Padres Down on the Farm: August 27 (Espada 10 K’s, Ruiz homers for FW/Mears homers for SA/Liberato 4 RBIs for EP)
Credit: MiLB
The San Diego Padres affiliates went 1-3 on Saturday.
Here is a recap of the day’s events.
El Paso Chihuahuas (Lost 9-8) (66-55 overall)
Reiss Knehr– 3 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (65 pitches- 40 strikes)
Luis Liberato– (2-for-4) HR, 4 RBIs, 2 Runs, BB, 2 K
Michelle Baez- 1 IP, 2 BB, 3 K (27 pitches- 12 strikes)
C.J. Hinojosa– (2-for-4) RBI, BB, K
The Chihuahuas lost a close game to the Dodgers in Oklahoma City. El Paso rallied for three runs in the month but was unable to push across the tying run on the road. Reiss Knehr started the game and went three innings, allowing four earned runs. Luke Westphal was charged with the loss on the night as he allowed two earned runs and only got one out in the game. Carlos Belen coughed up three runs in two-thirds of an inning and was charged with a blown save.
Offensively, El Paso recorded eight hits and six walks in the game. C.J. Hinojosa and Luis Liberato each earned two hits in the game. Liberato slugged his 18th homer in the fifth inning. Matt Batten went 0-for-5 with a strikeout in the loss.
San Antonio Missions (Lost 5-4) (62-55 on the season)
Joshua Mears- (1-for-3) HR, Run, 2 RBIs, BB, K
Juan Fernandez– (2-for-4) RBI, K
Tirso Ornelas– (1-for-5) 2B, Run, RBI, K
Ben Krauth– 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K (85 pitches- 53 strikes)
The RockHounds got five runs in the first three innings and held on for the win against San Antonio. Left-handed pitcher Ben Krauth started the game and went five innings, allowing five runs, three of which were earned. Mason Fox and Moises Lugo both threw two scoreless innings in relief.
Josh Mears homered and drove in two runs for the Missions. The powerful right-handed hitter is being thrown into Double-A action despite struggling at the lower levels. There is plenty to like with the power, but he continues to struggle to make contact. Torso Ornelas doubled and went 1-for-5 in the game for San Antonio.
Fort Wayne TinCaps (Win 8-0) (47-71 on the season)
Agustin Ruiz– (3-for-5) HR, 3 Runs, 3 RBIs, SB, 2 Ks
Lucas Dunn– (0-for-2) 4 BB, Run
Cole Cummings– (1-for-4) 2B, 2 Runs, BB, 2 Ks
Jose Espada– 6 IP, H, 3 BB, 10 K (88 pitches- 55 strikes)
The TinCpas got a great pitching performance from Joe Espada as the 25-year-old right-handed pitcher went six strong innings, striking out ten batters. Espada throws a nasty slider that the Loons could not handle. Espada has a long way to go before he is capable of throwing at the major leagues, but is someone to monitor. Nick Thwaits earned a save as the 23-year-old recorded the last nine outs of the game.
Agustin Ruiz had a great night at the plate as he went 3-for-5 with his 6th homer of the season. Ruiz owns a .725 OPS this year in Fort Wayne. Cole Cummings doubled and scored two runs in the win. Lucas Dunn walked four times for the TinCaps and scored a run. Fort Wayne walked 11 times in the game as the Great Lakes pitching staff was wild on the night.
Lake Elsinore Storm (Lost 9-1) (67-52 on the season)
Jackson Merrill– (1-for-4) SB
Matt Boswell– 2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (57 pitches- 32 strikes)
Juan Zabala– (1-for-4) RBI, K
Nathan Martorella– (1-for-4) 2 K
The pitching staff for the Storm got knocked around on Saturday in Inland Empire. Lake Elsinore lost 9-1 as 66ers recorded 13 hits and nine runs on the night. Matt Boswell started the game for Lake Elsinore, and he surrendered three earned runs in two innings of work. Danny Denz, Yerry Landinez, and Alexuan Vega all threw two innings, and each pitcher allowed two runs to score.
Jackson Merrill is the Padres’ top prospect, and the infielder went 1-for-4 in the loss with a stolen base. Juan Zabala drove in a run, and Humberto Quintero tripled in the game for the Storm.
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Sunday’s Probable pitchers
El Paso- TBD
San Antonio- TBD
Fort Wayne- Garrett Hawkins (0-0 15.00 ERA)
Lake Elsinore- TBD
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.