Week 17 of the Lake Elsinore Storm season finds them continuing in a close fight for first in the Cal League South. With a second half record of 22-18 and an overall record of 68-42, the Storm is competing with Rancho Cucamonga and High Desert for second half supremacy. They have the first two games of the playoffs secured with home field advantage. The last 30 games of the season will determine the second half champion and their overall record.

At the beginning of the week the Storm completed a 3 game series with Visalia, winning 2 of 3. They then swept a 3 game series with Rancho Cucamonga to complete the week. They had a scheduled day off on 8/2.

The roster changes for the week included:

Y. Carvajal to the DL with a strained right calf

P Noah Mull promoted from the AZL Padres

P Erik Davis promoted to AA San Antonio

OF Brad Chalk brought to LE from San Antonio (replace Carvajal)

P Nick Schumacher brought back up from Fort Wayne

P A. Breit promoted to AA San Antonio

For the second half of the season the majority of the starting pitchers have been placed on severe pitch limits. Protecting the pitching arms means more pitchers per game and increased work for the relievers. Relievers Rob Musgrave, Nick Vincent and Brad Brach have shined in this set up.

For the 17^th week of the season RP Nick Vincent pitched 4 innings with 2 hits, 6 strikeouts and an ending ERA of 2.17.

Musgrave had 4.2 IP with 4 hits, 2 ER, 5 SO, 2 BB and an ERA of 1.91.

Brach secured his 35^th and 36^th saves of the season and an ERA of 2.41.

C Robert Lara has been on a surge of late and bears close watching for the rest of the season. Known for his arm behind the plate, Robert has improved his defense and his hitting this season. For the week he was 8/16 with 6R, 3 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO and an ending avg of .310.