Padres minor league affiliates went 6-2 on Thursday.

With an eight-game slate, let’s waste no more time and get right into it!

El Paso Chihuahuas (Lost 8-1 vs Reno) (33-39 on the season)

Nate Mondou – 2-for-3, Home Run

Mason McCoy – 1-for-4, Single

JP Sears – 4 IP, 8 H, 7 R (6 ER), 0 BB, 4 K (83 pitches – 55 strikes)

Left-hander JP Sears was torched for seven runs in four innings, striking out four. Sears’ outing was not bad at first, as through four innings, the left-hander had allowed just two runs. Sears went back out for the fifth, but any sense of domination he had vanished. Three straight singles opened the fifth, and Luis Urias reached on a fielding error to make the score 4-0. Tyler Locklear then hit a hanging changeup out to right field for a two-run double to chase Sears. Justin Yeager allowed a two-run home run to Jose Fernandez, but otherwise ended the inning with no further scoring. Misael Tamarez was one of three El Paso relievers to throw scoreless relief; Triston McKenzie worked around three baserunners to pitch a scoreless inning, and the freshly-outrighted Ty Adcock pitched a scoreless ninth. At the dish, the Chihuahuas were finally held at bay by a Reno starter. El Paso was held to one run in six innings by Yu-Min Lin, with Nate Mondou’s solo homer accounting for the team’s lone run. Mondou had two hits in the game, finishing with five total bases. Mason McCoy hit a single in four at-bats, and Clay Dungan also singled in four at-bats. Carlos D. Rodriguez’s 22-game hit streak came to an end, as he went 0-for-4 in the loss. 

Let’s get a rally started! With the Chihuahuas trailing Reno in the fifth, Nate Mondou goes yard for the fifth time in 2026. pic.twitter.com/WORAD3JCx6

— El Paso Chihuahuas (@epchihuahuas) June 19, 2026

San Antonio Missions (Won 11-7 vs Corpus Christi) (29-37 on the season)

Romeo Sanabria – 3-for-4, Three-Run Home Run, Four Runs Scored

Luis Verdugo – 2-for-4, Home Run, Three RBI

Jagger Haynes – 5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 4 K (87 pitches – 60 strikes)

San Antonio scored double-digits in their Thursday win over Corpus Christi despite being out-homered in the game. Romeo Sanabria continues to welcome the summer with a hot bat, as he picked up three hits. Sanabria’s biggest swing of the night was a three-run, go-ahead home run against Hooks starter James Hicks. Sanabria stayed back on a slider in the outside third, getting the barrel through the zone to pull the pitch over the visitor’s bullpen. Luis Verdugo hit a two-run home run as part of a three-RBI performance. If you asked a Missions fan for the time zone in Corpus Christi tonight around the first inning, the correct answer would be Tirso Time. Tirso Ornelas hit a two-run home run, clearing the fences for a second straight night. Kai Murphy drove in two runs on a hit and a run-scoring out, finishing 1-for-5. Braedon Karpathios went 1-for-4 with a single, a walk, and a run scored. 

LET’S GO! Romeo hits a 3-run bomb into the Missions bullpen for the lead! ? pic.twitter.com/LpoUH2UgkX

— San Antonio Missions Baseball (@missionsmilb) June 19, 2026

ANOTHA ONE! ☄️

Verdugo hits a 2-run homer to extend the Missions lead! pic.twitter.com/iDBw6UVUs6

— San Antonio Missions Baseball (@missionsmilb) June 19, 2026

Jagger Haynes pitched into the sixth inning, giving his team length after their twin bill on Wednesday. Haynes’ outing would fall into the “mixed bag” category, as he struck out four batters but allowed four home runs. Corpus Christi entered the game with the third-fewest homers in the Texas League, but Hooks batters were barreling up his pitches. It was a stark contrast to Haynes’ season numbers; he had only given up five home runs all season coming into this start. Andrew Moore picked up the final two outs of the sixth, striking out one. Andrew Thurman allowed two RBI singles in the seventh inning, pitching one inning of two-run ball. Omar Cruz pitched the final two innings, entering in a 10-7 game and earning his first save of the season. The Mexican left-hander has a 3.12 ERA in 26 innings with the Missions, striking out 42 to just seven walks. 

Fort Wayne TinCaps – Swept Doubleheader vs South Bend (27-39 on the season)

TinCaps defeat Cubs 4-3 in 8 innings in Game 1

Jack Costello – 1-for-3, Walk-off RBI Single

Jake Cunningham – 1-for-2, Home Run, RBI, Two Walks

Maikel Miralles – 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K (80 pitches – 50 strikes)

In Game 1, Maikel Miralles had one of his best starts of the season. The 21-year old right-hander threw five scoreless innings on 80 pitches. Miralles struck out three, despite walking four batters. The TinCaps’ starting pitcher picked up eight swings and misses and pitched his first scoreless start since April 7. The five innings pitched were Miralles’ longest start since May 13 (also 5 IP vs Cedar Rapids). Tucker Musgrove gave up a two-run single in the sixth, which allowed the Cubs to pull ahead, 2-1. Clay Edmondson threw a scoreless seventh inning, and Ryan Och allowed the automatic runner to score on a wild pitch in the eighth. Och, who was just assigned to Fort Wayne following the end of his rehab assignment window, has a 1.29 ERA in seven innings since joining the TinCaps. 

