In their final Thursday game of the year, the El Paso Chihuahuas opt for a bullpen game, and fall in Oklahoma City to the Dodgers’ affiliate.
Brian O’Grady hit his 14th home run of the season. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Oklahoma City Dodgers 5, Chihuahas 2
Key Stats: LHP Joe Beimel, 2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, K; RF Brian O’Grady, 3-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB; 1B Taylor Kohlwey, 1-for-4, 2B, R, BB; 2B Gosuke Katoh, 1-for-4, SB; C Yorman Rodriguez, 2-for-4
Prospect Watch: With pitching light at the Triple-A level, the Chihuahuas opted for a bullpen game, giving Joe Beimel his first start since 2011, when he started at Double-A in the Pirates organization, and his first start at Triple-A since 2004. After a scoreless first inning, Beimel allowed a two-run homer to start the scoring for OKC in the bottom of the second with two outs. In thirty appearances between San Antonio and El Paso, Beimel is 1-2 with a 3.93 ERA, and a 25:11 K:BB in 34.1 innings. While the drumbeat has grown louder to give Beimel a callup for the final series in San Francisco, the Padres would have to make room on the 40-player roster to do so. The 44-year-old reliever has been a feel-good story in a year Padres fans could use them, as he’s returned to affiliated baseball after nearly five full years away. … El Paso got on the board courtesy of a two-run Brian O’Grady home run in the top of the third inning. O’Grady’s 14th home run of the year would be the only scoring for the Chihuahuas on the evening. With five hits in his last two games, O’Grady looks to enter potential free agency on a high note. In 276 at-bats for El Paso, O’Grady has hit .279 with 14 home runs and 42 RBI, hitting to the tune of a .903 OPS on the season. … Gosuke Katoh added a single and his seventh stolen base of the year. The 26-
Gosuke Katoh has provided versatility and a solid bat to the El Paso lineup. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
year-old graduate of Rancho Bernardo High School has slashed .298/.383/.466 in his first season playing for his hometown organization, while making starts at first, second, and third base, as well as the outfield corners and DH. … Another night, another base hit for Taylor Kohlwey, who finds himself 22 points behind in the race to the inaugural Triple-A West batting title. Kohlwey, a 21st round selection in the 2016 draft, has broken out at age 27, slashing .313/.386/.450 on the season, including a .322/.384/.463 line for El Paso. … A pair of hits for Yorman Rodriguez brought his September average up to .269. Rodriguez, claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays organization this past December, has played in Fort Wayne, San Antonio, and El Paso this year. For the TinCaps and Missions, Rodriguez was used primarily as a DH, first baseman, and left fielder, but in El Paso, the 24-year-old Rodriguez has made three starts at second base, and has caught games in the final weeks of the season.
