Padres Down on the Farm: June 2 (Espinoza goes 3 shutout innings/Abrams returns for SA)
Credit: MiLB
San Diego Padres affiliates were 2-1 on Wednesday. El Paso had a scheduled day off.
Here is a recap of the day’s events.
El Paso Chihuahuas (10-13 on the season)
OFF
San Antonio Missions (Won 9-2 over Springfield) (11-14 on the season)
Reiss Knehr– 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K (87 pitches- 50 strikes)
Juan Fernandez– (2-for-5) HR, 5 RBIs, 2 Runs
Jack Suwinski– (2-for-3) HR, RBI, 2 Runs, BB, K
Kyle Overstreet– (2-for-5) HR, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs, 2 K
CJ Abrams returned to shortstop as the Missions won 9-2 over the Springfield Cardinals. Reiss Knehr started the game for San Antonio, and he went 4.2 innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and three walks. The 24-year-old right-hander owns a 3.94 ERA so far in 2021. Tom Cosgrove relieved Knehr and earned the win throwing 2.1 innings. Carlos Belen recorded the last six outs of the game for the Missions.
San Antonio brought the bats on Wednesday as the team recorded ten hits, including three home runs. Juan Fernandez, Jack Suwinski, and Kyle Overstreet all homered in the win. Fernandez’s homer came in the 8th and was with the bases loaded. Taylor Kohlwey went 2-for-4, and CJ Abrams singled in three at-bats. The Missions did strike out 11 times in the game.
Fort Wayne TinCaps (Won 6-1 over Cedar Rapids) (10-14 on the season)
Anderson Espinoza– 3 IP, 3 K (38 pitches- 23 strikes)
Jonny Homza– (2-for-3) 3B, 3 RBIs, CS
Yorman Rodriguez– (3-for-4) 2B
Ethan Skender– (2-for-3) 2B, Run, RBI, BB, K
The TinCaps prevailed in a rainy game against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Anderson Espinoza started the game and pitched very well. The right-hander went three shutout innings, striking out three batters. The fastball velocity sat comfortably in the mid-’90s, and he hit as high as 98 mph on the radar gun. Espinoza flashed an improved slider as he builds up arm strength. The Padres will take it slow with Espinoza, given his past injury concerns. On Wednesday, Fort Wayne got three excellent appearances from Felix Minjarez, Edwuin Bencomo, and Carter Loewen to lock down the game, but Espinoza was the real story.
Three perfect innings for @paarking tonight.
Here’s his 2nd inning, two strikeouts and a nice defensive play.@TinCaps @Friarsonthefarm @madfriars pic.twitter.com/6vbRY18TaN
— Zach Groth (@Zach_ABC21) June 3, 2021
Offensively, Yorman Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a double, and Jonny Homza continues his hot hitting as the catcher went 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs. Homza is converting to a catcher from his natural infield position. The right-handed batter has a plus swing and is showing a lot of skill behind the plate. Homza could easily continue his progression behind the plate and become a relevant prospect for the Padres.
Lake Elsinore Storm (Lost 5-4 to Stockton) (11-15 on the season)
Nick Thwaits– 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K (82 pitches- 46 strikes)
Matthew Acosta– (1-for-4) HR, Run, RBI
Euribiel Angeles- (2-for-4) 2 Runs, RBI, 2 SB
Robert Hassell III- (2-for-4) 2 SB
Lake Elsinore got a great start from Nick Thwaits on Wednesday. The 21-year-old right-hander allowed one earned run on two hits in the game. Thwaits was drafted in the 15th round of the 2018 draft out of a high school in Ohio. In time, the pitcher could vault himself into a decent prospect for the Padres.
A three-run third inning propelled Lake Elsinore early. Matthew Acosta is a polished hitter, and the outfielder homered on Wednesday for the Storm. The team was unable to hold the lead, though, as the pitching staff fell apart late in the game. A four-run 8th inning off Jose Geraldo and Michell Miliano doomed Lake Elsinore in the end.
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Thursday’s probable pitchers
El Paso- Daniel Camerena (1-1 3.68 ERA)
San Antonio- TBD
Fort Wayne- Ethan Elliott (1-1 1.46 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.