Chihuahuas 5, Las Vegas Aviators 4 (10 innings)
Key Statistics: RHP Gabe Mosser 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K; RHP Ethan Routzahn (W, 5-1), IP, K; LHP Austin Davis (S, 13), IP, 1 BB; C Luis Campusano, 2-for-5, 2B; 1B Kevin Plawecki, 2-for-4, 2 2B; RF Cal Mitchell, 2-for-4, 2 HR (19, 20), 2 R, 3 RBI
Calvin Mitchell has shown the ability to go down and drive pitches for El Paso. (Photo:Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas rallied in a big way and came up with their eighth straight win by defeating Vegas in 10 innings. The year-end surge ensures that El Paso will not finish the year in the PCL cellar. … Before the late-game offensive heroics, Gabe Mosser delivered his eighth quality start since the start of June, turning in six innings of two-run ball. The 28-year-old righty, drafted in the 27th round in 2018, is 7-7 with a 5.40 ERA in 28 games while throwing a career-high 133.1 innings, all with the Chihuahuas. Mosser is 1-1 with a 4.12 ERA in September, one of his finest months this year. The righty will be a minor league free agent this winter. … “Big Fudge” Austin Davis picked up his 13th save of the Triple-A season with a scoreless 10th. Relying primarily on his sinker and cutter, the Cal State Bakersfield alum has struck out 60 batters in 46.2 innings of work for El Paso in his first season in the Padres organization. … The star of the game was outfielder Cal Mitchell, who connected on a pair of homers, driving in three runs in the process. The former Pittsburgh Pirate has had a huge September, hitting .320/.390/.720 while pushing his career-high home run count to 20 in his first season in the Padres organization. Mitchell’s .851 OPS – good for about 10% above league average – is the best of his career outside of a 63-game stint with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2022. Mitchell is still 25 and could be in the mix for a coveted 40-man roster spot this off-season, otherwise, he will be a free agent. … Luis Campusano stayed hot after his four-hit effort Wednesday, going 2-for-5 with a double. The 25-year-old catcher owns a 1.006 OPS in 26 at-bats since joining El Paso after spending the majority of the season in the big leagues with the Padres. Campusano had a throwing error on an attempted pickoff as he continues to struggle defensively. … Veteran backstop Kevin Plawecki got the start at first base and slugged a pair of doubles in a 2-for-4 evening. The former Mets, Red Sox, Guardians, and Rangers catcher owns a .777 OPS in 256 at-bats for El Paso in his second go-around in the San Diego organization.
