Padres Down on the Farm: June 2 (DSL season kicks off)
Credit: DSL
Padres stateside affiliates had days off on Monday, but the Padres’ Dominican Summer League teams opened their seasons, going 2-0 in regular season action.
Here is a recap of the games’ events, along with footnotes for the Padres affiliates on off days.
El Paso Chihuahuas – Off Day
El Paso opens up a six game series at home vs Albuquerque on Tuesday. The team will likely make a roster move prior to the game, as the Padres (MLB) will likely recall right-hander Ryan Bergert to start against San Francisco on Tuesday (per Kevin Acee).
Ryan Bergert is in San Francisco and will be on the “taxi squad” today.
He is expected to start for the Padres on Tuesday night against the Giants.
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) June 2, 2025
San Antonio Missions – Off Day
San Antonio opens a six game series at home vs Midland on Tuesday.
Fort Wayne TinCaps – Off Day
The TinCaps hit the road for a six game series against the Beloit Sky Carp (Marlins affiliate). Ian Koenig is likely to start the first game of the series.
Lake Elsinore Storm – Off Day
Lake Elsinore takes a road trip to the Central Valley, as the Storm will make the trip to Modesto for a six-game series against the Nuts. It will be a California League finals rematch, as the two teams faced off for the California League championship last September.
In other Storm news, right-hander Will Varmette was named as the California League Pitcher of the Week after his six shutout innings on May 27.
#Brewers No. 9 prospect Luis Peña collected seven hits in 17 at-bats, including two homers and a triple for @CarolinaMudcats!
?: https://t.co/2wNwyyuE8S pic.twitter.com/Bt0PNeAc3x
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 2, 2025
ACL Padres – Off Day
The ACL Padres return to play on Tuesday against the ACL Guardians.
DSL Padres Gold (Won 9-8 vs DSL CLE Mendoza) (1-0 on the season)
Kevin Tamburini – 1-for-3, Two-RBI Triple
Moises Valdez – 1-for-6, Walk-off RBI Single
Rordy Mejia – 4.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 3 K
The Padres Gold walked off their season opener with a mad three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning. Rordy Mejia took the ball for the Padres Gold, and the 20-year old right-hander allowed nine hits and five runs in 4.1 innings, striking out three. Mejia posted a 5.66 ERA and 1.45 WHIP last season, and is looking to build upon his performance with the Padres Gold in 2025. Right-hander Edwyn Hernandez tossed 2.1 scoreless innings, and reliever Angel Sanchez allowed an unearned run in 1.2 innings, earning the win.
The team’s offense delivered when they needed to, drawing a whopping 13 walks. Isaac Ponce went 2-for-5 with two singles and an RBI. First baseman Kevin Tamburini had one base hit, a triple that drove in two runs. Eduarlin Tejada had a double as part of a two-hit day, scoring two runs. Alexander Garcia walked twice, with one of those coming with the bases loaded. Jhoan De La Cruz, one of San Diego’s top 2025 international signees, drew three walks and drove in a run. Moises Valdez stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, and grounded a single to right field to win the game for the Padres Gold.
DSL Padres Brown (Won 5-4 in 8 innings vs DSL Athletics) (1-0 on the season)
Jose Verdugo – 1-for-1, Two Sac Flies
Andres Garza – 2-for-4, Two Singles
Oliver Franco – 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 6 K
The DSL Padres Brown saw a plethora of pro debuts in the game, rallying in extra innings to win 5-4. Oliver Franco made his first career start, tossing 3.2 innings and allowing three runs. Franco struck out six batters in the game while walking none, making a strong first impression regarding his command. Southpaw Victor PIlar struck out two in 2.1 innings of work, and Kelvin Marte struck out two in an inning of work, becoming the pitcher of record.
Jose Verdugo drove in the go-ahead run in the tenth inning on a sacrifice fly. The Sinaloa native drove in two runs on two sacrifice flies in the game. Darian Castillo was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in a run, and Jose Bericoto hit a sacrifice fly of his own to score another run. First baseman Juan Martinez was 1-for-4 with a run scored, and Endy Rios reached base twice while seeing time at second base, right field, and center field.
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.