MacKenzie Gore bounced back strong. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
Chihuahuas 11, Tacoma Rainiers 10
Key Stats: RHP Robert Stock IP, H, 2 BB; CF Michael Gettys 2-4, HR (3), 2 R, BB; 2B Ty France 2-5, 2 HR (6), 4 RBI; C Austin Allen 2-4, 2 R, 2B; DH Jose Pirela 2-4, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI; 1B Jason Vosler 1-2, HR (2), 2 RBI
Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas faced the Mariners’ top prospect and the 40th overall prospect, Justice Sheffield, who allowed only three hits over 6.2 innings. One of those hits, a two-run homer by Jose Pirela, gave El Paso a short-lived lead. Once El Paso got to the Rainiers bullpen, they hit four home runs to surge from 7-3 deficit to an 11-10 walk-off win. Ty France, playing second base for the second time this week and in his career, hit two of the home runs, including the game-winner. The 24-year-old France has already appeared at first, second and third this year, hitting .383 with a 1.199 OPS. If he can continue to play serviceable second base, he gives the Padres another option as they suddenly look to compete at the big-league level. … Should the Padres decide to send Francisco Mejia down to Triple-A at some point, they will need to figure out how to balance his development with Austin Allen‘s. Allen has five multi-hit games in ten games this year, and has made notable improvements on defense. … Aside from Pirela’s home run, Michael Gettys had the best at-bats against Sheffield, lining a hard hit single and later walking. Gettys has made multiple outstanding plays in the outfield, has a strong arm, and has already shown the ability to hit for power with speed. However, this was also just his second game of the year without striking out and “lowered” his K rate to 41%, so much talent if he can make contact.
Ty 'Big Fly' France flips the script and walks us off!
🏔️10
🌶️11
FINAL#FearTheEars@MiLB @Padres pic.twitter.com/r1L82Jgvo8— El Paso Chihuahuas (@epchihuahuas) April 17, 2019
Midland RockHounds 4, Sod Poodles 1
Key Stats: RHP Jesse Scholtens 5 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 BB,5 K; SS Peter Van Gansen 2-4, HR (2), RBI
Prospect Watch: The Sod Poodles managed only one run on seven hits with no walks and 14 strikeouts. Pete Van Gansen hit his second home run of the year, equalling his combined total from 2016 and 2017. The diminutive left-handed hitter takes a contract-first approach. … Jesse Scholtens gave up one earned run over five innings for his second straight start. The 25-year-old righty sports a 14:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio through his first 12 innings. Both numbers are up from his work in Double-A last year. … Reliever Andres Muñoz struck out the side in the sixth, allowing one walk. He hit 102 on the radar gun for the second time this season. The 20-year-old has struck out ten in five innings but also has allowed eight walks.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 4, Storm 2
Key Stats: LHP MacKenzie Gore 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 K; LF Robbie Podorsky 2-4; CF Jack Suwinski 1-3, R, BB; DH Esteury Ruiz 1-4, 2B, R
Prospect Watch: Top prospect MacKenzie Gore squared off with rehabbing Dodger Rich Hill. This time, the rugged vet won the showdown with the young stud. Hill allowed just two hits and eight strikeouts as he stymied the Storm for four innings. Gore ran into trouble in the second inning, giving up three hits including a leadoff homer. After a two-out RBI single made it a 2-0 game, Gore picked off the runner to end the inning. He did not allow another runner to reach base, setting down the last 12 in a row before exiting after 75 pitches. Gore did not seem to have the same bite to his pitches that he had in his last start, struggling with location early in the game. Gore needed 31 pitches (only 17 strikes), to get through the first two frames, but was able to make adjustments mid-game and dominate. … Robbie Podorsky collected a pair of hits in his first game in the leadoff spot of the year. The speedy outfielder has reached at a .375 clip and stolen five bases in ten games.
Dayton Dragons 4, TinCaps 3
Key Stats: RHP Efraín Contreras 5 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 6 K; Agustin Ruiz 2-3, 2 BB; 1B Nick Gatewood 1-3, 2 R, 2B, BB; Lee Solomon 2-3, 2 RBI, BB, 3B
Prospect Watch: Efraín Contreras allowed one earned run in five innings for the second straight outing. The 19-year-old has now allowed four runs in 14 innings (2.57 ERA) while striking out 18. At this time last year, Contreras had not yet thrown a pitch in pro ball. He impressed so much in the DSL in June that he came stateside, where he continued to impress in both the AZL and Tri-City. … Agustin Ruiz reached base four more times to raise his slash line to a stellar .333/.404/.422. While Ruiz put on more muscle this offseason, his IsoP is down significantly so far in full-season ball. If he can bring his power into games, he could emerge as one of the top performers on a prospect-filled squad even despite his high strikeout rates. … Xavier Edwards missed the start after leaving Tuesday’s game. No word yet, but we’ll work on an update.
