Chihuahuas 12 , Oklahoma City Baseball Club 3
Key Stats: SS Matthew Batten 3-for-6, 3B, R, 5 RBI; CF Jose Azocar 2-for-5, R, 2 SB (4,5); LF Tirso Ornelas 2-for-4, R; 3B Eguy Rosario 1-for-4, HR (12), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB; DH Graham Pauley 3-for-5, 2 R; C Kevin Plawecki 1-for-3, HR (5), 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB; RF Cal Mitchell 2-for-3, 3 R, 2B, 2 BB
Matthew Batten had three hits to lead the El Paso offense.. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas’ offense exploded against the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate for a run-away victory. Eguy Rosario started the scoring with a two-run shot against former Padre prospect River Ryan for his seventh Triple-A home run A off right-handed pitchers. While some fans focus on Rosario’s performance against left-handed pitching – and he has a massive 1.311 OPS against southpaws – he also has been putting up great numbers against righties. He is batting .278/.409/.556. against same-sided pitching with El Paso. He was back in the lineup at third base Wednesday after a pair of starts in the outfield. … El Paso saddled rehabbing big leaguer Joe Kelly with the loss. He gave up a single and three walks while getting only one out. After he left with the bases loaded, Matthew Batten hit a two-out, bases-clearing triple to put El Paso up and ensure Kelly was tagged for four earned runs. The big knock was part of a five-RBI game for the versatile Batten. The Quinnipiac alum has struggled through most of the year, but games like tonight serve as a reminder of the talent. … Graham Pauley had his first three-hit game in six weeks. The left-handed hitter has now reached base in eight straight games, posting a 1.042 OPS in that stretch. After posting an ugly 23:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio last month, he’s back to showing more patience and bat-to-ball skills so far in July. … Sean Reynolds pitched a scoreless ninth. The former position player acquired has largely struggled since coming over in the Ryan Weathers trade last year, but has come on as of late. Over his last 8.2 innings, Reynolds has not allowed a run while surrendering three hits, two walks, and striking out 13. Reynolds consistently hits the upper 90s, but until this streak had been walking nearly a hitter an inning on the year.
Amarillo Sod Poodles 8, Missions 1
Key Stats: RHP Victor Lizarraga 5.2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 5 K; DH Brandon Valenzuela 1-for-3, HR (8), RBI, BB; 2B Connor Hollis 1-for-2, 2 BB
Brandon Valenzuela. (Photo: Vashaun Newman)
Prospect Watch: After exiting after only three innings in his last start, Victor Lizarraga was back to a full workload. Unfortunately, he turned in the worst start of his season. The 20-year-old had allowed three home runs in 62 innings entering the game,, but Amarillo got to him for three more on the night. The six hits are tied for his season high, and the three walks are one off his high. With a four-day all-star break coming up, Lizarraga can hopefully get back on track. … There was not much offense for the Missions, who went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and had only one extra-base hit. That was catching prospect Brandon Valenzuela‘s eighty homer of the year. At the end of May, his line fell to a season low of 219/.294/.336. Since then he is hitting over .300 with a .401 OBP and slugging .514. A defense-first catcher, the 23-year-old has turned heads with his hitting and how he handles the pitching staff.
TinCaps rained out
Rain in Great Lakes washed out the game. They will make it up as a doubleheader Thursday.
Fresno Grizzlies 6, Storm 3 (10 innings)
Key Stats: 2B Xander Bogaerts 2-for-4, R; SS Leodalis De Vries 1-for-4, R, BB; 1B Ethan Long 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB; RHP Jose Luis Reyes 6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 5 K
David Jay was in Lake Elsinore as Xander Bogaerts‘ rehab tour continued. He has the game recap.
ACL Padres 3, ACL Brewers 2 (7 innings)
Key Stats: 1B L.J. Jones 2-for-4, 2B, R; RF Colton Vincent 1-for-3, R; DH Hugo Sanchez 2-for-3, 2 RBI; RHP Aldo Leija, 4 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 2 K; RHP Zac Addkison (W, 1-0) 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K; LHP Adler Cecil (S, 2) 0.1 IP, BB
Prospect Watch: With just two weeks remaining in the ACL season, there are precious few games remaining for players to make a case to get out to full-sesaon affiliates or, in some cases, stay in the organization. For L.J. Jones, it’s a matter of being healthy enough to help in Double-A. The San Diego native, who had two more hits Wednesday, has destroyed complex league pitching since signing with the club early last month, hitting .464/.500/.804. However, the former Cardinal farmhand was sidelined by a minor injury just as he was ready to escape Phoenix, and is just getting ready again for a more appropriate level of competition. … Switch-hitter Colton Vincent continued his strong campaign in the desert and now is hitting .350 with a .900 OPS. The 24-year-old has hit safely in every game in July, posting a modest .520/.563/.680 line for the month. … Righty Aldo Leija turned in a solid start for the ACL squad, pitching four solid innings. He allowed an earned run on three hits. He walked two and struck out two. The righty from Monterrey, Mexico has a 4.58 ERA in 12 games (three starts) this season.
