The Storm claimed three of the four series wins against the Inland Empire 66ers when Justin Miller hit a two-out single in the ninth to score Connor Powers and Rico Noel, giving the Storm the 5-3 win and sole possession of first place in the south division.
Storm starter Burch Smith retired the first six batters and held Inland Empire scoreless through the third inning. (Cherished Memories)
Miller went 3 for 5 again today with a total of 26 RBIs on 49 hits in just 33 games.
Storm starter Burch Smith retired the first six batters and held Inland Empire scoreless through the third.
In the month of June, Smith has been impressive, striking out 32 batters in 28 2/3 innings pitched and allowing only 10 runs on 20 hits with a 3.68 ERA.
In the fourth inning, the Storm started the rally when Casey McElroy hit a lead off double to right field. A pair of singles by Miller and Tommy Medica put the Storm up 1-0 as McElroy scored.
Miller scored off a sacrifice fly hit by Eddy Rodriguez before the end of the inning to go ahead 2-0.
Inland Empire cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning by way of Rolando Gomez who reached base with a bunt single and scored on a line drive single to right field by Taylor Lindsey.
The 66ers scored a run in the next two consecutive innings, highlighted by a Gomez single in the fifth that scored Jean Almanzar and Jett Bandy’s single in the sixth inning that scored Brennan Gowens to take the 3-2 lead.
After a scoreless seventh the Storm tied the game up in the eighth. Casey McElroy hit a lead off home run — his third for the Storm.
McElroy has now hit in all eight games with the Storm scoring nine runs and five RBIs, hitting .500 thus far.
In the top of the ninth the Storm claimed the victory. Powers singled to right field and Noel hit a line drive single to center to put two on with two outs. Miller hit a ground ball single that shot into center, scoring both to win 5-3.
The Storm heads to Municipal Stadium to face the San Jose Giants for the first time this season in a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants affiliate.
The Storm returns home starting Sunday, July 1 for a three-game series against the Bakersfield Blaze. On July 3, fans can enjoy one of the largest fireworks shows in the area.
For more information visit stormbaseball.com.
*Contributed by the Lake Elsinore Storm
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