LAKE ELSINORE, CA - After a tough extra-innings loss last night to Ontario, Lake Elsinore attempted to answer in a Wednesday night bout against the Tower Buzzers. The Storm held the Buzzers to just three runs after allowing nine yesterday, but the offense couldn’t hold up their end of the bargain, and Lake Elsinore fell 3-2 to Ontario.
The scoring started in the first when the Tower Buzzers took control early. With two runners on and two outs, Joendry Vargas slashed a two-run triple and gave Ontario an early lead. After three scoreless innings, The Buzzers struck again in the fifth when Kellon Lindsey socked his fifth homer this year for Ontario and extended the lead to 3-0.
After three more scoreless innings, Lake Elsinore put up a fight in the ninth. After a leadoff double from Dawson Willis in his first game back from the injured list, Ty Harvey struck out, but Jorge Quintana followed with a walk. That brought the tying run to the plate, represented by Alex Conover in his first-ever professional baseball game. Conover struck out to put two away in the inning.
Then, Yimy Tovar pinch-hit for Jose Verdugo. Tovar has been consistently clutch for the Storm this year with 29 RBIs on just 33 hits. Once again, he delivered. Off the bench, Tovar drilled a two-run double into left and made it just a one-run game. Truitt Madonna then walked and brought the winning run on base, but that would end the rally after Jesmaylin Arias grounded out to end the game. The Storm’s rally attempt came up short, and Lake Elsinore fell 3-2 to Ontario.
Lake Elsinore returns to action on Thursday to face Ontario for game three of the six-game set from Diamond Stadium. This is the fifth series of the year between the Storm and the Tower Buzzers, with the two teams tied 10-10. The Storm will send RHP Lan-Hong Su (0-3, 5.93) to the mound to face off against Tower Buzzers RHP Luis Gamez (2-0, 3.96). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PT.
About the Lake Elsinore Storm
The Lake Elsinore Storm are the Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres in the California League. For more information on the Storm, visit milb.com/lake-elsinore. For information about tickets to any of Lake Elsinore’s 66 home games, call (951) 245-4487 or email: info@stormbaseball.com.