Angel Felipe approaches triple-digit velocity out of the bullpen. (Jorge Salgado)
Chihuahuas 9, Round Rock Express 3
Key Statistics: SS Matthew Batten, 2-for-4, 2 R, BB, RBI; RF Brandon Dixon, 2-for-4, 2 R, HR (10), 3 RBI, BB; C Brett Sullivan, 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI; 3B Eguy Rosario, 2-for-4, R, 2B, SB (21); 1B Kyle Martin, 1-for-4, R, HR (17), RBI; DH Michael Cantu, 3-for-4, R; RHP Jesse Scholtens, 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K; RHP Moises Lugo (W, 1-0) IP, 3 H, 2 ER; RHP Angel Felipe, 1.1 IP, BB, 2 K
Prospect Watch: The El Paso offense stayed hot and they bounced back to beat Round Rock and drop the Express to three games back. El Paso has a one-game lead over the Oklahoma City Dodgers, who they’ll host for a six-game series next week. … The only surface hotter than the sun right now is Brandon Dixon’s bat. The 30-year-old slugger had two more hits, including yet another home run. He has homered in four straight contests and has ten homers in just 18 games with El Paso. Since joining El Paso, Dixon is hitting a ridiculous .394/.470/.915. Overall this season, Dixon has 20 homers in 44 games between the Missions, Chihuahuas, and a single rehab game in the ACL. His 20 homers this season are a new career high; he hit 19 in 2015 while a member of the Dodgers organization. In the big leagues with Detroit in 2019, he hit 15 in 117 games. … Infielder Eguy Rosario played in his first season since being optioned back to Triple-A and he had two hits, including a double. Rosario also stole his 21st base of the season. Rosario has set career-highs in virtually every offensive category but his power output has been most impressive. He has 33 doubles and 21 homers with El Paso this season. … Designated hitter Michael Cantu had three singles Friday night. The backstop has played sparingly this season for El Paso. He hasn’t provided much offensive value but he’s generally been excellent behind the dish and has been praised for his work with the pitching staff. … Hard-throwing right-hander Angel Felipe recorded four outs, walking one and striking two. The former Rays prospect was added to the Padres’ 40-man roster this month, so it’s clear that the organization is intrigued by his skillset. He has a 4.76 ERA in 15 appearances with El Paso but that doesn’t really paint an accurate picture of how he’s pitched. Opposing batters are hitting just .155 against him – impressive in any league but it’s remarkable in the PCL.
Amarillo Sod Poodles 7, Missions 0
Key Statistics: RF Ethan Skender, 1-for-4, 2B; 1B Yorman Rodriguez, 1-for-3, BB, 2B; LHP Jackson Wolf (L, 0-2) 5.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K; RHP Edwuin Bencomo, IP, 3 K; RHP Kevin Kopps, IP, K
Yorman Rodriguez continues his late-season surge for the Missions. (Photo: Rey Holguin).
Prospect Watch: The Missions dropped their fourth straight to the Sod Poodles, amassing just four hits in a shutout loss. The setback dropped the Missions’ overall record to .500 at 67-67. The squad has faded down the stretch; they are 4-10 in September. The club is still playoff-bound by virtue of winning the first half but San Antonio is last in the Texas League South Division in the second half, with a 29-38 record. … First baseman Yorman Rodriguez singled and drew a walk Friday night. He and infielder Domingo Leyba were the only Missions hitters to reach base twice. Despite the Missions’ swoon this month, the 25-year-old has done his part offensively. He has a .900 OPS in 13 September games with three homers and 11 RBI. The catcher/first baseman has always shown the ability to make good contact, but his patience at the plate since August has helped him take his offensive game to the next level. He’s drawn 19 walks over his last 29 games. In the season’s first 81 games, he drew just 18. … Left-hander Jackson Wolf was hit hard in his second Double-A start. On a positive note, he worked into the sixth inning but he allowed five earned runs on eight hits. The 23-year-old has pitched at least five innings in both of his Double-A starts but he’s allowed five earned runs in each outing. Despite the rough finish, it has been a successful first full pro season for the southpaw out of West Virginia. Between Fort Wayne and San Antonio, Wolf has thrown 129.2 innings and struck out 142 batters. … Right-hander Edwuin Bencomo pitched a scoreless frame, striking out the side in the process. The 23-year-old reliever has a 4.12 ERA in 19.2 innings with the Missions. While opposing batters are hitting just .214 off of him in Double-A, nine walks and four homers allowed have inflated his ERA a bit. Overall, he’s been a solid reliever who is capable of working multiple innings.
The Storm won their series against Inland Empire on Thursday night. They will open the California League Championship Series on Sunday at home against Fresno.
Arizona Fall League: The rosters for the Arizona Fall League were announced Friday and the Padres will be well-represented in the desert. The headliner of the Padres’ representatives will be shortstop Jackson Merrill. The 19-year-old shortstop missed a chunk of time this season with a wrist injury. Other players headed to Peoria include right-handed starter Efrain Contreras, relievers Jordan Guerrero and Alek Jacob, infielder Nerwilian Cedeño, and outfielder Joshua Mears. Also listed on the Peoria roster is reliever Chris Lincoln, who hasn’t pitched in an official game since 2019, when he was selected in the fifth round, out of UC Santa Barbara. The Peoria squad will also feature Robert Hassell III, the Padres’ first-rounder in 2020, who will be part of the Nationals’ delegation. Play will get underway on October 3.
