Gabe Mosser dials in another strong outing for the Fort Wayne TinCaps. (Photo: Jeff Nycz)
Chihuahuas 4 Fresno Grizzlies 1
Key Stats: RHP Andres Muñoz (W, 1-0) IP, K; SS Luis Urías 2-4, HR (13), RBI, BB, SB (4); C Francisco Mejia 2-4, BB, 2B, PB; LF Michael Gettys 2-5, 3B, R, RBI
Prospect Watch: LF Michael Gettys delivered the big hit of the game, following Jason Vosler‘s go-ahead single with an RBI triple. He later scored to account for the Chihuahuas’ final runs. El Paso had a chance for more, but with the bases loaded and one out, SS Luis Urías grounded into an inning-ending double play. It was the lone negative in the game for Urías, who homered, reached three times, and stole a base. After 37 Triple-A games, Urías has pushed his OPS back over 1.200, good for third in the league. … RHP Andres Muñoz earned his first win of the season, throwing his first perfect inning in Triple-A. The 20-year-old has yet to allow a run in four innings. With tonight’s strikeout, Muñoz tied his career high of 38 from 2017 when he tossed a career-high 26 innings. He has worked 19.2 frames this year. … Pressed into service as a starter once again, Kyle McGrath delivered four strong innings. The lefty, who hadn’t made a professional start before his last outing, has given up one earned run over eight innings in two combined “opener” appearances.
Frisco RoughRiders 3 Sod Poodles 1
Key Stats: RHP Miguel Diaz (L, 2-1) 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K; CF Buddy Reed 1-2, 2B, RBI, BB; 3B Hudson Potts 0-3, BB, RS, K
Prospect Watch: Rehabbing Padre Miguel Diaz surrendered two home runs in the second inning to take away from an otherwise stellar performance. Diaz tied his season high with nine strikeouts, and had his best overall outing, throwing five innings for just the second time all season, and the first time doing so allowing two or fewer runs. The 24-year-old righty could make one final start at the beginning of next week before he’d need to be activated from the disabled list. … The offense continued to struggle as former Padre first-round pick Walker Weickel earned his fourth win of the year for Frisco. Amarillo’s only offense of the game was sparked by an RBI double from CF Buddy Reed. Reed would reach base later in the game for his third straight multi-on-base game (2-for-5 with four walks). While he has still struggled to find consistency in his game, Reed has posted a .373 OBP in May. If he can maintain that with his speed and defense, he could still be a valuable contributor.
Storm 3 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 1 (Game 1)
Key Stats: RHP Luis Patiño (W, 4-4) 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K; C Luis Campusano 2-4, 2B, RS, 2 RBI; 2B Esteury Ruiz 1-2, RS, SB (16)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 1 Storm 0 (Game 2)
Key Stats: RHP Ronald Bolaños (L, 4-2) 5 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K; DH Luis Campusano 1-2, BB **Only hit in the game
Prospect Watch: Kevin was at The Diamond and has all the hard-hitting doubleheader action in his report.
TinCaps 5 West Michigan Whitecaps 4
Key Stats: RHP Gabe Mosser (W, 4-2) 6 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 8 K; SS Xavier Edwards 1-3, 2 R, BB; 2B Justin Lopez 1-4, 2B, RS; LF Michael Curry 2-4, 2 RBI, 2B; C Blake Hunt 3-4, 2 2B, RS
Prospect Watch: While it seems every daily discusses Xavier Edwards’s hitting prowess, it should be known that not only does he lead the MWL in hitting, he does so by 47 points. The next closest hitter (Tyler Freeman at .330) is closer to 9th place Tucupita Marcano (.304) than to Edwards (.377). … The club’s recent success has been due in large part to guys not named Edwards or Marcano starting to hit. Michael Curry had a two-RBI double in the first, while Blake Hunt had his first multi-extra-base-hit game since April 6. Still, while the offense has come along, it has been the pitching that has kept the team in games all year. While LHP Ryan Weathers is the only marquee name in the rotation, three others – Efraín Contreras, Joey Cantillo, and Gabe Mosser – are averaging over a strikeout per inning, Gabe Mosser became the first TinCaps hurler to reach 50 strikeouts for the season Tuesday. The 27th-rounder has allowed just one earned run on eight hits over his last 12 innings with one walk and 14 strikeouts.
Roster Notes: Before the game infielder Tucupita Marcano was placed on the IL with a sprained thumb. The Padres activated Kelvin Melean from the IL in Lake Elsinore and transferred him out to fill the spot. Expect Edwards and Justin Lopez to get the bulk of the work up the middle in Marcano’s absence.
