The Lake Elsinore Storm improved their second half record over their first half record and clinched the final playoff spot by tying with Inland Empire for second place in the Cal South division. Both the Storm and 66ers finished eleven games back of Rancho Cucamonga, who also won the first half title in the division.

The offense for the Storm finished with infielders Jeudy Valdez, Jonathon Galvez and Nate Freiman carrying the majority of the first half of the lineup load. Catcher/first baseman and DH Tommy Medica was hampered for the whole season with a recurring, persistent shoulder injury and was only able to DH after coming back from the DL during the second half of the season. When able to play, Medica carried a consistent .300 or above average and also contributed to the top half of the lineup.

The Cal league is a hitter’s league for the most part and it was difficult to find outstanding pitching numbers among the Storm staff. Starter Jose DePaula shined with a 10-5 record and 5.22 ERA in 23 games started and 112 innings pitched.

Left handed starter Andrew Werner began the season with Fort Wayne and was promoted half way thru the season. He finished the year with a 5-2 record and 3.03 ERA for the Storm in 13 games started and 68.1 innings pitched.

The Lake Elsinore Storm continued their second half of the season surge with a 4-2 winning record for the week and a 21-13 overall record for the second half. That keeps them in first place for the second half of the season and in second place overall for the season.

Middle infielders Jeudy Valdez SS and Jonathon Galvez 2B continue their hot hitting with Galvez holding his average at .303 with two doubles, eight RBI and two homeruns for the week. Valdez contributed a double, triple, homerun and six RBI for the week.

In a review of their season so far, Galvez is at .303/.373/.486 and is tied for second with most runs scored (63), third for most doubles (26), tied for first for most triples with Valdez and Payne (5), second in HR (10), third in RBI (65) but continues to strike out a bit too much for someone at the upper third of the line up (85).

The Storm is keeping up their second half momentum with a winning week and maintaining their hold on first place in the second half as well. They are 17-11 in their first four weeks of the new season and 4-2 for the week.

Two players had standout games during the week.

IF Jeudy Valdez was a single shy of a cycle on 7/16 with 7 RBI for the game. His overall average stayed the same over the week but he amassed  3 2B, 3B, HR and 10 RBI total.

1B Nate Freiman had a 5 RBI game on 7/21 with a 3B and two HR for the game.

OF Rey Fuentes continues to hit well, improving his average from .273 to .285 with two 3B, HR and 4 RBI for the week.

The Storm split their six game week with a 3-3 record and 13-9 overall. Good pitching performances from Andrew Werner (2-0, 1.88 ERA), Matt Lollis (2.2 IP with 2 H in relief), Mike Watt (5.1 IP with 5 hits) and reliever Jason Ray (1 win, 2 saves for 4-1 record and 1.35 ERA) bolstered the three wins while Jonathon Galvez and Jeudy Valdez continue to roll.

Galvez line: 3 2B, 1 3B, 6 RBI to increase his average from .294 to .299

Valdez line: 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI to hold his average around .280

Manager Phil Plantier is still juggling the lineup to find the best combinations of hitters with the third spot shared among Galvez, Valdez and the rehabbing Mike Baxter. The cleanup spot is shared among Freiman and outfielders Meeley and Payne. This was made necessary with the promotion of Jason Hagerty to San Antonio on July 14^th. This promises to throw the Storm lineup into more of an upheaval than previously anticipated but shows the organization having an increased amount of appreciation for the skills of Hagerty.

CF Rey Fuentes was again placed on the inactive list and then reactivated four days later.

Catcher Ross Brayton was sent to LE from Arizona for three days and Jhonaldo Pozo was placed with the Storm from Fort Wayne when Brayton was sent back to Arizona.

Catcher Rocky Gale was then moved from Tucson to Lake Elsinore for two days then moved to San Antonio in exchange for Eddy Rodriquez. It seems quite obvious that the Padre organization is having a difficult time deciding which catchers belong with which teams and at which levels. Moving catchers around to balance skill levels and experience needs has always been prevalent within the Padres minor leagues and this season proves to be the most interesting in that area.

The loss of two of the Storm’s best hitters in a two week period might prove to be a huge challenge for this team. The top of the lineup boasts three high upside prospects in Fuentes, Galvez and Valdez but they might need to be split up to strengthen the lower part of the lineup and provide support for the newer players. The batting order going forward still boasts three hitters with .300 averages but others will have to step up if the Storm is to succeed going forward.