The Storm's Sam Carter, left, Kellen Kulbacki, center, and Mitch Canham, right, celebrate after scoring on Allan Dykstra's double in the second inning. (Photo by Jamie Scott Lytle - Staff Photographer)

SAN DIEGO---- In the midst of the California League playoff chase, the Storm and Inland Empire took a diversion from the every day life of the minor leagues to play the eighth annual major league-minor league double header at Petco Park in San Diego.

And though Lake Elsinore was facing one of the teams it's battling for a postseason berth, Storm manager Carlos Lezcano had a refreshing message for his club.

"I told the guys before the game, 'Let's go out there and have fun,'" Lezcano said.

His team did just that, breaking out for seven runs in the second inning and rolling to a 10-4 win.

The victory allowed the Storm (68-67 overall, 36-29 second half) to open up a three-game lead over the 66ers (65-70, 34-31) in the chase for two South Division wild-card berths with just five games left in the season. Rancho Cucamonga, which is also in the hunt, began the night two games behind the Storm.

"This was a big win for us," Lezcano said. "Now we're three games ahead of Inland Empire ---- that's a two-game swing. If we can win one of the next two, we should be in good shape."

The Storm looked like they would fall behind in the top of the first when a single and an error put Sixers runners on second and third with no outs. But Storm starter Cesar Carrillo got a pair of pop outs, and Bridger Hunt was thrown out trying to score from third on a pitch that got past catcher Mitch Canham.

"I thought that was the key, Cesar pitching around that error," Lezcano said.

The Storm sent 12 batters to the plate while taking control of the game in the second inning.

A pair of walks and a single loaded the bases with no outs for Allan Dykstra, the Padres first-round pick in this year's draft who grew up in Rancho Bernardo rooting for the Padres. The designated hitter was activated by the Storm on Sunday after prolonged contract negotiations but had yet to get a hit.

Dykstra made his first professional hit count, belting a bases-clearing double to right center to get the Storm rolling.

"During the summers, I came to a lot of games here and at Qualcomm," Dykstra said. "It was really nice playing here today.

"I was just hoping for a little bleeder or something to get me started. A three-run double is awesome. You can't ask for anything more than that."

Eric Sogard added a two-run double and Luis Durango and Kellen Kulbacki each drove in a run in the frame to stake Carrillo to a big lead.

"It's nice," Carrillo said about the run support, "but at the same time, you know you have to throw strikes and not walk guys. But who wouldn't want to pitch with the lead."

Carrillo ended up going five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks to earn his second straight win and third in four decisions to improve to 3-4 as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.

"After being out for a year, it's just nice to be pitching again," Carrillo said. "To be on a team that's going to the playoffs and to be able to help out is even better."

Inland Empire starter Steve Johnson (3-5) was charged with seven runs on six hits and two walks to take the loss, his second straight to the Storm.

Two of the few highlights for the Sixers were solo home runs by Drew Locke in the fourth and Tommy Giles in the sixth.

"I hit it pretty good," Locke said. "I thought it was way out, then it looked like (Storm left fielder Luis Durango) almost caught it."

 

Contact staff writer Ed Wehde at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2633 or ewehde@californian.com.