Gabe Mosser has emerged as El Paso’s most reliable starter. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Chihuahuas 2, Round Rock Express 0
Key Stats: RHP Gabe Mosser (W, 4-3) 6 IP, 2 H, BB, 5 K; CF Jose Azocar 1-for-3, HBP; DH Cal Mitchell 3-for-4 R; 1B Graham Pauley 1-for-4, 3B
Prospect Watch: After putting up 15 runs in Tuesday’s victory, the El Paso offense was much more subdued Wednesday as they won 2-0 in the sort of pitchers’ duel you don’t often see in the Pacific Coast League. It was the club’s third shutout win of the year. … Righty Gabe Mosser earned his fourth win of the season with six innings of two-hit ball. The 28-year-old – who last threw six shutout innings way back on May 22, 2019 – has quietly been the most dependable starter on the Chihuahuas staff. He delivered four quality starts in five outings for the month and, while his 5.37 ERA isn’t pretty, it’s nearly a run and a half better than any other starter on the team. … There was not much offense for El Paso as they went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. The lone multi-hit game came from Cal Mitchell, who notched back-to-back multi-hit games for the first time in six weeks. The versatile outfielder has reached base six times in the series’ first two games. After the flurry of moves this week, Mitchell’s .877 OPS is best among qualifying hitters currently on the roster. … Jose Azocar made his first start since being optioned to San Diego. He had a single in three at-bats.
Missions 2, Midland Rockhounds 1
Key Stats: RHP Carter Loewen 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K; LHP Omar Cruz (W, 3-0) 4.2 IP, H, ER, 9 K; CF Ripken Reyes 1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, SB (11); LF Cole Cummings 1-for-4, 2B, R; C Brandon Valenzuela 1-for-4, 2B
Carter Loewen has been dominant for much of the year. (Photo: San Antonio Missions)
Prospect Watch: Carter Loewen made his third appearance as a multi-inning opener this month and seems to be embracing the role. Wednesday was his second scoreless start and the 25-year-old has allowed just four earned runs on 11 hits with 31 strikeouts over his last 21 innings. Opponents have hit just .130 and struck out 37.8% of the time in that span. Over the last two years, the Canadian righty has been one of the most effective pitchers in the organization, posting a 2.30 ERA and keeping opponents to a sub-.200 average. … Lefty Omar Cruz is also thriving as the bulk reliever following Loewen. Wednesday, he struck out nine over 4.2 frames, his best total since early in the 2021 season. Over his last three outings, the 25-year-old has struck out 21 batters and only walked one in 12.2 innings. His 60 strikeouts lead the Missions and his 35.1% strikeout rate is the best in the Texas League among pitchers who have thrown at least 25 innings. … Ripken Reyes reached base three times on a single and two walks, laid down a squeeze bunt, and stole his 11th base. After putting up a .349 slugging percentage last year, the versatile switch-hitter has slugged only .298 this season. Despite the lack of pop, he still has a solid .344 on-base percentage, fueled in part by a continued ability to get hit by pitches. … Catcher Brandon Valenzuela had a double in four trips to the plate, extending his on-base streak to 18 games. He has a .993 OPS over that stretch.
TinCaps rained out
Fort Wayne’s scheduled matinee was washed away by rain. They will play a doubleheader Thursday.
Storm 7, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5
Key Stats: SS Leodalis De Vries 0-for-3, BB, R; RF Jacob Campbell 2-for-4, HR (5), 2 R, 4 RBI; LF Braedon Karpathios 1-for-4, HR (3), RBI; 2B Chase Valentine 2-for-3, 2B 2 R, RBI; 1B Ethan Long, 2-for-4, R; RHP Jose Luis Reyes, 5 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 K; RHP Will Varmette (W, 2-2) 2 IP, R, 3 BB, 3 K; RHP Luis German (S, 1) 2 IP, BB, 2 K
Jacob Campbell has added pop to the Lake Elsinore lineup. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
Prospect Watch: The Storm fell behind 4-0 before mounting a comeback and pulling off their eighth consecutive win against the Dodgers’ Cal League affiliate. Jacob Campbell delivered a pair of hits, including a game-tying three-run home run in the sixth. It was the catcher/outfielder’s fifth home run and 11th extra-base hit in 31 games since his promotion to Lake Elsinore. The 24-year-old’s .818 OPS leads all players currently on the Storm roster. … Chase Valentine had a big game out of the ninth spot in the lineup, collecting a single and double in three trips to the plate. It was the 22-year-old’s third multi-hit game of the month, and he scored multiple runs for the first time since June 1. Valentine is hitting a solid .255/.390/.351 in his second year with the Storm. … After Jose Luis Reyes pitched the first five innings, righty Will Varmette came on with two innings of relief to notch his second win of the year. He allowed an unearned run while walking three, with three strikeouts. Varmette, 22, struggled badly to open the year as the organization experimented with him working as a starter, but he has allowed just three earned runs with 28 strikeouts over his last 21.1 innings . A hard-throwing undrafted free agent out of junior college last summer, Varmette can struggle with command – he’s walked 27 in 32.2 frames on the year – but opposing batters are hitting just .152 against him in six June outings.
ACL Padres were not in action.
