Down on the Farm May 8: MacKenzie Gore hit hard in return from injury

The minor league affiliates for the San Diego Padres went 1-3 today.

Here is a recap of today’s minor league action:

El Paso Chihuahuas (18-15) lost 10-6

In a heavy offensive night, the El Paso Chihuahuas were outslugged by the Tacoma Rainers on a night where pitching had little effect on the final outcome of the game. Brett Nicholas hit a solo home run while Franmil Reyes was 2-3 with an RBI double. However, Brett Kennedy gave up four runs in as many innings and the Rainers broke through in the ninth inning by scoring four runs off of Colten Brewer and the Chihuahuas were unable to respond in their half of the inning.

Franmil Reyes: (2-3) 2B, RBI, R, BB

Brett Nicholas: (2-5) HR, 2 RBI, R,

Nick Schulz: (2-3) BB, R

Shane Peterson: (2-4) 2 RBI, SB, E

Brett Kennedy: 4 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 3 K (66 pitches- 38 strikes)

San Antonio Missions (22-10) Won 4-0

This time, the San Antonio Missions didn’t need a walk-off grand slam to win the game. Instead, they took an early lead after a second-inning home run by Michael Gettys and would go on to beat the Corpus Christi Hooks 4-0. The extra runs would come off the bat of Josh Naylor, who has been a real force at the plate for the Missions this season. Naylor would hit a two-run double in the fifth inning and tacked on an RBI single in the seventh. The pitching was also reliable, with former Rule 5 pick Miguel Diaz and four relievers twirling a shutout while racking up nine strikeouts.

Josh Naylor: (2-3) 2B, 3 RBI, BB

Michael Gettys: (2-4) HR, RBI, 2 R, SB

Fernando Tatis Jr. (0-2) R, 2 BB, SB

Rod Boykin: (2-4) 3B, R

Miguel Diaz: 2.2 IP, 3 K, 3 BB, 0 H (60 pitches- 36 strikes)

Lake Elsinore Storm (12-20) lost 6-1

The Lake Elsinore Storm fell behind early, by a lot, as they were pummeled by the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 6-1. The only offense the team could produce was off a sacrifice fly by Taylor Kohlwey that scored Brad Zunica in the bottom of the third inning. Reggie Lawson would allow three runs in five innings of work while striking out seven batters, continuing an excellent run of striking out opposing batters, but he got no help from his offense.

Brad Zunica: (2-3) 2B, 3B, R

Taylor Kohlwey: (0-2) RBI

Luis Torrens: (1-4) H

Edward Olivares: (1-4) K

Reggie Lawson: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, BB, 7 K (93 pitches- 55 strikes)

Fort Wayne TinCaps (14-18) Lost 9-0

In his first start back since being sidelined with a blister, MacKenzie Gore got through the first inning with two strikeouts and it looked like it would be smooth sailing. The second inning, however, proved otherwise as he gave up four runs on four hits with a walk before getting a double play to end the inning. The offense didn’t provide much support as they were shut out and could only put together five hits. It was still Gore’s first actual game action in a month, so it is understandable if he was a bit rusty.

Gabriel Arias: (1-1) H, BB

Justin Lopez: (1-4) H

Jack Suwinski: (1-3) 2B, BB

Tre Carter: (1-3) 2B, BB

MacKenzie Gore: 2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 K, BB (21 pitches)

Wednesday’s Probables

El Paso- TBD

San Antonio is off on Wednesday

Lake Elsinore- TBD

Fort Wayne- Osvaldo Hernandez

Jason Freund

I am currently attending San Diego State University while working on achieving a major in journalism. At SDSU, I write for The Daily Aztec while also hosting the sports radio show “Picked Off”, for KCR Radio. A loyal fan of San Diego sports, I hope to bring content that you will enjoy reading.