Omaha Runs Out of Pitchers as El Paso Keeps Hitting
EVT Sports Reporting from El Paso, Texas
It’s be an eventful few days for the El Paso Chihuahuas.
Following their series opening loss, Chihuahua bats came alive on Saturday with Ryan Schimpf hitting two home runs, and Nick Schulz hitting one. Both of them made it two days in a row with home runs, and Collin Cowgill also hit his fifth home run of his injury-shortened season. The Chihuahuas would go on to win that game 12-6, but they fell 6-5 the following day in an extra-inning thriller that featured a home run from the recently demoted Franchy Cordero.
In another roster move, the Padres made a somewhat surprising one by calling up Dusty Coleman. The El Paso fan favorite has a good glove, but even with San Diego’s injuries at short, it was expected that Coleman’s .209 average would preclude him from being option. However, Jose Rondon is also injured and Coleman has started 70 of the Chihuahua’s 100 games at short, so it’s understandable that he would be the guy chosen.
Monday’s game feature Dillon Overton starting for El Paso and Miguel Almonte going for Omaha. The game was another high-scoring affair, with both teams scoring a run in each of the first two innings. The Chihuahuas would go on to score in each of the first four innings, including a five-run fourth inning in which they hit three singles and collected four walks, including two with the bases loaded.
Omaha answered in the top of the 5th after Overton walked two, then allowed an RBI single to Ryan O’Hearn. Frank Schwindel hit his second home run of the day and seventh home run in his last nine games.
Things got wild in the 7th when Omaha sent back-up catcher Brayan Pena in to pitch. He wound up giving up a single to Peter Van Gansen, and walking 4 others. He did manage to strike out Franchy Cordero, who had base hits in his first three at bats before striking out in the 5th. Second baseman, Dean Anna, relieved Pena with one out in the 7th and retired the next two hitters, throwing batting practice-style with no wind-up.
Cordero got his second chance at a position player in the 8th with Anna still pitching. Collin Cowgill doubled and Rocky Gale was hit by a pitch before Van Gansen and Travis Jankowski were retired. Then Chase d’Arnaud doubled, bringing up Cordero. Although Anna was mixing speeds throughout his appearance, going as low as 53 MPH and up to the 70’s, Cordero was able to take him deep, making the score 14-6 and giving Cordero a 4-for-6 day.
Whether it was because his bullpen was depleted or some other reason, Omaha manager Brian Poldberg threw this game away. The same two position players pitched on the 20th, so it’s clear Omaha has taken tanking to a new level. Interesting, because there won’t be any draft picks associated with last place.
Chihuahua Notes:
- Cory Mazzoni appeared in his first Triple-A game of the year after an extended stay on the disabled list.
- Nick Schulz had no noticeable limp when he left the stadium today. He was limping on Sunday.
- Dusty Coleman was hitless in his 2017 MLB debut. He has yet to collect his first major league hit after going 0-for-5 for Kansas City in 2015.
I’m Eric. I’m a lifetime baseball fan, recreational fantasy baseball player and serious baseball collector. Unlike most of the team, it’s my love of collecting that got me into prospecting. I just moved to El Paso, home of the San Diego Padres Triple-A club, the El Paso Chihuahuas. I was able to watch a few Padres prospects in the Arizona Fall League this November. Beyond that I hadn’t seen Padres minor league baseball since 2007. The San Antonio Missions had just become affiliated with the Padres and the team was named the Baseball America Minor League Team of the Year. They had guys like Will Venable, Chase Headley, Wade LeBlanc, Dirk Hayhurst, Nick Hundley, and the everlasting Chad Huffman. I say “everlasting” because Huffman is still in the minors battling for a job and will attend spring training with the Cardinals this year.
I’m in the Army which is what brought me to El Paso. I’m originally from Texas and at heart I’m a Reds fan, but my situation makes it much more sensible for me to cover the Padres. I have a girlfriend, two cats and about a million baseball cards and books. Moving to a city with a AAA baseball team is very exciting and I plan on attending several games throughout the season. I’m on Twitter at @USKillian.