Round Rock Express 4, Chihuahuas 0

Key Statistics: C Luis Campusano, 1-for-3, BB; 2B Connor Hollis, 1-for-3; LHP Jay Groome (L, 0-1) 5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K; LHP Drew Pomeranz, IP, BB; RHP Carlos Belen, IP, K

Jay Groome has struck out 13 in 15.2 innings. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)

Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas managed just four hits as former all-star Dallas Keuchel shut them down for seven innings. … Catcher Luis Campusano was the only Chihuahuas hitter to reach base twice. He had a single and drew a walk in four plate appearances. The 23-year-old catcher and sometimes designated hitter has hit well in August after struggling in July. The top prospect is hitting .327/.377/.600 this month. … Left-hander Jay Groome made his third start as a Padres farmhand, completed five innings, and allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits. He walked two and struck out four. In three starts with El Paso, Groome has averaged just over five innings an outing while pitching to a 2.87 ERA. He’s struck out 13 in 15.2 innings. … Rehabbing left-hander Drew Pomeranz pitched a scoreless inning and walked a batter. It was Pomeranz’s fifth rehab assignment since starting his rehab journey two weeks ago. He pitched on three days rest in each of the previous outings but cut it to two days rest on Friday night. It seems probable that Pomeranz will get a few more tune-up outings before joining the big league club.

Roster Moves: The Padres officially activated right-handed reliever Brandon Kintzler after it was reported earlier this week that he had signed with the organization. The 38-year-old veteran has pitched in 12 seasons but has not appeared in any game action this season. He last pitched with the Phillies in 2021. The move is a homecoming of sorts. Kintzler was drafted by the Padres in the 40th round of the 2004 draft out of Dixie State University. He pitched for two seasons in the Padres’ system. The organization released him in early 2006, and he broke into the big leagues a few years later. While the Padres selected Matt Bush first overall in that draft, Kintzler has been the most productive player the organization selected that year.

Northwest Arkansas Naturals 9, Missions 8

Ethan Skender continues to produce whenever healthy. (Photo: Joe Alexander)

Key Statistics: LF Tirso Ornelas, 2-for-4, 2 R, HR (6), BB, 3 RBI; C Webster Rivas, 2-for-4, RBI, SB (1), 3B; DH Ethan Skender, 3-for-5, RBI, 3B; RHP Nolan Watson, 3 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 5 BB, 5 K; LHP Fernando Sanchez, 3 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K; LHP Osvaldo Hernandez (L, 4-3) 2.1 IP, H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Prospect Watch: These two teams have played some wild games this week, but Friday’s might have been the wildest one yet. San Antonio fell behind 7-0 before coming back to tie the score at 8 in the ninth inning. The Naturals won in the bottom of the ninth on a walk-off fielder’s choice. … At the plate, Tirso Ornelas had a pair of hits, including his sixth homer of the season. The blast was Ornelas’ first homer since July 15. The ever-streaky outfielder has been a roughly league-average bat in the Texas League this season, although he continues to put the ball on the ground too much. His 49.6% ground ball rate is the sixth-highest in the Texas League. … Ethan Skender started at designated hitter and had three hits, including a triple. The 25-year-old infielder missed most of the season with an injury, an unfortunate and recurring issue for the Illinois native. Skender was drafted way back in 2016, but he has only played in 149 games in his career. In six games with the Missions, he is off to a .350/.480/.450 start. … After a rough outing from starter Nolan Watson, left-handed reliever Fernando Sanchez pitched the middle innings and stabilized things for the Missions. Sanchez tossed three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out three. The 21-year-old was added to the Missions’ roster earlier in the day. completing his return from Tommy John surgery last year. The Mexico native worked just one outing in 2021 before his injury. In nine rehab outings (eight starts) with the ACL Padres this summer, Sanchez had a 4.87 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.

Dayton Dragons 4, TinCaps 2

Key Statistics: SS Jarryd Dale, 1-for-4, 2B; 1B Carlos Luis, 1-for-4, R, RBI; 3B Lucas Dunn, 1-for-3, RBI; LHP Jackson Wolf (L, 6-7) 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K; RHP Alan Mundo, 2.1 IP, 3 H, 5 K

Carlos Luis is settling in at first base. (Photo: Jeff Nycz)

