Pedro Florimon has been El Paso’s primary shortstop in 2021. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)

Sugar Land Skeeters 3, Chihuahuas 2

Key Stats: SS Pedro Florimon 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, E (5); C Webster Rivas 0-for-2, 2 BB; RHP Caleb Boushley 7.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 8 K, 3 BB

Prospect Watch: Righty Caleb Boushley gave up three runs over 7.2 innings, but El Paso’s offense couldn’t back him up as the Skeeters won for the third time in the series. The 27-year-old hurler was tagged for a two-run homer in the fourth and a solo shot in the fifth for all the runs he’d surrender on the night. Since joining El Paso last month, Boushley has allowed 10 home runs in just 41.2 innings of work, though his 36:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio has helped him limit the damage. After posting a 3.79 ERA in San Antonio to open the year, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse product has been knocked around for over five runs per nine innings for the Chihuahuas. … The offense managed just five hits on the day, including two by shortstop Pedro Florimon. The 34-year-old infielder’s RBI double was the club’s only extra-base hit. While he’s played primarily shortstop, the minor league free agent signee has also made starts at each infield spot and in left field.

Brett Kennedy made his return to Double-A on Sunday. (Photo: John Moore)

Amarillo Sod Poodles 4, Missions 0 (F/7 Innings)
Amarillo Sod Poodles 2, Missions 1 (F/7 Innings)

Key Stats: RHP Brett Kennedy 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 2 BB, HBP; DH Esteury Ruiz 2-for-3, 2B, SB (19); CF Jose Azocar 2-for-3, RBI; RHP Matt Waldron 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 K, 2 BB, Balk

Jose Azocar was 2-3 in Game 2. (Photo: Joe Alexander)

Prospect Watch: The Missions were held hitless over seven innings in the first game of their doubleheader Sunday, then managed just one run in the nightcap as Amarillo claimed the series win. The opener was the second time a Sod Poodles pitcher has kept San Antonio out of the hit column this year – though neither is technically recognized by MLB as a no-hitter because it was a regulation seven-inning game. In the late game, Esteury Ruiz collected a pair of hits, including a double. Since returning from the Injured List, the 22-year-old is 7-for-25 with four extra-base hits and as many stolen bases. As has long been a concern, though, he’s also struck out nine times in the process. … Brett Kennedy made his first start for the Missions in four years in the opener, allowing one run in four innings. The righty, who turns 27 this week, left his start for El Paso on June 5 with what appeared to be an injury on his side, then struggled in three rehab appearances in the desert after a six-week layoff. Kennedy has allowed opponents a .348 average in his first consistent action since his 2018 campaign was ended by a knee injury. … Matt Waldron took the loss in the second contest despite allowing just two earned runs over six. The righty gave up six hits over as many innings in what will count as a complete game while tossing 95 pitches. As he’s incorporated the knuckleball more this season, he’s consistently been allowed to throw deeper into games than anyone in the system – and most of the big league staff. In three starts since his promotion, he sports a 4.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts against eight walks in 18 frames.

Agustin Ruiz has made plenty of loud contact for Fort Wayne. . (Photo: Jeff Nycz).

TinCaps 12, Lansing Lugnuts 1

Key Stats: 3B Zack Mathis 3-for-6; RF Agustin Ruiz 4-for-6, HR (14), 2B, 4 RBI; 1B Chris Givin 2-for-4, BB; CF Reinaldo Ilarraza 2-for-4, BB; LHP Danny Denz 4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 K, 1 BB

Prospect Watch: The TinCaps pounded out 12 runs as they cruised to victory over Lansing Sunday. Despite collected 13 hits as a team, Agustin Ruiz had the club’s only extra-base hits of the game. The 21-year-old had a homer to lead off the third and added a double among his four hits on the day. He now has 14 round-trippers on the year, moving back into a tie for fourth in the league. After going cold at the plate earlier this month, Ruiz is 10 for his last 20 with 18 total bases in that stretch. He continues to strike out at nearly a 30 percent rate. … With the offense rolling, Danny Denz worked 4.2 innings to lead a parade of five TinCaps pitchers who didn’t allow Lansing on the board until the ninth inning. Denz, 23, and Sam Keating carried a no-hitter through six. Denz, the 5-foot-9 lefty from the University of Memphis, who signed as an undrafted free agent last summer, has posted a 2.20 ERA in five starts for Fort Wayne after an injury pushed back his professional debut two months.

Storm 11, Fresno Grizzlies 3

Key Stats: RF Matt Acosta 1-for-4, HR (6), BB, 3 R; 2B Euribiel Angeles 2-for-4, 2B, HBP; CF Robert Hassell III 2-for-5, 2B; DH Brandon Valenzuela 1-for-3, 2B, 2 BB; Jarryd Dale 3-for-5, 2B; SS Brayan Torres 2-for-3, SF; RHP Ruben Galindo 4 IP, 7 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 K, 2 BB; LHP Bodi Rascon 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 K, 1 BB

Padres prospect Ruben Galindo pitches for the Lake Elsinore Storm

Ruben Galindo delivers for the Storm. (Photo: Dinur Blum)

Prospect Watch: The Storm offense broke out for 14 hits including five doubles and a leadoff homer by Matt Acosta to cruise to victory Sunday. Euribiel Angeles made his first start in the field after missing time with a shoulder issue and just continued to hit. The 19-year-old added a single and double Sunday and is 4-for-9 after getting shut down for almost two weeks. His .343 average leads the circuit. … Infielder Brayan Torres, who started at shortstop, collected his first two hits since joining the Storm from the complex. The 21-year-old, who originally signed out of Venezuela in 2016, has generally shown good bat-to-ball feel throughout his career in the DSL and Arizona, but hasn’t developed the strength needed to make an impact with that contact. … Bodi Rascon made his full-season league debut a memorable one, holding Fresno hitless for five innings. The big lefty walked the first batter he faced, then picked him off before rolling through the lineup The only other runner reached on an error and was promptly erased on a double play. Grizzlies hitters were aggressive against him early in the count, so the 20-year-old Texan got through his piggyback turn in the rotation in only 54 pitches. After striking out 16 in just 10.2 innings in rookie ball, Rascon didn’t draw a whiff Sunday, though he got three pop-ups. … Rascon followed Ruben Galindo, who continued his run of four-inning outings. The 20-year-old Colombian has gone exactly four frames in each of his last five appearances, giving up 10 runs with a solid 20:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He signed as an 18-year-old in 2019 and is making his professional debut this year.

Posted by David Jay

David has written for MadFriars since 2005, has published articles in Baseball America, written a monthly column for FoxSports San Diego and appeared on numerous radio programs and podcasts. He may be best known on the island of Guam for his photos of Trae Santos that appeared in the Pacific Daily News.

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