Chihuahuas 6, Sugar Land Skeeters 5
Key Statistics: RF Taylor Kohlwey 2-for-4, RBI, R; SS Iván Castillo 2-for-4, BB, 2 RBI, R; LHP Kyle McGrath 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, K; LHP Joe Beimel 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K; RHP Steven Wilson (W, 2-0) 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Steven Wilson can overwhelm Triple-A batters. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: The Skeeters struck first but the Chihuahuas had the final say as El Paso won on a walkoff single by Ivan Castillo. The win snapped a four game losing streak. …With the red-hot Luis Campusano out of the starting lineup, the Chihuahuas got at least one hit from every position player in the lineup. Castillo led the way with a pair of singles while adding a walk, driving in two runs. The diminutive infielder has solid bat-to-ball skills, but has produced just a 63 wRC+ in his first season with El Paso. … Kyle McGrath, tasked with the matinee starting assignment, but was charged with three earned runs as he failed to escape the first inning. The 29-year-old finesse southpaw originally drafted in 2014 has struggled mightily in 2021, allowing nearly two baserunners per inning. Opposing hitters have posted an OPS of .910 against McGrath in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2019. … On the other side of the spectrum, Steven Wilson‘s dominance was again on display. The 27-year-old Santa Clara product collected his second win in relief with 1.2 perfect innings of work. Across 20 outings in 2021, Wilson’s 14.57 K/9 rank second in the Triple-A West circuit.
Amarillo Sod Poodles 9, Missions 4
Key Statistics: CF Esteury Ruiz 2-for-4, SB (30), R; 2B Ethan Skender 2-for-5, 2 RBI; RHP Pedro Avila (L, 0-3) 4 IP, 3 H, 5 R (3 ER), BB, 5 K
Esteury Ruiz is a disruptive force on the basepaths. (Photo: Joe Alexander)
Prospect Watch: The Sod Poodles mounted a 5-0 lead after four innings, and cruised to victory in San Antonio. Esteury Ruiz led the Missions with a pair of base hits out of the leadoff spot, adding his 30th stolen base of the year. The 22-year-old Dominican outfielder has been a terror on the basepaths, converting 30 of his 35 attempts this season. He finished the month with a .292/.380/.519 line … Pedro Avila labored through four innings as he made his seventh start since moving into San Antonio rotation. The 24-year-old was undermined by his own throwing error in the first, two hit batsmen, and two errors by shortstop by Eguy Rosario. All told, Avila was charged with five runs, three of which were earned. … Trailing 9-2 in the ninth inning, the Missions summoned infielder Kelvin Melean to the mound. As the quirkiness of baseball would allow it, Melean retired the side in order to become the only Missions pitcher to post a clean inning on the night.
Great Lakes Loons 4, TinCaps 3
Key Statistics: 1B Zack Mathis 1-for-4, HR (3), RBI, R; LHP Danny Denz 4 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K; RHP Chase Walter (L, 0-1) 0.2 IP, 0 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Danny Denz continues to deliver for the TinCaps. (Photo: Jeff Nycz)
Prospect Watch: The Loons capitalized on a rare off night by standout reliever Chase Walter, parlaying four walks and a wild pitch to escape with a one run victory in the series opener. Zack Mathis provided the sole extra base hit for the TinCaps, a ninth inning solo home run that capped the scoring. The former LSU Tiger by way of San Joaquin Delta College has seen time at three different levels this season, but seems to have found a home in the Summit City. The 22-year-old infielder/catcher produced his best month offensively as a professional in August, slashing .306/.427/.452 in 17 games. … Fellow 2020 undrafted free agent Danny Denz turned in another stellar performance in his tenth start for the TinCaps. The lefty allowed just one hit across four shutout innings, lowering his ERA to 1.91. The 23-year-old has held the opposition to two earned runs or fewer in 11 of 12 outings in 2021.
Storm 8, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2
Key Statistics: LF Angel Solarte 3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R; C Gilberto Vizcarra 2-for-4, 2B, RBI; RHP Nick Thwaits (W, 2-7) 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 7 K
Angel Solarte has put himself on the radar with a strong full-season debut. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
Prospect Watch: The Storm bolted to a four-run cushion in the first inning and never looked back, extending their winning streak to four straight. With the promotions of Robert Hassell III, Euribiel Angeles and Brandon Valenzuela left Lake Elsinore in search of offensive production. Enter Angel Solarte, who tied his season high with a three-hit performance, including his 15th double of the year. The 20-year old outfielder pushed his average with the Storm to .303 as he continues a strong first run in full-season ball. … With Valenzuela in Fort Wayne, Gilberto Vizcarra figures to get more of the catching duties going forward. The Mexicali native punctuated a solid August with a two hit night, driving in a run. In part-time duties, Vizcarra hit .304 and struck out just seven times in 46 at-bats for the month. … Nick Thwaits tossed five quality innings, striking out a season-high seven batters against just one walk to earn his second win of the year. The 22-year-old Ohioan has struck out 82 batters in 81.1 innings this season, though he has allowed more than 1.5 runners per inning.
ACL Padres 0, ACL Royals 0 (Forfeit)
There was no fun to be had in Peoria as the contest was ruled a forfeit due to a COVID situation with the Royals. It’s the third time in two weeks that one of the two Royals squads has been unable to field a roster against the Padres.
