Brett Sullivan connects for the Chihuahuas. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Albuquerque Isotopes 15, Chihuahuas 4
Key Statistics: LF Matthew Batten, 2-for-4, BB, 2B, BB, 2 RBI; C Brett Sullivan, 2-for-4, R, HR (9), RBI; 2B Connor Hollis, 1-for-4, R, 2B; RHP Reiss Knehr, 2.1 IP, ER, 3 BB, 3 K; RHP Michel Baez (L, 1-2) 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, BB; LHP Ryan Weathers, 2 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 2 K; RHP Nabil Crismatt, 1.2 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 K
Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas opened up their final series of the season by losing in a blowout at the hands of the worst team in the PCL. The game didn’t matter much, as El Paso has already earned a berth in the PCL Championship game against Reno. … Matthew Batten started in left field and had two hits, including a double. He also drove in a pair of runs in the process. The versatile Batten has been a solid contributor this season both offensively and defensively but he hasn’t flashed the same kind of power he did earlier in the season. Coming into Tuesday’s game, Batten was hitting just.244/.327/.291 since the Padres optioned him to El Paso. … Catcher Brett Sulllivan connected on his ninth homer as part of a multi-hit effort. The catcher, much like Batten, has been a versatile cog for the Chihuahuas this season. He’s played all over the field and has been slightly below average at the plate. Behind the dish, he has thrown at 30% of runners attempting to steal. …
Reiss Knehr delivers for the Chihuahuas. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Right-hander Reiss Knehr made the start and pitched 2.1 innings. He didn’t allow a hit but struggled with command, as evidenced by his three walks which led to an earned run. The 25-year-old has struggled for the most part in Triple-A, with walks being a large culprit. PCL hitters are hitting .259 against him this season – not a terrible result in the hitter-friendly league. However, Knehr has walked 55 and given up 18 homers in 87.2 innings. Those results have led to an unsightly 6.88 ERA. The results have been especially tough in El Paso, where Knehr has allowed 33 earned runs in 31.2 innings. … Right-handed reliever Michel Baez had a brutal outing Monday. He recorded just two outs and allowed four runs, a walk, and four hits. The rough outing resulted in Baez’s ERA swelling to 8.85. The 26-year-old has had a few rough outings but he still possesses stuff that can play out of the bullpen in the big leagues. He has allowed 18 walks in 20.1 innings with El Paso, which has exacerbated his issue with preventing runs.
