My buddy Dan was in town this weekend, and we caught the Elsinore game Saturday night. For the second time this week the Storm scored three runs in the bottom of the first. Both times those were all the runs they scored. Both times I arrived in the second inning.

This time, behind the strong left arm of Oliver Perez (not Eric Cyr, as I’d expected), those runs held up, as the Storm won, 3-1.

Perez looked strong, working his 89-92 MPH fastball on the inner half (topping out at 94 but with less movement) and good breaking ball. He even dropped down a handful of time against lefties. His command was impeccable through the first six innings, and he finished with a nifty 7.2-4-1-1-2-8 line.

Second baseman Jason Moore provided the offense, with a three-run homer. Xavier Nady added a couple hits. Vince Faison finished 0-for-2 but drew two walks, always encouraging. His numbers in the Cal League are up to .230/.305/.397; still not great but at least respectable.

Pix from the game:

• Next up, Vince Faison
• Oliver Perez unleashes a pitch (still working on the digital zoom thing)
• Teddy the pig delivers fresh baseballs to the umpire

Elsewhere, former Pads Joey Hamilton and Quilvio Veras have signed minor-league contracts with the Reds and Red Sox, respectively. Not sure how much they have to offer but they’re both still young enough to do something.

Finally, I’ve posted my Jake Peavy report. Enjoy!