Zach Evans led off the second inning with his 11th double of the season, and after moving to third base on a groundout, scored on an infield single by Kasen Wells. Wells’ speed came into play on the base hit, as an ‘excuse-me’ grounder down the third base line drew no throw from Cubs infielder Matt Halbach. Wells also swiped his 14th base of the season in the win. Jake Cunningham tied the game in the sixth inning with a 464-foot home run to left-center field, his 15th of the season. Cunningham has undoubtedly excelled in the first half, and it is more a question of when he will see a promotion to Double-A. The eighth inning saw a TinCaps rally, as with Kasen Wells serving as the ghost runner, Rosman Verdugo bunted him over to third base. Lamar King Jr then hit a rocket past third base to score Wells, tying the game. Alex McCoy then singled on a ground ball past a diving Tate Southisene, and Jake Cunningham walked to load the bases. Jack Costello then hit a chopper down the third base line, with all runners on the move. Third baseman Matt Halbach’s shovel pass to home was late, and King Jr scored the winning run. 

Jake Cunningham, that ball had a family!

The @TinCaps right fielder ties up Game 1 of the doubleheader in the bottom of the sixth.

TinCaps 2, Cubs 2, now in extra innings. @EVT_News pic.twitter.com/8B4j47CsM1

— Diego Garcia (@StatNerd_Base) June 18, 2026

PUT IT IN THE BOOKS

Jack Costello plays hero for his second walk-off knock of the season pic.twitter.com/0O3NDUwBIP

— Fort Wayne TinCaps (@TinCaps) June 19, 2026

TinCaps defeat Cubs 5-2 in Game 2

Alex McCoy – 1-for-3, Go-Ahead Two-Run Double

Kavares Tears – 1-for-3, Home Run, RBI

Carson Montgomery – 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 3 K (72 pitches – 46 strikes)

Fort Wayne rode a four-run sixth inning to victory, sweeping the twin bill and ending the first half with a win. Before the rally, Carson Montgomery threw four innings of one-earned-run baseball. Montgomery struck out three batters, allowing just three hits on the evening. One of three hits allowed by Montgomery was a solo home run to Matt Halbach; Halbach, a left-handed batter, was responsible for the sixth home run allowed this season by the TinCaps’ starter. Right-hander Will Varmette threw two scoreless innings, striking out two batters. With his relief outing, Varmette earned the win and has now thrown three straight scoreless outings. Javier Chacon struck out two of three batters faced in the ninth, earning his first High-A save (and his first save overall since June 23, 2024). Kavares Tears launched his fifth home run of the month in the second inning, putting the TinCaps ahead 1-0. The Padres’ 2024 compensatory fourth-rounder has an OPS over 1.000 at 1.171 in 35 at-bats in June. Though Tears’ home run was the only run scored by the TinCaps against South Bend starter Jostin Florentino, the statement did not extend to the Cubs bullpen. Kasen Wells and Justin DeCriscio worked walks to open the sixth inning, and Rosman Verdugo was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With one out, Alex McCoy lined a seeing-eye base hit into right field, past the dive of first baseman Drew Bowser. Wells and DeCriscio scored, and the TinCaps now led 3-2. Jake Cunningham lined a single to center field, scoring McCoy and Verdugo. Fort Wayne went 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position, but the two hits were ultimately the keys to the win. 

KT stays hot ?? pic.twitter.com/vqX9MTvEem

— Fort Wayne TinCaps (@TinCaps) June 19, 2026

The Breakfast Club comes up big in the clutch ?

Alex McCoy and Jake Cunningham put us in front pic.twitter.com/e5twGxlQbZ

— Fort Wayne TinCaps (@TinCaps) June 19, 2026

Lake Elsinore Storm (Won 7-1 vs San Jose) (39-27 on the season)

Kerrington Cross – 3-for-5, Double, Two RBI

Qrey Lott – 3-for-4, Three Singles, Two Runs Scored

Bryan Balzer – 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K (65 pitches – 40 strikes)

The Storm took a 5-1 lead after three and rode their pitching staff the rest of the way for a stress-free 7-1 win in San Jose. Kerrington Cross continued to hit, as the former Cincinnati Bearcat went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Qrey Lott had three singles in the win, scoring two runs. Lott has been an under-the-radar standout for the Storm since arriving on the team, and he is poised for a regular role in the second half. Dawson Willis scored two runs, finishing 1-for-4 with a single and a walk. Jorge Quintana drove in two runs on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single, also stealing his ninth base of the season. Yoiber Ocopio hit a two-run single in the fifth inning, his lone hit of the game. Yimy Tovar went 1-for-3 with an RBI single from the nine-spot, scoring a run. 

