EL PASO – The Chihuahuas put five runs on the board in the first inning, then held on for an 8-5 win over the Reno Aces as lefty JP Sears became the first El Paso starter to throw six innings this season.
“He was attacking more, and I liked what I saw, “ said El Paso manager Pete Zamora on Sears’ performance. “He has an idea of what he is trying to do out there, and he is one of the most prepared guys that you will see. He was walking around the clubhouse with [catcher Rodolfo] Durán three hours before the game, talking about what he wanted to do.”
JP Sears went six innings on Thursday. (Photo: Deana Almaguer)
Sears didn’t allow a hit through the first three, but in the fourth Reno connected for a pair of home runs and a double to plate four runs.
He bounced back in the fifth and sixth innings, not allowing another run to close out what was his best start of the year after. It was a strong bounce-back after giving up seven earned runs against Round Rock in 3.1 innings last week.
“My favorite thing about JP is just the way he is going to compete,” said Zamora. “It’s one of his best attributes, and he probably left some balls over the middle that he didn’t want to, but overall it was an improvement over his earlier outings.”
After their five-run outburst in the first, El Paso tacked on another run when El Paso outfielder Jase Bowen led off the second inning by hitting the first pitch 425 feet to left-center. In the first inning, Bowen had put together a particularly impressive at-bat, seeing nine pitches before lacing a single to center field.
The 25-year-old Ohio native, one of the better athletes in the system, has impressed in his first season in the organization. Bowen was drafted by the Pirates in 2017 who signed him away from his Michigan State football commitment.
Samad Taylor was a player San Diego targeted in the offseason. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Bowen’s night encapsulated his season well. To go along with five total bases, he had an error in right and struck out in his final three plate appearances.
“Another kudos to [Padres Director of Pro Scouting] Pete DeYoung for bringing in someone that is still very young, along with being very athletic,” said Zamora. “Jase has been nothing but a breath of fresh air for us. He has things to work on like everyone else, but when you talk about raw tools, the ability to square up a baseball, run like the wind, and play a good outfield. This is what it looks like.”
Another veteran who had a big evening was Samad Taylor, who went 3-for-3 as the designated hitter. He has played all three outfield positions and can also play second was particularly aggressive on the bases, scoring twice. Taylor, 27, was signed by the Padres organization in the offseason from the Seattle Mariners.
“In 2024 and 2025, he absolutely destroyed us with Tacoma with his leadoff hitting, bunting, and stealing – giving tough at-bats – he was just a tough player to defend,” said Zamora.
“When Pete DeYoung saw he was coming off the Seattle [40-man] roster, I said ‘sign him now, I’m tired of this guy beating me, and I want him on my team.’
“He’s everything we thought he would be, and you put Bowen and Samad at the top of the order, we have something there.”
Notes:
Lefty Yuki Matsui worked an inning as he appeared in back-to-back games for the first time all year. The rehabbing big-leaguer struck out two, but also gave up his homer. He has punched out 10 and only allowed one walk over 7.2 innings, but has surrendered 12 hits. … After spending time on the taxi squad with the Padres, Durán drew a walk and had a hit as he made his second start of the series.
