Padres Down on the Farm: May 16 (Abrams homers; Ethan Elliott strikes out 13)

Three of the San Diego Padres’ affiliates won on Sunday as the farm lineups are weaker with the COVID-19 situation amongst the San Diego Padres.

Here is a recap of the day’s events.

El Paso Chihuahuas (Won 6-1) (7-3 on the season)

Gosuke Katoh– 2-for-4, 1 R
Robbie Podorsky– 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR
Nick Ramirez– 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
Evan Miller– 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 K

The El Paso Chihuahuas continue to win after a dominant pitching performance from the staff. While it is often talked about how the Padres are missing some of their key players, it is also important to realize that their replacements were taken from the El Paso roster, so they are short-handed. Seven of the eight starters notched a hit while the pitching staff only allowed one run. Robbie Podorsky, Ben Ruta, and Nick Tanielu all belted a home run.

Robbie Podorsky’s first Triple-A HR is our first at home in 2021!!

Congratulations Robbie!#FearTheEars pic.twitter.com/JvDQ3dHgbD

— El Paso Chihuahuas (@epchihuahuas) May 16, 2021

San Antonio Missions (Won 9-2) (6-6 on the season)

C.J. Abrams- 2-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K
José Azocar- 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 K
Adrian Martinez– 4 IP, 5 H, 1 ER. 6 K, 2 BB
Jose Quezada– 2 IP, 1 H, 3 K

A six-run, 6th inning lifted the Missions to a 9-2 victory of the Midland Rockhounds. Although they were out-hit, the Missions found a way to scrap across a win late. Top-hitting prospect C.J. Abrams will get the headlines with his second home run of the young season. Adrian Martinez started for San Antonio and pitched four innings of one-run ball. Mason Fox, Fred Schlichtholz, Tom Cosgrove, and Jose Quezada followed Martinez from the pen and only surrendered one run.

CJ Abrams Crushing one to RF. Hometown fans weren’t happy pic.twitter.com/pQZGR7dcjV

— パドレスファーム® (@Padres_Farm) May 16, 2021

Fort Wayne TinCaps (Lost 3-0) (4-7 on the season)

Tirso Ornelas– 0-for-3
Luis Almanzar– 1-for-3, 2 K
Ethan Elliott– 6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 13 K
Sam Keating– 1 IP, 3 ER, 3 H

The TinCaps only squandered two hits in 3-0 loss to the Lake County Captains. Ethan Elliott. was outstanding, going six innings and striking out 13 batters. Unfortunately, his superb start was wasted by his offense. Sam Keating surrendered three runs in the seventh, and that is all the Captains needed for the win.

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Lake Elsinore Storm (Won 9-4) (7-5 on the season)

Robert Hassell III- 1-for-3, 1 RBI, 2 BB
Jack Stronach– 1-for-3, 3 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K
Carlos Guarate– 4 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 K
Gabe Morales– 3 IP, 1 H, 5 K, 3 BB

Lake Elsinore used six runs in the 8th inning to propel themselves to 7-5 in their 9-4 win. Jarryd Dale cleared the bases in the 8th inning with a triple to extend the lead to four. Carlos Guarate started for the storm, lasting four innings and surrendering all four of the team’s runs. Gabe Morales followed Guarate out of the pen with three dominant innings. He now boasts a 2.16 ERA on the season. Jason Reynolds closed the door and got the win with two scoreless frames. His 1.04 ERA is even better than Morales.

Heart. Hustle. Confidence. Robert Hassell.

Storm within striking distance:
66ers: 4
👁️👁️: 3 pic.twitter.com/G5ThBxRK34

— Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball (@Storm_Baseball) May 17, 2021

Joshua Mears did not start Sunday after leaving Saturday’s game after getting hit by a pitch, but he did enter the game as a pinch-runner. Robert Hassell III tallied a hit and two walks in the contest. He also stole his fifth bag of the season.

Dominic Stearn

Dominic is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Journalism. He also  is the producer and co-host of the “Padres EVT Podcast.”