Sugar Land Space Cowboys 7, Chihuahuas 5
Jay Groome has struggled with his command in 2023. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Key Statistics: LHP Jay Groome (L, 4-10) 4.1 IP, 4 H, 6 ER, 8 BB, 3 K; LHP Adrian Morejon 0.2 IP, H, K; RF Tirso Ornelas 0-for-3, HBP, RBI, SB (8); 1B Carlos Luis 1-for-3, R, BB; C Michael Cantu 1-for-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB
Tirso Ornelas has hit numerous career highs in 2023. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: In Jay Groome‘s last appearance of the year, he set a career-high with eight walks, capping a nightmare season for the 25-year-old. While the big lefty had often dealt with command issues since the Red Sox drafted him in the first round in 2016, after he joined El Paso last year, he had his best career stretch and walked just 8.7% of the batters he faced. This year, that number spiked to nearly double at 16.7%. He has also allowed a career-high 171 hits, including 25 home runs. On Wednesday, Groome walked at least one batter in each inning. That led to a run in the first, but he pitched out of self-created jams in the next three innings. He then lost all control in the fifth, walking three and allowing a single. He left after walking in a run to see fellow lefty Adrian Morejon allow a two-run single. He finishes the year with an 8.55 ERA that is the highest among all pitchers who have thrown at least 75 innings in affiliated ball this season. … Tirso Ornelas went hitless in the game, but was hit by pitch to reach base. When he stole second base, he added yet another career best to his long list of his accolades in 2023, pushing his total to eight for the year year. It goes with other career highs in hits (133), runs (72), doubles (30), home runs (15), walks (67), and RBIs (74). … In a matter of days, Jarryd Dale, Carlos Luis, and Jose Sanabria have jumped from the low minors to help fill out the Chihuahuas roster to finish out their last week as they try to avoid finishing with the PCL’s worst record. All three players walked and scored a run in the game, leading to three of El Paso’s five runs.
Missions day off
Ryan Bergert will get the start in Game 2 for San Antonio. (Photo: Joe Alexander)
After winning the first game in their best-of-three playoff series Monday, the Missions traveled home to San Antonio and will attempt to close their playoff series against the Amarillo Sod Poodles and advance to the Texas League Championship series. Ryan Bergert will toe the slab for the Missions on Thursday.
Nathan Martorella, who contributed one of San Antonio’s five home runs on Monday, and outfielder Jakob Marsee were both named to the Midwest League All-Star team. It’s the first time two TinCaps have earned honors in the same season since 2019. Marsee is on the active roster for the Missions’ playoff series, but hasn’t played in over a week with a hamstring issue.
