Down on The Farm: Two Playoff Victories
Credit: El Paso Chihuahuas
San Antonio Missions: 9-0 Win @Midland
Joey Lucchesi threw seven scoreless innings, and Fernando Tatis Jr. had three hits, as the Missions beat the Midland Rockhounds 9-0 on Friday night. San Antonio will look to be the first team since 2013 to eliminate the A’s affiliate in the playoffs, as Midland has won three consecutive Texas League championships.
Notable Performers
Joey Lucchesi (7.0IP, 6H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 5K)
The left-hander got himself into most of his trouble early on, as he gave up five of the six hits he allowed in the first three innings. He was aided by a double play ball, a pickoff, and a caught stealing in each respective inning to get out unscathed. He also loaded the bases with one out in the fifth, but escaped by inducing a strikeout and a popout. Even though tonight’s start was in no way “dominant” for the 24-year-old, he did what he has done all season long: change speeds, deceive opposing hitters, and get out of trouble when he needs to.
Fernando Tatis Jr. (3-4, R, RBI)
Tatis Jr. went 3-4 with three singles tonight for San Antonio, and added a sac fly to boot. He continues to adjust to Double-A pitching and there’s a ***chance*** he could bypass Lake Elsinore altogether and start next season in San Antonio.
Fernando Tatis with a nice line drive to right field, capping a 3-4 night at the plate. #Padres pic.twitter.com/1st4XBWoMI
— James E. Clark 3 (@EVT_JClark) September 9, 2017
RF Franmil Reyes (2-5, 2R, HR, 2B, 3RBI)
Reyes hit his 26th home run on the year tonight, drove in three runs, and added a double to boot. Although he is not a top guy in the system by any means, Franmil does command some respect for how he has performed this year. Eric Longenhagen had some positive stuff to say about him recently.
Franmil Reyes demolished a pitch to dead center. 6-0 @missionsmilb in the top of 5th. #Padres pic.twitter.com/2iM0U0MFpc
— James E. Clark 3 (@EVT_JClark) September 9, 2017
SS Javier Guerra (2-5, 3B, 2RBI, R, 1SO)
Javier Guerra made a ridiculous play last night (you can see it below), and tonight he had two hits. By no means have the Padres given up on him, and his defense at shortstop is probably most of the reason why. It is just so good. As people have said time and time again, if he can figure it out just a bit at the plate, he has a chance. He performed on both sides of the field tonight.
Javier Guerra makes Jeter-esque throw to gun down Max Schrock in game 2!! #NeverSurrender pic.twitter.com/IgAWV9wyab
— San Antonio Missions Baseball (@missionsmilb) September 8, 2017
CF Michael Gettys (1-1, 2B)
Gettys is basically on San Antonio right now to be a late-game defensive replacement, but he did get his first AA hit tonight, a double in the top of the ninth.
El Paso Chihuahuas: 7-6 Win vs Reno
The Chihuahuas are advancing to their second straight PCL Championship series, as they completed the sweep of Reno tonight by the score of 7-6. Reno took command of the game early, scoring single runs in the first, second, third, and fifth innings. They were up 4-2 until the bottom of the seventh, when Tony Cruz hit a two-run double to tie the game. El Paso then took the lead an inning later on a Hunter Renfroe RBI double. Diego Goris added an RBI single later on in the inning, and then Reno booted the ball around a little bit to add one more insurance run. El Paso ended up needing that extra run, as Reno’s Christian Walker hit a two-run home run in the top of the 9th to cut the deficit to one. It was too little too late, though. El Paso has eyes on a repeat.
Notable Performers:
1B Diego Goris (2-4, 2R, RBI, 2SO)
C Tony Cruz (2-4, HR, 2B, 4RBI, R, SO)
RF Hunter Renfroe (1-4, 2B, RBI, R)
Baseball is fun. College sophomore that is aspiring to work someday in the sports industry. Follow me on twitter @Friar_Faithful. Go Pads!