Prospect Watch: The TinCaps had just four hits and lost in front of a crowd of over 7,000 in Fort Wayne. … First baseman Carlos Luis had a single and drove in a run Friday night. Luis has now reached base safely in all 12 games he has played with the TinCaps. Luis’ numbers with Fort Wayne aren’t overly impressive (.270/.357/.324) since joining the High-A roster, but he continues to put together competitive at-bats at the higher level. … Left-hander Jackson Wolf got the start and allowed four runs in 5.2 innings. The 23-year-old allowed four earned runs on five hits, walking two and striking out six. Wolf, the reigning MadFriars Pitcher of the Week, had allowed just one earned run in his previous 12 innings. Wolf has thrown 105.2 innings this year. He threw 104 last season between West Virginia and his professional debut. With two weeks remaining in the season, he should get two more starts to put the cap on a very solid first full professional season. … Right-hander Alan Mundo took over for Wolf and tossed 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball. He allowed three hits but limited the damage from that by striking out five batters. The 22-year-old Mundo has thrown the ball well since being promoted from Lake Elsinore. He has not allowed a run in four outings (5.1 innings) with the TinCaps. He’s walked just one batter and has racked up 11 strikeouts. Originally signed out of Mexico as a 17-year-old in 2017, the righty missed all of 2019 after Tommy John surgery and didn’t reach full-season ball until late last year. He’s shown a mid-90s fastball and a slider with good shape and late movement.

Stockton Ports 5, Storm 4 (10 innings)

Key Statistics: SS Jackson Merrill, 1-for-4, 2B; 3B Marcos Castañon, 1-for-3, BB; Juan Zabala, 1-for-4; RHP Will Geerdes, 3 IP, 3 H, ER, BB; RHP Ruben Galindo, 3.1 IP, H, BB, 3 K; LHP Hazahel Quijada (L, 5-1) 0.1 IP, 1H, 2 R (1 ER)

Jackson Merrill can do damage going the other way. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)

Prospect Watch: The Storm battled back to tie the game in the ninth inning, and they took a lead in the tenth. However, the good vibes didn’t last as Stockton got a walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the frame. … Shortstop Jackson Merrill extended his hitting streak to nine games with a double against the Ports. The 19-year-old shortstop has been solid this season for the Storm, despite missing a good chunk of the season with wrist and hamstring injuries. Merrill is hitting .290/.353/.419 this month. … Nines were wild in Stockton, as third baseman Marcos Castañon also extended his hitting streak to nine games. The 23-year-old infielder has been the Storm lineup’s anchor after many first-half winning offense contributors were promoted or traded. He leads the club with 18 homers and an on-base percentage north of .400. … Right-hander Will Geerdes allowed just one run on three hits over three innings in his second professional start. Geerdes signed as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Virginia. The San Antonio native was a graduate transfer from Colombia University prior to the 2022 season.

ACL Padres 9, ACL Rockies 2

Key Statistics: LF Eddy Beltre, 2-for-4, 2 R; 1B Nathan Martorella, 2-for-4, R, HR (1), 3 RBI; RF Tyler Robertson, 2-for-4, 2 R, HR (1), 4 RBI; RHP Jordan Guerrero, IP, H, K; RHP Carter Loewen (W, 1-0) IP, 2 K; RHP Ian Koenig, IP, K

Nathan Martorella (Photo credit: California Golden Bears Athletics)

Prospect Watch: It was a true bullpen game in the desert as nine different pitchers threw, including several of the rehabbing group. The offense cranked out a pair of homers to cruise to a win. … In his first start since his four-hit game earlier in the week, fifth-rounder Nathan Martorella had two more hits, including the first homer of his professional career. The former Cal-Berkeley star is off to a .357/.419/.607 start in his first ten games as a professional … Not to be outdone, right fielder Tyler Robertson had two hits, including the first homer of his professional career. The former Louisiana-Lafayette star was drafted by the Padres in the 14th round in July. He hit .314/.407/.467 in his final season with the Ragin’ Cajuns. … Right-handers Jordan Guerrero and Carter Loewen each pitched scoreless frames in their second games back in competition. Both underwent Tommy John surgery last summer. Loewen struck out a pair and was rewarded with the win. Look for both to join full-season clubs when the complex season finishes next week. … Right-hander Ian Koenig made his professional debut and tossed a scoreless inning, notching a strikeout in the process. The 21-year-old went to high school in Watsonville before playing for Cabrillo Community College in Aptos, both in Santa Cruz county. The Padres gave him a $50,000 bonus to start his professional career. His older brother Jared reached the big leagues with Oakland this year.

Posted by Kevin Charity

Kevin Charity has written for MadFriars since 2015 and has had work featured on Fox Sports San Diego. He is a lifelong San Diego native and is looking forward to seeing the current wave of prospects thrive in San Diego.

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