Chihuahuas 11, Round Rock Express 8
Key Stats: RHP Nolan Watson (W, 2-0) 5 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, BB, 4 K; RHP Jeremiah Estrada IP, 2 H, ER, K; RHP Lake Bachar 2 IP, H, K; 2B Clay Dungan 2-for-5, 2 HR (2), 6 RBI; C Brett Sullivan 1-for-3, 2 R, BB; RF Óscar Mercado 1-for-3, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI
Oscar Mercado brings significant big league experience to the Chihuahuas. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas scored six runs across the first two innings on just two hits on the way to their first home victory of the year. The six runs were capped off by second baseman Clay Dungan, who hit a three-run shot. After Round Rock closed the score to within one, Dungan hit another three-run home run to give the Chihuahuas some much-needed insurance. Both home runs traveled over 400 feet. Dungan, who the Padres plucked from the Royals in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft, is not known for his power. The last time he had multiple home runs in a month was June, 2022 when he hit four. The 27-year-old has primarily been a second baseman, but has spent time at shortstop, third base, as well as center and left. … Outfielder Óscar Mercado also connected on his first home run of the season. He now has four extra-base hits in five games so far this season. The 29-year-old, who re-signed as a minor league free agent this winter, saw time with El Paso as he cycled through three organizations last season. He played well this spring, hitting .320/.433/.640 in 25 at-bats. He owns a .677 OPS in 890 big league at-bats across parts of the last five seasons.
Lake Bachar works on mechanics during Spring Training. (Photo: MadFriars)
Besides Dungan’s offensive heroics, the game’s story was 28-year-old Lake Bachar. Bachar,who has been with the organization for nearly eight years, threw two scoreless innings. The Wisconsin native featured a fastball that topped out at 96 mph and averaged over 2600 RPM. That spin is similar to the spin rates of Padres star pitcher Joe Musgrove. His slider hit nearly 3000 RPM showing that both pitches are MLB quality and can even become elite offerings. In two appearances so far this year after a strong 2023 campaign in San Antonio, Bachar has allowed one base-runner over 3.1 innings. … The other big-pitch pitcher the Chihuahuas used was righty Jeremiah Estrada. The former Cub averaged 97 on his fastball and topped at 98 mph. Estrada allowed two doubles and an earned run in his lone inning of work on the mound.
