Reno Aces 7, Chihuahuas 2
Key Statistics: CF Brandon Lockridge 2-for-4, R, 2B; RF Cal Mitchell 1-for-3, BB; DH Kevin Plawecki 1-for-3, R, BB; RHP Gabe Mosser (L, 6-7) 4.2 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 K; LHP Paul Fry 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K
Brandon Lockridge has been a key contributor since his arrival. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas fell behind 7-0 early as they hit the road to take on the Reno Aces and lost the series opener. … Center fielder Brandon Lockridge had a pair of hits including a double for El Paso’s only extra-base hit of the night. The 27-year-old has a five-game hitting streak and is hitting a robust .314/.417/.412 since joining the Padres’ organization. The speedy outfielder was added to the 40-man roster last week, perhaps setting him up to be added to a potential playoff roster as a pinch-runner. … Righty Gabe Mosser got hit hard in 4.2 innings and took the loss. Mosser allowed seven runs on eight hits, walking four and striking out three. The 28-year-old has had some quality outings for the Chihuahuas this season, but overall he’s posted a 5.93 ERA and his 1.50 WHIP is troublesome. However, Mosser leads the team with 118 innings pitched, and the .283 opponent’s batting average is actually respectable compared to his Chihuahuas counterparts.
Tulsa Drillers 6, Missions 0
Key Statistics: CF Connor Hollis 1-for-2, 2 BB; 3B Marcos Castañon 1-for-4, 2B; RF Robert Perez Jr. 1-for-4, 2B; LHP Miguel Cienfuegos (L, 3-2) 4.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K; LHP Jason Blanchard 1.2 IP
Connor Hollis has found his stroke late in the season. (Photo: Rey Holguin)
Prospect Watch: The Missions managed just three hits, losing their fifth straight in the process. San Antonio has scored one run or less in three of their last four games. … While the Missions’ offense has been frigid lately, Connor Hollis has swung the bat well. The veteran reached base three times Tuesday with a single and a pair of walks. Hollis, 29, has hit safely in five of his last six games. The former Rays farmhand hasn’t found the same success this year that he had in 2022 when he won the Texas League batting title. Overall, he has a .624 OPS this season. … Lefty Miguel Cienfuegos struggled against Tulsa and lost his second Double-A game of the season. Cienfuegos pitched 4.1 innings and allowed five runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out three. The well-traveled Cienfuegos has spent the most time with the Missions in 2024. He has posted a lackluster 5.21 ERA in 11 games (six starts).
Roster Move: The Missions placed pitcher Victor Lizarraga on the seven-day injured list, effectively ending his season. The 20-year-old righty missed his last two turns in the rotation. He posted a 4.03 ERA in 96 innings for the Missions this year.
TinCaps 6, South Bend Cubs 5 (11 innings)
Key Statistics: C Ethan Salas 1-for-4, R, BB, RBI, SB (10); 1B Devin Ortiz 3-for-6, 3 RBI; 2B Nerwilian Cedeño 3-for-5, 2B; RHP Isaiah Lowe 5 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K; RHP Manuel Castro 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 4 K; RHP Joan Gonzalez (W, 4-2) IP
Isaiah Lowe in his High-A debut. (Photo: Adam Gaddy)
Prospect Watch: The TinCaps got a walk-off double from outfielder Tyler Robertson to win the first game of their last homestand of the year. The club rallied from behind three times despite leaving 15 runners on base. … First baseman Devin Ortiz singled three times and drove in three runs in the victory. Ortiz has been red-hot over the last week and he is currently riding a five-game hitting streak in which he is 13-for-23 with four doubles and six RBIs. During that span, Ortiz has a four-hit game and a pair of three-hit games, helping to raise his season average from .226 to .246. …Second baseman Nerwilian Cedeño also had a three-hit night. The switch-hitting infielder is carrying a season-high nine-game hitting streak as he looks to finish the season on a high note. Cedeño, 21, has shown solid offensive skills previously, most notably in 2022 with the Storm, but he has struggled this year despite staying healthy all season. The hitting streak has increased Cedeño’s batting average from .195 to .211. He is still young enough to have some upside but his offensive game has not taken flight during his two years in Fort Wayne. … Isaiah Lowe made the start and gave the TinCaps five solid innings before giving way to the bullpen. Lowe allowed two runs, scattering eight hits. He walked two and struck out five. The outing represented a milestone for Lowe, as he surpassed 100 innings for the first time as a professional – a goal he set coming into the season. Overall, the season was a resounding success for Lowe; He has a 3.38 ERA over 101.1 innings between Lake Elsinore and Fort Wayne.
Storm 14, Inland Empire 66ers 8
Key Statistics: 1B Jack Costello 2-for-3, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 RBI; C Brendan Durfee 3-for-6, 2 R, HR (2), 3 RBI; DH Lamar King Jr. 3-for-5, R, 2B; LF Braedon Karpathios 2-for-5, R; RF Sean Barnett 2-for-5, R; SS Brandon Butterworth 2-for-4, 2 R, BB; 2B Chase Valentine 2-for-4, 3 R, BB, 2 RBI; LHP Luis Gutierrez (W, 3-3) 5 IP, 4 H, ER, 5 K
Jack Costello continues to rake for Lake Elsinore. (Robert Escalante)
Prospect Watch: The Storm used an 18-hit attack to beat the 66ers on the road. Every Storm batter had at least one hit, with seven notching multi-hit efforts. … Catcher Brendan Durfee singled twice and connected on his second homer of the year to cap an eight-run fifth inning. The 14th-round pick out of UC Santa Barbara has thrived since joining the organization in July’s draft. Overall, he is hitting .303/.429/.514. … Jack Costello reached base five times with three walks and a pair of singles. He also drove in three runs. The 23-year-old has been incredible since joining the organization as an under-slot signing. In 22 games with the Storm, he has six homers, five doubles, a triple, and a .989 OPS. … Lamar King also had three hits, notching a pair of singles and a double in five plate appearances. The 20-year-old has been relegated to first base and designated hitter duties this season but he has swung the bat quite well in his time with the Storm. In 22 games with the Storm, King has a .822 OPS. … Lefty Luis Gutierrez earned his third Cal League win of the season, pitching five strong innings. He allowed four hits, striking out five without issuing a walk. After starting the year in extended spring training and making a few ACL starts, the 20-year-old has worked 62.1 innings for the Storm across 14 games (13 starts). He’s shaved two full runs off his ERA since the start of August, allowing just five earned runs and posting a 22:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 25.2 innings. This week, subscribers had a chance to read about his journey since signing as one of the top pitchers in the 2019 international class.
