By Timothy J Sheridan: Mayor Pro Tem, Lake Elsinore; Director of Broadcasting, Lake Elsinore Storm
Special to Elsinore/Menifee 24/7
The Lake Elsinore Storm’s 6-game winning streak came to an end in the 10th inning of Tuesday night’s series opener against the Ontario Tower Buzzers when Storm reliever Will Kroger was called for a walk with two outs and a runner on 3rd base.
The 10th inning started with the Buzzers’ designated runner, AJ Soldra, on 2nd base. After a groundout, in which the Soldra moved to 3rd, and a strikout, Kroger balked prior to the second pitch to shortstop Emil Morales, allowing the winning run to score. Storm manager Brallan Perez came out of the dugout to argue the call, but to no avail, as Ontario won, 4-3.
It was the Storm’s fourth walk-off loss of the season.
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the 4th, when the Buzzers took an early lead 1-0 on a walk, an error, a steal, and a double.
The Storm tied it up in the 6th when left fielder Conner Westenburg independently manufactured a run on his own. It started when he doubled to lead off the inning. He then stole 3rd base and for good measure, completed a straight steal of home a couple of pitches later. The Houston native has demonstrated early in the season that he is fun to watch.
The Buzzers took the lead back in the bottom of the 6th before the Storm scored twice in the top of the 8th when third baseman Bradley Frye drove in 2 runs to give the Storm the advantage at 3-2.
In the bottom of the 9th, left fielder Ching-Hsien Ko tied the game with a home run to right field to set up the disappointing loss for the Storm in the 10th.
Storm starter Winyer Chourio pitched well over the first 5 innings, giving up just 1 hit and 1 run while striking out 8. Major leaguer Blake Snell, on a rehab assignment in Ontario, started for the Buzzers and struck out 6 in three innings of work.
With the loss, the Storm falls to 12-10 on the season, but still tied for first place in Cal South. Game 2 of the 6-game series between the Storm and the Tower Buzzers continues tonight at 6:35 at ONT Field in Ontario.
The Storm returns home on May 12 for its Education Day game at 11:05 a.m.
For tickets for all Storm games, visit tickets@stormbaseball.com or visit the Diamond Stadium Box Office.
