Chihuahuas 7, Las Vegas Aviators 5 (10 innings)
Key Statistics: C Luis Campusano 2-for-4, R, BB, RBI; RF Cal Mitchell, 1-for-3, 2 R, HR (18), 2 BB; 2B Clay Dungan, 2-for-4, R, RBI; RHP Carl Edwards Jr., 3.2 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 6 K; RHP Jared Kollar, 3 IP, BB, 2 K; RHP Francis Pena (W, 3-2) 2 IP, 2 K; LHP Austin Davis (S, 12) IP, BB
Francis Pena has impressed with his high-octane repertoire. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas won the first game of their season’s final series, defeating the Aviators in suburban Las Vegas. … The key to this game was the work turned in by the El Paso bullpen. After Carl Edwards Jr. allowed five runs in 3.2 innings, four relievers combined to toss 6.1 innings of scoreless, hitless baseball. El Paso relievers issued just two walks. The best work was turned in by Jared Kollar, who pitched three scoreless innings in the victory. Kollar issued one walk while striking out two. The former Rutgers righty has turned in a solid season, winning a career-high 11 contests while pitching to a 3.52 ERA in 28 games (22 starts) between San Antonio and El Paso. Kollar doesn’t strike out many batters, but he has been able to limit the damage against him by keeping the ball in the park. He’s allowed just 11 homers in 127.2 innings between the two levels. He’s thrown more than 50% more pitches this year than he did in the 2023 campaign. … Righty Francis Pena earned the victory, tossing two scoreless innings before giving way to closer Austin Davis. Pena did not allow a baserunner, striking out two with a sinker that sat at 96 mph. The 23-year-old began the year in Fort Wayne and will finish the year in Triple-A, thanks to his excellent performance. Between Fort Wayne, San Antonio, and El Paso, Pena has a 2.36 ERA in 43 games. … Cal Mitchell reached base three times and he connected on his 18th homer of the season. Mitchell, 25, has hit well in September. Including Tuesday, the former Pirate is hitting .333/.400/.667 with four homers and 12 RBI. Unless he is added to the 40-man roster this off-season, Mitchell will be headed to free agency for the second consecutive offseason.
Storm 9, Modesto Nuts 2 (Best-of-three series tied at 1)
Key Statistics: 1B Jack Costello 2-for-3, R, BB, 2B, RBI; C Brendan Durfee 2-for-5, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI; DH Lamar King Jr. 2-for-5, R, RBI; LF Braedon Karpathios 2-for-5, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI; RF Sean Barnett 2-for-4, BB, RBI; LHP Luis Gutierrez (W, 2-0) 5 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K; RHP Kleiber Olmedo, 3 IP, 3 H, ER, 6 K
Jack Costello had plenty to celebrate in Tuesday’s game. (Photo: Robert Escalante)
Prospect Watch: After a heartbreaking loss on Sunday, the Storm bounced back to defeat the Nuts in Modesto on Tuesday. The two teams will play on Wednesday night for the California League championship. … Jack Costello singled, doubled, drew a walk, and he drove in a run. The 23-year-old out of USD had a .917 OPS in 25 games for the Storm this season. In 121 plate appearances for the Storm, Costello drew 14 walks while striking out just eight times. … After a rough game on Sunday, catcher Brendan Durfee made an impact Tuesday with two hits and a pair of RBIs. The UC Santa Barbara grad was drafted in the 14th round in July and he’s impressed in his first pro season. In 20 games for the Storm, the 23-year-old hit .288/.413/.479 with two homers and 18 RBI. …Right fielder Sean Barnett singled twice, drew a walk, and chipped in with an RBI. The Division-II Wingate University outfielder homered on Sunday and has hit the ball hard in a limited sample for the Storm. Barnett will be given the chance to develop as a two-way player but thus far, he’s impressed with his bat. He was drafted in the 11th round in July. … Luis Gutierrez turned in another solid start, earning his second win of the postseason. The 21-year-old southpaw pitched five innings, allowing a run on four hits. He walked two and struck out three batters. Gutierrez finished the 2024 campaign on a high note, winning his final three games.
