Chihuahuas 5, Tacoma Rainers 2 (Game 1; 8 innings)
Key Statistics: RF Nick Schnell 1-for-2, 3B, BB, HBP, SB (2); 2B Sung-Mun Song 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI; C Rodolfo Durán 1-for-4, 2 RBI; RHP Griffin Canning 2.1 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K; RHP Jason Adam 0.2 IP, H, K; RHP Justin Yeager (W, 1-0) 1.1 IP, K; RHP Alek Jacob IP H, R, BB, 3 K
Chihuahuas 2, Tacoma Rainers 1, (Game 2; 7 innings)
Key Statistics: CF Nick Schnell 0-for-2, 2 BB; 3B Marcos Castañon 2-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI; RF Carlos Rodriguez 1-for-3, 2B; LF Samad Taylor 1-for-3, 2B; RHP Evan Fitterer 3 IP, H, BB, 4 K; RHP Eli Villalobos (W, 1-1) 2 IP, H, BB, 2, K; RHP Logan Gillaspie (S,1) 2 IP 2 H, R, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
Logan Gillaspie in action last year with El Paso. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas swept their doubleheader on the road, getting a boost from four Padres – Griffin Canning, Yuki Matsui, Jason Adam, and Sung-Mun Song – on rehab assignments. The first game was tied at the end of seven scheduled innings, but El Paso put up four runs in the eighth thanks to a throwing error and RBI singles from Song and Rodolfo Durán. In the nightcap, the visitors got all the runs they’d need on Marcos Castañon’s opposite-field two-run home run. Logan Gillaspie threw the final two innings, ending it by striking out former Poway High star and ex-Chihuahua Connor Joe with three straight strikes. … Canning started the first game, throwing 51 pitches as he continued his build-up in recovery from last year’s Achilles injury. The six-year big league veteran landed 33 for strikes, drew nine whiffs on 26 swings, and sat at 94 mph with his fastball. Canning’s feel was a bit off as he landed just 45% of his pitches in the zone on the way to walking two and issuing a wild pitch. … Matsui worked one scoreless frame, working around one hit with a pair of strikeouts. He’ll likely have a slow rehab process. … Adam may have been the most impressive, throwing 18 pitches, with 13 for strikes and a punchout. The reliever was lifted after three batters as he is scheduled to throw again on Sunday to check that last box before he is ready to return from the IL. … Alek Jacob got the save, striking out the last two batters of the contest. … Outfielder Nick Schnell had a nice day, collecting a triple as he reached base five times in seven plate appearances. The 26-year-old, originally a first-round pick by the Rays out of high school way back in 2018, had his best professional season in the Nationals organization last year, posting a .799 OPS. The left-handed hitter has seen time at all three outfield spots and first base over his career. … In his seven games with El Paso, Song has nine hits – eight singles – in seven games. The left-handed hitter has punched out eight times against three walks in 31 trips to the plate while seeing time defensively at second, third, and shortstop. … El Paso has won four of the first five games of the series.
Tulsa Drillers 4, Missions 0
Key Statistics: LF Kai Murphy 2-for-4, SB (2); 3B Luis Verdugo 1-2, 2 BB; C Ethan Salas 0-for-4, 4 K; RHP Ian Koenig (L, 0-1) 5 IP, 4 H, 4 R (3 ER), 5 K; RHP Andrew Thurman 1.2 IP, K
Kai Murphy returns for his second season in the Alamo City. (Photo: San Antonio Missions)
Prospect Watch: There wasn’t much to write home about for the Missions as they managed only five singles against the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate on the night. Tulsa got on the board when former Poway High star and son of Phil, Kyle Nevin, blasted a home run to right-center field off of starter Ian Koenig. Kyle is the second of Phil’s sons to play professional baseball. A three-run home run by Tulsa ended the scoring in the fourth. Koenig did come back to work a perfect fifth, ending his night with back-to-back strikeouts. The 24-year-old undrafted free agent punched out five without a walk. … Ethan Salas had a tough night, striking out in all four of his plate appearances, including once with the bases loaded. Salas missed all of last year and struggled in 2024 in High-A with the TinCaps, but has put on 10 to 15 pounds since last year and looked significantly better in spring training. After collecting a hit in the season opener, he sat out game two as the organization eases him back into action. … Kai Murphy, 25, had a pair hits as he continued a nice start to the year. He’s reached base six times and collected a pair of stolen bases over three games in his second season with the Missions.
TinCaps rained out
The TinCaps game at the Great Lakes Loons was postponed due to inclement weather. They will play a doubleheader Sunday.
Ontario Tower Buzzers 6, Storm 4
Key Statistics: CF Ryan Wideman 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, BB; C Ty Harvey 2-for-5, RBI, SB (2); 3B Justin DeCriscio 2-for-4; 1B Luke Cantwell 2-for-4, 2B, RBI; RHP Tyler Schmitt 3.1 IP, H, 2 R, 4 BB, 7 K, HR; RHP Javier Chacon 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), BB, 4 K; LHP Jamie Hitt 2 IP, H, 4 K; RHP Landry Jurecka (L, 0-1) IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K, 2 HR
Ryan Wideman is one of the better athletes in the Padres’ system. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
Prospect Watch: The Dodgers’ new Low-A affiliate broke a 4-4 tie with back-to-back home runs off Landry Jurecka to open the eighth inning. The Tower Buzzers claimed the brief series win after dropping the first game. … Ryan Wideman, 22, had a big night, reaching base twice and connecting on his first professional home run. The blast was a no-doubt shot to left-center in the fifth inning. The 6-foot-4 Wideman, taken out of Western Kentucky University in the third round last year, is one of the better athletes in the system, but still somewhat raw in terms of his baseball skills. A key for him this year will be to control his chase rate so his tools can play. … Ty Harvey had a pair of hits and is off to a nice start. He also stole a base to give him two in three games. The Florida prep star earned the second-highest bonus in the Padres’ draft class last year. This spring, he still seemed to be getting his timing down with the increased velocity, but he looked solid behind the plate and will definitely be someone to watch this year. … Jamie Hitt, 23, delivered a nice outing in his professional debut, tossing two scoreless innings with four strikeouts. An eighth round senior sign out of Oklahoma last year, the left-hander was a reliable reliever, posting a 35:12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 35.1 innings for the Sooners in his fifth collegiate season.
