On a day when the system got swept, the biggest news is the Padres’ move to deepen the big league lineup by acquiring All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier from the Pirates. Kevin has all the details on the prospects headed back to Pittsburgh. For on-field news, read on.
Albuquerque Isotopes 7, Chihuahuas 6
Key Stats: SS/2B Ivan Castillo 2-for-5, 2 2B; LF Matthew Batten 2-for-4, BB, SB (12), CS (3); RF Taylor Kohlwey 3-for-5; LHP Luke Westphal 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 K, 0 BB, HBP; LHP Nick Ramirez 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, K, BB
Matt Batten was in left field tonight but can play all over the field. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: Starter Luke Westphal had another strong outing, allowing just one run over six innings while striking out six Isotopes. In 19 innings since signing his first affiliated contract before the 2017 season, the 32-year-old has allowed just 16 baserunners. … Nick Ramirez, making his second rehab appearance, was tagged for four earned runs without getting through an inning of work. The lefty, who has been on the big league shuttle all year, had allowed just two earned runs in 20.2 innings for El Paso coming into the night, but has a 5.75 ERA in the big leagues. … Matthew Batten, making his second appearance in left field this year, had a pair of hits, stole his 12th base, and made a stellar catch at the wall. The 26-year-old utility man figures to get more exposure moving around the field after the trade of Tucupita Marcano.
Dwanya Williams-Sutton receives the Chancla swag chain from Henry Henry after belting his second home run. (Photo: Joe Alexander)
Springfield Cardinals 10, Missions 6
Key Stats: 2B Eguy Rosario 1-for-4, BB, 2 SB (21), E (15); CF Jose Azocar 2-for-4, BB; LF Esteury Ruiz 1-for-2, HR (2); LF Dwanya Williams-Sutton 1-for-2, HR (2); LHP Ethan Elliott 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 6 K, 3 BB
Ethan Elliott looked strong in this third Double-A start. (Photo: Rey Holguin)
Prospect Watch: After taking an early lead, the Missions offense stalled out and Springfield pulled away for the victory. Ethan Elliott got through the first four innings without allowing a run but opened the fifth by surrendering a single and homer before an Eguy Rosario error sent him to the showers. The 24-year-old lefty struck out six and now has 16 in 12.2 innings since his promotion to Double-A. The homer was the first he’s surrendered for San Antonio after giving up 13 in 58 frames for Fort Wayne. … Esteury Ruiz returned from the IL after missing six weeks with a hand injury he sustained diving into second base on a stolen base and homered in his first at-bat. The dynamic 22-year-old gave way after a hard groundout in the fifth inning and was replaced by Dwanya Williams-Sutton, himself returning after leaving Friday’s game with a leg injury. Williams-Sutton also hit a solo homer and now has a .843 OPS since joining the Missions. … Rosario had a single and walked out of the leadoff spot and stole a base each time. Now the top active infield prospect in the upper levels of the Padres system, Rosario has been at his best atop the lineup, posting a .937 OPS when leading off. The 21-year-old is in the midst of his best campaign in full-season ball.
Dayton Dragons 5, TinCaps 3
Key Stats: 3B Zack Mathis 1-for-4, HR (1); RHP Carlos Guarate 4 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 K, 2 BB; RHP Austin Smith 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K; RHP Wen-Hua Sung 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K
Wen-Hua Sung in action with Fort Wayne. (Photo: Jeff Nycz)
Prospect Watch: The visitors jumped on starter Carlos Guarate for three runs on five hits in the top of the first and rolled to victory to split the series. After the rough start, Guarate, 20, bounced back with three scoreless innings. The righty from Venezuela, who is the youngest player in Hi-A at the moment, issued a pair of walks in the third, but has allowed just 12 in 67.1 innings across two levels this year. … Zack Mathis, who was transferred to Fort Wayne on Saturday, hit a two-run homer to cap the scoring Sunday. The 22-year-old infielder has hit .230 across three levels in his first professional season after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana State University last summer. The diminutive left-handed hitter, originally from Stockton, has logged time around the infield this year and even worked two mop-up innings on the mound. … Jonny Homza went 0-for-5 on the day and saw his OPS fall to .793, the lowest it’s been since late May. The 22-year-old catcher got banged up and left the game on July 13. Since then, he’s gone just 4-for-25 as he navigates the rigors of catching through a full campaign for the first time in his career.
Inland Empire 66’ers 5, Storm 0
Key Stats: CF Robert Hassell 1-for-4, 2B (23); LHP Noel Vela 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 1 BB; RHP Dwayne Matos 4 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 K, 1 BB
Robert Hassell III has spent plenty of time leading off second base for the Storm this year. (Photo: Dinur Blum)
Prospect Watch: The Storm managed just six hits and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position on the day, coming up short in their effort to split the series in San Bernardino. … Robert Hassell III collected the club’s only extra-base hit with an eighth-inning double. The 19-year-old is one off the pace for the league lead in two-baggers with 23 in his first professional season. His .870 OPS has moved into the top 10 in the Low-A West league. … Lefty Noel Vela, who took the mound just once the last three times through the rotation, returned for two innings of work Sunday. The 22-year-old Texan punched out four and now has 58 in 48.1 innings of work on the year. … Infielder Euribiel Angeles missed his third straight game and has logged just 10 plate appearances since leaving last Sunday’s game early. Angeles has been in the midst of a breakout performance in his first campaign stateside.
