San Diego Padres Daily Farm Report: August 29

Reno Aces 9, Chihuahuas 4

Key Statistics: CF Daniel Johnson, 2-for-4, R, BB, 2B, SB (3); SS Ray-Patrick Didder, 1-for-5, R, HR (5), 2 RBI; C Brett Sullivan, 3-for-5, R, HR (7), RBI; LHP Jay Groome, 3.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 6 BB, 7 K; LHP Drew Pomeranz (L, 0-1) 0.2 IP, H, 2 ER, 2 BB, K; RHP Sean Reynolds, IP, 5 H, 4 ER

Prospect Watch: El Paso carried a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning until the Aces scored three to tie it. They took the lead for good in the fifth and added four runs in the eighth to pull away from the Chihuahuas. … Fresh off earning recognition as the MadFriars Player of the Week for his effort in his first week as a Chihuahua, Daniel Johnson continued his hot hitting. Johnson had a double, a single, and he drew a walk. In seven games with El Paso, Johnson has a 1.213 OPS. … Brett Sullivan had three hits, including his seventh homer of the year. The 29-year-old has been a consistent offensive contributor in the minors since joining the organization last season. Sullivan came into Tuesday’s game with a wRC+ of 119, including a 10% K-rate. He has hit everywhere in the PCL, posting a .911 OPS at home and a .910 OPS in road games. … On the pitching side of things, Jay Groome struggled to command his fastball and couldn’t get out of the fourth inning. The lefthander only allowed two hits, but he walked six batters. On a positive note, he did strike out seven batters. After an encouraging July (3.77 ERA), Groome has struggled mightily in August. After Tuesday’s start, his ERA for the month sits at a ghastly 9.74 as he’s walked 24 batters in 20.1 innings. … Drew Pomeranz made his first TripleA rehab appearance Tuesday night, and the results weren’t encouraging. Pomeranz walked the first batter he faced and gave up a home run to former big-leaguer Pavin Smith. Pomeranz recorded a pair of outs but was removed after throwing 25 pitches. His fastball worked between 89 and 92 mph and he drew just two swing-and-miss strikes. 

Wichita Wind Surge 5, Missions 2

Key Statistics: 1B Nathan Martorella, 1-for-4, 2B, RBI; 3B Graham Pauley, 2-for-3, R, BB, SB (2); LF Ripken Reyes, 2-for-2; C Ethan Salas, 1-for-4, RBI; RHP Gabe Mosser (L, 0-3) 6 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K; RHP Seth Mayberry, 2 IP, 2 H, R, 3 K

Prospect Watch: It was a quiet night for the Missions’ bats, as they managed just six hits in a loss to Wichita. … Graham Pauley had the most productive night with a pair of hits and a walk in the loss. After hitting 16 homers in 46 games with the TinCaps, Pauley is off to a bit of a slow start with the Missions. The multi-hit effort pushed the former Duke infielder’s OPS to .642 in six Texas League games. No matter what happens down the stretch for the Missions, Pauley’s first entire season has been a resounding success. Between Lake Elsinore, Fort Wayne, and San Antonio, Pauley has delivered a .914 OPS. … Ripken Reyes made the start in left field and reached base with a pair of singles, and he chipped in with a sacrifice bunt. Tuesday’s game raised his on-base percentage to .427. … Righty Gabe Mosser took the loss but pitched better than his stat line indicated. The 27-year-old pitched six innings and allowed four runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out four. In eight games (seven starts) for the Missions, Mosser has pitched to a 5.10 ERA. 

South Bend Cubs 8, TinCaps 3

Key Statistics: RF Tyler Robertson, 2-for-4, 2 R, 3B, SB (3); 2B Nerwillian Cedeño, 1-for-4, HR (4), 3 RBI; C Colton Bender, 1-for-3; RHP Edwuin Bencomo (L, 2-3) 5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, BB, K; RHP Cole Paplham, IP, K

Prospect Watch: The Cubs jumped out to an early lead in the first and cruised to a win on a rainy night at Parkview Field. … Right fielder Tyler Robertson had a pair of hits, including a triple. He also stole his third base as a TinCap. The 6-foot-4 outfielder opened eyes with the Storm, showing tremendous athleticism and power while playing well defensively in the outfield. Robertson has struggled a bit in his promotion to Fort Wayne. In a small seven-game sample, the Montgomery, Alabama native has a .619 OPS with 10 strikeouts in 28 plate appearances. … Second baseman Nerwillian Cedeño only had one hit, but it left the yard. The second baseman connected on a solo homer – his fourth of the season – and had a pair of run-scoring groundouts. The switch-hitting infielder has battled injuries frequently throughout his career, and 2023 has been no exception. The 21-year-old infielder has played in just 51 games this season with the TinCaps. When healthy, he shows good pop and may be able to continue to play multiple infield positions as he develops. He has a .668 OPS this season. … Hard-throwing righty Cole Paplham easily pitched the final inning, striking out one in the process. The former University of New Orleans righty has opened his High-A career with five scoreless outings. He’s allowed just two hits, walking one and striking out five. Overall, this season, the former undrafted free agent has a 3.46 ERA in 27 innings between Lake Elsinore and Fort Wayne. 

Storm 1, San Jose Giants 0

Key Statistics: RF Nick Vogt, 1-for-3, 2B, RBI; DH Braedon Karpathios, 1-for-3, 2B; 2B Wyatt Hoffman, 1-for-3; RHP Miguel Mendez, 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K; LHP CD Pelham (W, 1-0) IP; RHP Ruben Galindo (S, 4) IP, BB, K

Prospect Watch: Somewhere in North County, Randy Jones is smiling. The Storm won 1-0 in a nine-inning game completed in one hour and 52 minutes. … Lake Elsinore scored their only run in the sixth inning on an RBI double from Nick Vogt. Vogt, 23, had a good series last week in Rancho Cucamonga, and he’s been hitting in the middle of the lineup for Lake Elsinore. Vogt’s solid night at the plate raised his OPS for August to .804. … Second baseman Wyatt Hoffman singled in three at-bats. It was his first hit with the Storm since July 14. The 24-year-old infielder spent a month on the shelf, seeing some rehab action in the ACL. Hoffman has provided value in the field and on the basepaths (20 steals in 20 attempts), but he hasn’t brought much offensively. In 57 games with the Storm, the former Cathedral Catholic infielder is hitting .152/.295/.177. … Righty Miguel Mendez turned in one of his best starts of the year, but the lack of offense resulted in a no-decision. Mendez pitched five shutout innings, allowing just two hits. He walked two and struck out four. It was the third time in 14 starts that Mendez has pitched at least five innings. The 21-year-old has flashed premium velocity, but the results haven’t been consistent. In 52.2 innings, he’s pitched to a 5.81 ERA.