Padres Down on the Farm: May 27 (Tucker smashes 2 HR for EP/Rascon leads shutout for FW)
Here is a recap of the day’s events.
El Paso Chihuahuas (Defeated Reno Aces 14-8) (23-27 on the season)
Anderson Espinoza: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 4 BB, K (91 pitches, 54 strikes)
Preston Tucker: (5-for-5), 3 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Matthew Batten: (2-for-4), 3 R, HBP
Taylor Kohlwey: (1-for-3), R, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 BB, SB
Luis Liberato: (2-for-5), 2 R, 2 2B
Jantzen Witte: (3-for-4), 2 R, HR, 3 RBI
Alfonso Rivas: (2-for-5), R, 2B, 2 RBI
In a back-and-forth affair on Saturday at Southwest University Park, El Paso struck first with a trio of first-inning singles—the third of which from Rangel Ravelo went the opposite way to score Matthew Batten. After Reno tied the game in the second, Preston Tucker retook the lead for the Chihuahuas with a solo blast; he would homer again in the eighth inning. Reno would score six combined runs in the fourth and fifth innings to lead 7-2.
El Paso trimmed it to a one-run deficit, however, with four runs in the bottom of the fifth, including a bases-clearing triple by Taylor Kohlwey. The Chihuahuas didn’t stop there, however, and added three more in sixth inning, including a go-ahead two-run single from Alfonso Rivas. The Chihuahuas scored 14 runs on a whopping 16 hits and went 9-for-18 with RISP. The victory marked four in a row for El Paso, tying a season-high.
His 2nd HR of the night caps off a 5-5, 5 RBI night for Preston Tucker!#FearTheEars pic.twitter.com/On5FbXB3L2
— El Paso Chihuahuas (@epchihuahuas) May 28, 2023
San Antonio Missions (Lost to Amarillo Sod Poodles 1-0) (23-21 on the season)
Duncan Snider: 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (83 pitches, 52 strikes)
Ray-Patrick Didder: (1-for-2), 2B, BB
Daniel Johnson: (1-for-3)
Amarillo got on the board first Saturday. After getting a quick ground out, Missions starter Duncan Snider walked Jordan Lawlar (Arizona’s #1 prospect). Lawlar proceeded to steal second base and immediately scored on a single from Juan Centeno. Seth Beer then doubled before Snider was able to get two big outs, limiting the damage. Snider settled down and threw four consecutive scoreless frames.
San Antonio’s offense was stymied, however, failing to score after putting up a mere two hits. They had an opportunity in the third inning following a double from Ray-Patrick Didder but failed to capitalize.
Fort Wayne TinCaps (Defeated Lansing Lugnuts 4-0) (19-25 on the season)
Bodi Rascon: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, K (82 pitches, 57 strikes)
Nathan Martorella: (2-for-4), RBI
Justin Farmer: (0-for-2), R, RBI, SB
Joshua Mears: (1-for-2), RBI
Lucas Dunn: (1-for-3), R, 3B, RBI
Getting quality pitching has been the recipe for success lately for Fort Wayne, and Saturday was no different. Bodi Rascon picked up his first win on of the season after throwing five scoreless innings. The right-hander allowed just three hits, all singles. He was replaced by Nick Thwaits, who was equally effective. Thwaits allowed a triple to Lugnuts designated hitter Jonny Butler in the eighth inning but was able to strand him at third base.
The TinCaps scored a pair of runs in the fifth innings. Following a leadoff walk to Jakob Marsee, who then stole second, Lucas Dunn tripled before scoring on a sac fly from Justin Farmer. Fort Wayne got two more in the eighth, thanks to aggressive baserunning from Farmer. After reaching via error and advancing to second base, Farmer stole third before scoring on a sac fly from Joshua Mears. A few batters later, Nathan Martorella singled in Jackson Merrill a few batters later.
Saturday’s victory marked four straight and 9 of 12 for the TinCaps after having started the season 10-22.
Lake Elsinore Storm (Lost to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 10-6) (23-18 on the season)
Henry Williams: 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB, 3 K (49 pitches, 29 strikes)
Samuel Zavala: (1-for-3), 2 R, 2 BB
Griffin Doersching: (2-for-4), 2B, RBI,
Albert Fabian: (2-for-5), 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI
Anthony Vilar: (0-for-2), R, 3 BB
Henry Williams took the mound Saturday and had a mixed bag of results. The right-hander pitched a career-high three innings, striking out three. He allowed a two-run home run in the first inning to Rayne Doncon before finding his groove. In the fourth inning, Samuel Zavala led off the inning with a walk; he scored two batters later when Albert Fabian doubled to center field. Griffin Doersching followed with a double of his own, his fourth of the series, tying the game.
The bats came alive, however, for Rancho Cucamonga, scoring eight runs off Storm reliever Fernando Sanchez, compounded by two errors by the Lake Elsinore defense. A three-run home run by Thayron Liranzo capped off a seven-run sixth inning for the Quakes. Lake Elsinore scored three runs in the seventh, but it was too little too late.
Sunday’s Probables:
El Paso: Jay Groome (1-4, 8.04 ERA, 45 K)
San Antonio: Efrain Contrares (1-4, 5.40 ERA, 38 K)
Fort Wayne: Victor Lizarraga (0-1, 5.56 ERA, 14 K)
Lake Elsinore: TBD
Al was born in Fresno, California with a passion for talking and writing about sports. The lifelong Padres fan is currently attending Fresno State as he pursues a degree in broadcast journalism. In addition to being a student, he does public address announcing at both the high school and collegiate levels.