Bryan Balzer threw five innings on 65 pitches, allowing just one run. The 21-year old right-hander struck out just two, picking up five outs on the ground. The right-hander has surpassed his previous career-high in innings through the first half, so it is possible the Storm elected to shorten his start on Thursday for load management, especially with a well-rested bullpen. Rordy Mejia struck out three in two innings of relief, allowing no runs. Cal Riehl threw a scoreless inning in the eighth with one strikeout, and fireballer Sean Barnett struck out two in a scoreless ninth. Barnett has allowed two earned runs since May 14, pitching 13.2 innings with 20 strikeouts against 12 walks. 

ACL Padres (Won 3-2 vs ACL Royals) (19-15 on the season)

Cardell Thibodeaux – 1-for-1, Double, RBI, Two Walks

Santiago Contreras – 1-for-4, Single, Run Scored

Kannon Kemp – 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K 

Right-hander Kannon Kemp was assigned to the ACL as he rehabs from an oblique injury, and in his first game action since Spring Breakout, he pitched one inning. Kemp allowed an inside-the-park home run but struck out one batter as well. Kemp’s ramp-up will likely require the full 30-day window, depending on the role the Padres want him to be in. Zack Qin threw two scoreless innings with four strikeouts, one of five relievers used by the Padres. Jeronimo Palmeros threw 2.2 innings of scoreless baseball as well, picking up four of eight outs with ground balls. Landry Jurecka struck out three of four batters faced in 1.1 innings of relief, earning the win. Florangel Vasquez pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and Yoesmerli Beltre struck out two in the ninth to earn the save. Cardell Thibodeaux doubled and drove in one of the three Padres runs. Thibodeaux also drew two walks in the game and is likely headed to Lake Elsinore for the second half, with roster moves soon to come. Santiago Contreras hit a single and scored a run in the game, scoring on a wild pitch. Jhoan De La Cruz drew a walk, which became a run-scoring play when a wild pitch got away from Royals catcher Jesus Morales, allowing Thibodeaux to score. Luis De Leon drew two walks in the win. 

DSL Padres Gold (Won 10-9 vs DSL LAD Bautista) (11-2 on the season)

Joniel Hernandez – 2-for-4, Triple, Two RBI, Three Runs Scored

Timothy Mogen – 2-for-2, Two Singles, RBI, Two Walks

Yunny Tovar – 3 IP, 6 H, 6 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 3 K

The Padres Gold rode a seven-inning outburst over the first two innings to win 10-9 vs one of two Dodgers affiliates. Joniel Hernandez drove in two runs in the game, hitting a two-run triple in the first inning. Dayquer Alfonzo singled in a run, and a bunt by Angel Mejia scored Alfonzo. Timothy Mogen scored a run on a groundout by Yorvin Morla. Ricardo De La Paz walked three times, with one walk driving in a run. Sebastian Pena hit two singles, and Darian Castillo scored three runs. Yunny Tovar threw three innings, striking out three. Tovar was charged with six runs, four earned, in his start, picking up five runs on the ground. Guillermo Romero allowed three runs in 2.1 innings of relief, fanning two. Albieris Polanco earned the win with 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out three. 

DSL Padres Brown (Lost 17-10 vs DSL LAD Mega) (4-9 on the season)

Yonaiker Hernandez – 2-for-5, Two Doubles, Four RBI

Ronnier Heras – 2-for-5, Double, Two RBI

Rafael Torres – 2 IP, 4 H, 5 R (3 ER), 4 BB, 5 K

The Padres Brown’s pitching staff was hit hard by the DSL LAD Mega, allowing a season-high 17 runs. The Padres Brown issued 15 walks, with starter Rafael Torres walking four. Torres struck out five in two innings but allowed five runs. Luis Morales allowed three runs in 1.1 innings, and Ariel Dilone allowed six runs on five walks in 2.1 innings. Gensy Aquino allowed three runs (two earned) in 1.1 innings, and Yohn Melendez pitched two scoreless innings. Yonaiker Hernandez drove in four runs on two doubles, scoring one run. Ronnier Heras drove in two runs, and Luis Rodriguez stole two bases. Sebastian Maldonado drove in two runs on a double as part of a six-run ninth inning. Osmy Osorio walked three times in the game, scoring two runs.

Diego Garcia

A born and raised San Diegan, Diego Garcia is a lifetime Padres fan and self-proclaimed baseball nerd. Diego wrote about baseball on his own site between 2021-22 before joining the East Village Times team in 2024. He also posts baseball content on his YouTube channel “Stat Nerd Baseball”, creating content around trades, hypotheticals, player analyses, the San Diego Padres, and MLB as a whole.

A 2024 graduate of San Diego State, Diego aims to grow as a writer and content creator in the baseball community.