LAKE ELSINORE -- The Storm were witness to a comedy of errors Thursday night. San Jose made a season-high eight errors -- four by shortstop Brian Bocock -- and had a passed ball and a wild pitch lead to runs while handing the Storm a 13-3 win at The Diamond.

Only five of the Storm's 13 runs were earned.

"It's just one of those things that happens," San Jose manager Lenn Sakata said about his team's fielding woes. "It just crept in and kept building.

"There's nothing you can say (to the players). They were trying. We just started off kind of sloppy and it progressed to almost ridiculousness. Games like this crop up in A-Ball."

The Storm (30-31) have now won two straight on the heels of the season-high-equaling four-game skid they snapped Wednesday. However, both Lancaster and Inland Empire -- which share first place in the California League's South Division -- won, leaving Lake Elsinore 1 1/2 games back with nine games left in the first half.

Storm starter Manny Ayala, who has thrown well no matter where he's pitched this season but has been unbeatable at home, was the beneficiary of San Jose's generosity.

The 22-year-old right-hander improved to 8-2 on the season by scattering five hits without walking a batter and matching his season best with eight strikeouts. He held San Jose (34-26) scoreless over six innings.

Ayala, who matched Modesto's Brandon Hynick for the Cal League lead in wins, is now 6-0 with a 0.99 ERA in six starts at The Diamond.

"Ayala has been consistent all year long," Storm manager Carlos Lezcano said. "I only remember once or twice all year when he hasn't had a quality start. He and LeBlanc have been the backbone of our pitching staff."

The Giants' defensive misadventures started in the second when the Storm's Chad Huffman struck out but reached on a passed ball by catcher Adam Witter. Then Nic Crosta made the Giants pay by drilling a home run to right field for a 2-0 lead.

After pair of Giants errors led to three unearned runs in the third, and in the sixth, Freese reached second when right fielder Mike Mooney dropped his fly ball and later scored.

Three errors -- including two by Bocock, who booted potential double-play balls on consecutive plays -- led to three unearned runs in Lake Elsinore's five-run seventh. Blanks' three-run double was the only hit in the inning.

"We were fortunate enough to get the big hits when they gave up opportunities," said Crosta, who was 3-for-4 on the night. "I think that everybody had good at-bats from the top to the bottom of the lineup tonight. If they're going to give us four outs in an innings, we'll take advantage."

Staff writer Ed Wehde can be reached at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2633 or ewehde@californian.com.