SS Xavier Edwards of Tri-City (Photo: Judy Simpson)
Thursday was a night of big performances, as El Paso’s top prospects both had big nights at the plate. Tucupita Marcano continues his rise and excellent outings from Osvaldo Hernandez and Joey Cantillo headlined the pitching performances.
Chihuahuas 3, Las Vegas 51’s
Key Statistics: 3B Luis Urias, 3-for-4, 2 R, 2B, 3B; C Francisco Mejia, 3-for-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI; LF Shane Peterson, 1-for-4, RBI; RHP Walker Lockett (W, 5-9) 7 IP, 6 H, ER, 3 BB, 6 K; RHP Rowan Wick (S, 6) IP, H, ER.
Prospect Watch: Ben Davey made the pilgrimage to El Paso to check out the Chihuahuas. Read his game story here.
The Missions game was cancelled due to rain. The game will be not be made up, as the Missions will not play the Springfield Cardinals again. Ironically, the Missions are moving to Triple-A next year and are slated to play the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cardinals on opening night.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 9, Storm 1
Key Statistics: LF Nate Easley, 3-for-4, 2B; C Luis Torrens, 1-for-4, 2B; 3B Ruddy Giron, 2-for-4, R, 2B; DH Michael Cantu, 2-for-3, RBI; RHP Pedro Avila (L, 7-8) 4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K; RHP Caleb Boushley, 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 K.
Prospect Watch: The Storm had a rough night, allowing four homers in a loss to Rancho Cucamonga. … LF Nate Easley doubled and singled twice as part of a three-hit night. Easley has quietly been one of the most consistent Storm hitters this year, especially after the promotion of Buddy Reed. Easley is hitting .306/.356/.471 since the all-star break. Easley’s performance has resulted in his overall hitting line being slightly above-average for the Cal League. … RHP Pedro Avila took the loss and gave up four runs in four innings, despite notching seven strikeouts. Avila has excellent stuff but his walk rate has increased considerably this season and he is giving up much more hard contact in his second go-around in the Cal League.
TinCaps 5, South Bend Cubs 1 (7 innings)
Key Statistics: 2B Esteury Ruiz, 1-for-2, 2 R, HR (12), RBI, BB, SB (41); SS Gabriel Arias, 1-for-3, 2B, RBI; C Juan Fernandez, 1-for-3, R, 2B; LF Hunter Jarmon, 1-for-1, 2B, 2 RBI; LHP Osvaldo Hernandez (W, 11-4) 5 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 BB, 4 K; LHP Dan Dallas, 2 IP, 3 K.
Prospect Watch: The TinCaps were scheduled to play two, but rain prevented them from getting the second game in. They will attempt to play a doubleheader Friday. … Second baseman Esteury Ruiz homered and stole a base in the Fort Wayne victory. Ruiz has put together a modest four-game hitting streak to break out of a 2-for-20 stretch. The second baseman has tantalizing power and speed from the second base position, although he has been highly prone to strikeouts. However, it is easy to see why the Padres and outside evaluators are intrigued by his talent. He doesn’t turn 20 until February. … LHP Osvaldo Hernandez won his 11th game of the year, despite having shaky control. The southpaw walked three — the most he’s allowed an outing since May 15. However, Hernandez was able to pitch around the damage and allowed just one earned run in five innings of work. His 1.81 ERA still leads the Midwest League. … LHP Dan Dallas made his Fort Wayne debut and struck out three batters in two hitless innings. The former seventh-rounder has 48 punchouts in 28.2 innings between Tri-City and Fort Wayne this season.
Dust Devils 6, Vancouver Canadians 0
Key Statistics: SS Xavier Edwards, 2-for-4, R, BB, SB (5); CF Grant Little, 1-for-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI; 2B Tucupita Marcano, 3-for-4, 3 R, HR (1), RBI, SB (2); LHP Omar Cruz, 4 IP, H, 4 BB, 5 K; RHP Spencer Kulman (W, 1-0) 2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, K; RHP Nick Kuzia (S, 3) 3 IP, H, 3 K.
Prospect Watch: The Dust Devils cruised to a road win in a day game in Canada. … Hot-hitting infielder Tucupita Marcano had three hits and also connected on his first professional homer. The 18-year-old has continued to rake since being bumped up a level. Marcano is hitting .382/.400/.529 with Tri-City with just two strikeouts in 35 plate appearances. … Shortstop Xavier Edwards had his first multi-hit game as a Dust Devil and he also stole his fifth base since joining the squad. Edwards is hitting just .192 in a small sample in Pasco, but he’s drawn ten walks in eight games to keep his OBP in .400. His elite speed and fielding ability make him one to watch. If you are a subscriber, John Conniff got a chance to talk to Edwards about his decision to turn pro. … LHP Omar Cruz threw four shutout innings in the Tri-City win. The 19-year-old from Hermosillo, Mexico, has an 0.42 ERA in five starts for Tri-City, although he has walked nine batters in his last 7.2 innings. Prior to his last two outings, he hadn’t walked more than two in any outing.
AZL Padres-1 10, AZL Mariners 8
Key Statistics: 3B Luis Almanzar, 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI; DH Nick Gatewood, 4-for-5, 2 R, RBI; 2B Lee Solomon, 2-for-5, 2 R, HR (6), 2 RBI; RF-CF Agustin Ruiz, 3-for-3, 2 R, 2B, 2 3B, 2 RBI, 2 BB; RHP Nick Thwaits, 2.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K; RHP Dalton Erb (W, 3-2) 3.2 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K; RHP Starlin Cordero (S, 3) 1.1 IP, 2 BB, 3 K.
AZL Brewers 2, AZL Padres-2 0
Key Statistics: SS Jordy Barley, 1-for-4; 2B Sean Guilbe, 1-for-3, BB; C Alison Quintero, 2-for-3, BB; LHP Joey Cantillo, 6 IP, H, 6 K; LHP Tyler Mortensen (L, 2-2) 2 IP, 2 R, BB, K.
Prospect Watch: The two AZL teams split a pair, with the AZL-1 team winning in an offensive battle, while the AZL-2 squad lost, despite giving up just one hit. … Luis Almanzar had a pair of hits at the plate and he drove in a run. Almanzar was sent to the desert last week after struggling in Fort Wayne. The 18-year-old is hitting just .227/.280/.227 in a small sample in the AZL. … Outfielder Agustin Ruiz had a perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-3, with a double, two triples and a pair of walks. The 18-year-old outfielder has been solid in his second stint in the AZL, hitting .272/.370/.430 this year. … DH Nick Gatewood singled four times to raise his average to .285. … LHP Joey Cantillo continues to be one of the biggest breakout stars in the system in 2018. The lefty threw six shutout innings and allowed just one hit, without a walk. Cantillo has not allowed a run in his last three starts, spanning 15 innings. Overall, the former 16th-rounder has a 1.70 ERA in 42.1 innings this season.
