Padres Down on the Farm: May 14 (Mears homers in LE/Podorsky 3 hits in EP)
Credit: Tacoma News
San Diego Padres affiliates were 1-3 on Friday.
Here is a recap of the day’s events.
El Paso Chihuahuas (Won 6-3 over Isotopes) (5-3 on the season)
Brett Kennedy– 5 IP, 5 H, 1 Run, BB, K (76 pitches/47 strikes)
Luis Campusano– (2-for-4) 2 2b, RBI, K
Robbie Podorsky– (3-for-4) Run, RBI, 2 K, 2 SB
Ben Ruta– (1-for-3) 2B, Run, RBI, BB
A four-run second inning propelled the Chihuahuas to a 6-3 win over the Alburquerque Isotopes. Recently promoted Robbie Podorsky singled to cap off the inning for El Paso. Podorsky went 3-for-4 on the night with two stolen bases, a run scored, and an RBI. Podorsky is playing outfield because the Padres had some COVID-19 issues and summoned a few outfielders from Double-A. If he continues to play well, there is no reason to send him back. The speedy outfielder is exciting to watch and could be a real fan favorite with the Padres. Luis Campusano doubled twice in the win and has recorded a .857 OPS so far this season. El Paso made the most of their eight hits recorded on the night. Brett Kennedy made a start and went five innings, allowing one run on five hits. Evan Miller, Parker Markel, and Jordan Guerrero followed Kennedy out of the pen, and Aaron Northcraft closed out the game earning his first save of the year.
Luis Campusano with the standup RBI double to center! @MLBPipeline pic.twitter.com/h83BBOLf2F
— El Paso Chihuahuas (@epchihuahuas) May 15, 2021
San Antonio Missions (Lost 6-4 to Midland) (4-6 on the season)
Aaron Leasher– 2.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (64 pitches-35 strikes)
Kyle Overstreet– (3-for-4) 2B, Run
Brad Zunica– (2-or-4) 2B, K
CJ Abrams– (1-or-4) K
The Missions losing streak is now at four games after a loss in Midland against the Rockhounds. Aaron Leasher gave up three runs (two earned) in the first two innings, which was enough for San Antonio. There is a lot to like about Leasher, who is a left-handed pitcher with mid-rotation upside. The 25-year-old will look to build upon this start next time out. Jerry Keel relieved Leasher on Friday and went 4.1 innings, striking out four batters and allowing five hits and two runs. Kyle Overstreet played third base and went 3-for-4 with a double and a run. Brad Zunica doubled in the loss and went 2-for-4. The Padres top-hitting prospect, CJ Abrams, went 1-for-4 and is hitting .275 with a .795 OPS.
Fort Wayne TinCaps (Lost 8-2 to Lake County) (3-6 on the season)
Moises Lugo– 4 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 3 K (59 pitches-42 strikes)
Felix Minjarez– 2 IP, 1 H, 3 ER, 6 BB, 2 K (52 pitches- 23 strikes)
Jonny Homza– (1-for-3) HR, 2 RBI, Run, BB
Luis Almanzar– (2-for-3) 2B, K
Fort Wayne held a 2-1 lead after four innings, but Lake County put up one run in the fifth to force a tie and then exploded late off the TinCaps’ bullpen in route to an 8-2 win. 22-year-old Moises Lugo started the game and only allowed one run in four innings of work. The right-handed pitcher was signed in 2017 as an international free agent. Felix Minjarez was wild on Friday as the right-handed pitcher issued six free passes in his two innings of work. He was charged with the loss in the game and is now 1-2 on the year. Catcher Jonny Homza homered in the game, and Luis Almanzar went 2-for-3, and that was it. The offense totaled three hits in the game and struck out 11 times in the game.
Lake Elsinore Storm (Lost 7-2 to Inland Empire) (6-4 on the season)
Jesus Lugo– 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K (60 pitches- 42 strikes)
Joshua Mears– (1-for-3) HR, RBI, Run, BB, K
Robert Hassell III- (1-for-4) RBI, 3 K
Brandon Valenzuela– (1-for-3) BB, K
Joshua Mears’ first home run as a member of the Storm was an absolute BLAST off the video board.#TheTerminator pic.twitter.com/liHqTI8LCg
— Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball (@Storm_Baseball) May 15, 2021
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The Lake Elsinore Storm are having a hard time with the 66ers as they lost again on Friday by a score of 7-2. Four errors by Lake Elsinore did not help, but the offense simply did not have it on the night. The offense struck out 13 times in the game and only managed five hits. Joshua Mears slugged his first homer of the season on Friday in the second inning. The tall right-hander also made two errors on the field. Mears is very raw with the bat and with the glove. There is a lot of upside, but it may take time for him to find his stride. Robert Hassell III is honestly the polar opposite. He shows great natural skill and pitch recognition that should advance the 19-year-old through the system fairly quickly. Hassell went 1-for4 in the game on Friday and owns a 1.041 OPS so far this season. Jesus Lugo is an interesting prospect to monitor. The right-handed pitcher is 23 and is showing a decent arm.
Saturday’s probable pitchers
El Paso- Jesse Scholtens (1-0 1.84 ERA)
San Antonio- Reiss Knehr (1-0 7.00 ERA)
Fort Wayne- TBD
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.