Chihuahuas 13, Salt Lake Bees 2
Key Stats: RHP Stephen Kolek 5 IP, 4 H, 3 K, BB, HBP; RHP Harold Chirino IP, 2 K; CF Tirso Ornelas 3-for-4, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI; RF Yonathan Perlaza 3-for-3, HR (1), 2 BB, 6 RBI; C Rodolfo Durán 2-for-4, HR (1), 2B, 2 RBI
Steven Kolek delivers in his first official start in the Padres organization. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: Stephen Kolek and top Angels prospect Caden Dana locked up in a pitchers’ duel through the first four innings, but then El Paso jumped on the Bees’ bullpen to run away with the victory and secure an opening series win. Kolek, who nearly claimed a spot in the Padres’ starting rotation to open the year, worked five scoreless frames, striking out three while walking just one. Although he only had eight whiffs on 45 swings and 77 total pitches, he also got nine balls in play with exit velocities below 90 mph. The 27-year-old, who spent all of last year in the Padres’ bullpen after they selected him in the Rule 5 draft, showed off a five-pitch mix Sunday, using his cutter effectively against lefties all day. … Righty Harold Chirino worked the final inning for El Paso, throwing his second clean inning in his first season in the organization. The long-time Brewers farmhand, who signed as a minor league free agent this winter, pairs a fastball that sat at 96 mph Sunday with a big downer curve. While his arsenal can be impressive, the 27-year-old struggled to an ugly 17.3% walk rate in Triple-A last year.
Yonathan Perlaza unloaded on a homer in his El Paso debut. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Yonathan Perlaza made his system debut memorable, reaching base five times and driving in six to lead the offense. The switch-hitter, who signed a minor league deal with the Padres after spending last year in Korea, jumped at a first-pitch high fastball and pulled it into the home run porch in left field for a three-run shot that broke open the game in the fifth. All six of his RBIs on the day came with two outs. … With Perlaza playing right field, Tirso Ornelas slid over to center defensively. He added three singles to his early-season tally and has reached base safely in seven of his 14 trips to the plate.
