Josh Naylor unloads for El Paso. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Chihuahuas 12, Reno Aces 4
Key Stats: LF Josh Naylor 2-for-5, HR (2), BB; C Austin Allen 2-for-3, 2B, HR (1), 2BB; RF Jose Pirela 2-for-3, 2B, HR (2), BB, SF; SS Seth Mejias-Brean 3-for-6; LHP Jerry Keel 5IP, 5H, 1ER, 3K, 6BB
Prospect Watch: El Paso used a seven-run, 13-batter fourth inning to pound out a victory in Reno. Austin Allen launched his first homer of the season and added a double as he reached base four times on the day. The big left-handed hitting catcher’s wRC+ of 130 in early action matches his work from Double-A last year. Triple-A runners continue to run aggressively against him and have successfully swiped eight bases in 11 attempts through his first eight starts behind the plate. … Josh Naylor and Jose Pirela each added their second homers of the season as they both reached base three times. Naylor hasn’t struck out in his last 33 plate appearances. … Jerry Keel bent but didn’t break Sunday. The lefty handed out six walks over five innings but didn’t allow a run until his final frame. A groundball pitcher, Keel continues to show markedly better results against same-side hitters.
Corpus Christi Hooks 13, Sod Poodles 5
Key Stats: DH Buddy Reed 2-for-4, HR (6), BB; RF Edward Olivares 2-for-4, HR (2); 2B Owen Miller 1-for-4, 2B, BB, E (2); RHP Reggie Lawson 1.1IP, 4H, 5ER, 4BB, 2K; RHP Andres Muñoz 0.2IP, 1H, 3R (1ER), 2BB, K
Prospect Watch: Starter Reggie Lawson recorded a pair of strikeouts in the first and got squeezed on what could have been a third. But things went south quickly in the second, and the 21-year-old surrendered five runs and recorded only one more out before giving way. Lawson appeared to struggle to finish his pitches, missing above the zone with his fastball frequently as he walked four. The big righty’s gruesome 12.79 ERA in the early going reflects some bad luck – opponents’ .550 batting average was helped by several balls that could have been turned into outs Sunday – but also highlights the importance of improving his strike percentage, which sits a bit above 50 percent after two starts. … Fireballing reliever Andres Muñoz gave up two more walks in his 0.2 innings of work Sunday and has now allowed seven free passes in four frames this year. … All three members of the club’s primary outfield homered Sunday. Buddy Reed seized sole possession of the lead league with his sixth round-tripper. Almost all of his production has come at home so far, so keep an eye on his performance as the club hits the road for 11 of their next 14 games.
Storm 5, Inland Empire 66ers 3
Key Stats: C Luis Campusano 1-for-4, 2B; 1B Olivier Basabe 1-for-1, 3BB; 2B Esteury Ruiz 2-for-4, SB (6), CS (2), E (4); RHP Ronald Bolaños 5IP, 4H, 2ER, 6K, 3BB; Evan Miller 2IP, 0H, 0R, 2K, 0BB
Prospect Watch: The Storm managed only five hits, but they drew eight more walks and took advantage of scoring opportunities. As a team, Storm hitters own a .835 OPS and have struck out 20 times fewer than any other club. … Esteury Ruiz added a pair of singles and swiped his club-high sixth base to set up a run in the second inning. The 20-year-old also gave up an out on the basepaths and threw one away for his fourth error of the year. … Luis Campusano collected the team’s only extra-base hit, an RBI double. He’s hit in all 10 of his games and owns a 1.217 OPS.
TinCaps 6, Bowling Green Hot Rods 0
Hot Rods 4, TinCaps 3
Key Stats: CF Jawuan Harris 3-for-3, 2B, HR (1); RHP Henry Henry 4.2IP, 3H, 0R, 1K, 2BB, 2WP; LHP Ramon Perez 6IP, 4H, 2R (1ER), 4K, 1BB
Prospect Watch: The TinCaps added on in the re-start of Saturday nights game, rolling to a 6-0 win, but got walked-off in the nightcap. Henry Henry delivered a much-needed long outing in the afternoon, tossing 4.2 innings of scoreless ball once the game resumed in the fourth inning. The big righty has held opponents to a .189 average in his first four outings, inducing plenty of weak contact. He’ll be asked to continue to work multi-inning stints out of the bullpen every two or three days. … Jawuan Harris came up a triple shy of a cycle in the nightcap, collecting his first homer of the year. The dynamic outfielder has produced a .259/.429/.519 line through his first 10 games while providing plus defense in center. … Ramon Perez has allowed four runs through his first two starts, but just one is earned. Opponents sport a sub-.200 average against the 19-year-old lefty from Cuba and he has struck out 12 in 11 innings of work.
