Sugar Land Space Cowboys 8, Chihuahuas 5
Key Statistics: RF Yonathan Perlaza 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI; CF Tirso Ornelas 2-for-3, 2 BB; 2B Ripken Reyes 1-for-2, R, BB, 2 RBI; RHP Matt Waldron 5 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K; RHP Andrew Moore IP, H, BB, K; RHP Francis Peña (L, 4-4) 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, BB, K
Yonathan Perlaza. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: Friday’s game had seven lead changes, but the Space Cowboys got the last laugh when they plated three in the bottom of the eighth and held on to beat the Chihuahuas. … Yonathan Perlaza had a single and collected his 49th double of the season in a multi-hit effort. With two games, Perlaza is just one double away from becoming the first player with 50 in a PCL season since former big leaguer Delwyn Young, who hit 54 way back in 2007. The 26-year-old Perlaza has been the Chihuahuas’ most reliable offensive threat not named Luis Campusano. He is carrying a superb .908 OPS, good for seventh on the circuit, into the final weekend of the season. … Righty Matt Waldron went away from his knuckleball early and didn’t have a great night on the mound. In five innings, he threw his signature pitch just 31 times in 86 pitches and allowed five runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out four. The righty has an ugly 6.67 ERA for El Paso, but the picture isn’t as grim as it appears. His 4.76 FIP is much more encouraging, as he has been victimized with a BABIP over .370. He’s averaged close to a strikeout per inning, and his walk rate nearly mirrors the mark he put up last season in the big leagues. After starting 26 games for the Padres last year, the former Nebraska righty made just one big league start this season. If the Padres clinch a playoff berth in the next few days, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Waldron get the ball down the stretch to give the club a chance to set their postseason rotation. … Francis Peña allowed three runs in the eighth inning and took the loss. Peña notched one strikeout in his 1.2 innings of work as his fastball touched 95 mph and sat 93-94. After dominating last year in Double-A, the 24-year-old had a rough campaign in his first full season at the Triple-A level. His walk rate doubled from 7% to over 14% this season and his 20% K-rate is mediocre for a back of the bullpen arm. He is Rule 5 eligible this offseason so the organization will have an interesting decision to make this winter. … The hardest pitch of the night came courtesy of reliever Andrew Moore, who touched 99 mph in his inning of work. The former Reds farmhand struck out a batter and walked one in his inning of work. Moore’s stuff is intriguing out of the ‘pen, but a glaring lack of command seems destined to hold him back. While he owns an excellent 30% K-rate, he has also walked nearly 20% of the batters he’s faced at three different stops this year. He was acquired in May for Connor Joe, who was subsequently outrighted off the Reds’ 40-player roster.
For subscribers, don’t miss the interview with Padres 13th-rounder Dylan Grego, who went from backup collegiate infielder to third team All-America honors, to the transfer portal, to a professional all in the course of 16 months.
