EL PASO – The Chihuahuas claimed a series victory over the Reno Aces with a 9-5 victory in the finale. Windy conditions early allowed both clubs to combine for 12 runs in the first three innings, but they added only two over the last six.
Jackson Wolf got his first win on Sunday. (Photo: Deanana Almagur)
Longtime Padres’ farmhand Jackson Wolf got the start and was tagged for four runs (three earned) as he allowed a pair of solo home runs before recording the first out of the third inning. The lefty bounced back to retire the last nine batters he faced in order before being pulled after five innings.
“Jackson is one of the strongest players we have with what he possesses between the ears,” said Pete Zamora after Wolf got his first win of the year. “He probably missed a few spots today, figured out what he did, and then attacked the next batter.
“He’s a guy who is going to compete out there and is going to make the other team beat him.”
Three El Paso relievers followed, combining to allow just one run over the final four frames. While Wolf hit a pair of batters, the staff didn’t issue a single walk all day.
“I was talking with [pitching coach] Scott Mitchell and said that it is always important to limit walks, but with the wind today, it was especially important, and our guys executed,” said Zamora.
Hard-throwing righty Eli Villalobos, one of 14 active players on the El Paso roster who signed as a minor league free agent this winter, continued to impress as the first arm out of the bullpen. The 28-year-old punched out two in his inning of work even though his fastball didn’t have its trademark run.
Yuki Matsui followed and threw two innings for the first time on his rehab assignment, giving up just one hit. The Padres lefty threw back-to-back games earlier in the series, and has now checked off the standard tasks the organization looks for from relievers before activating them from an IL stint. He must return to the big league staff by the end of this week.
Samad Taylor made a lot of hard contact on Sunday. (Photo: El Paso Chihuahuas)
Offensively, Jase Bowen and Samad Taylor continued to impress at the top of the order. Bowen notched two hits and a walk while Taylor fell a triple short of the cycle while collecting three hits.
“Both of those guys are weapons at the top of our lineup, with not only their speed and power, but the aggressiveness that they bring on the basepaths.”
Taylor hit his fourth home run of the season and had four RBIs on the day. It was his third three-hit game of the series, and pushed his slugging percentage for the week to 1.050. He also impressed defensively at second base, making some difficult plays, especially with a swirling wind.
“We’ve talked a lot about him this week,” said Zamora. “I’m just very happy he is with us this year instead of playing against him. In short, he’s just a ballplayer. You can stick him anywhere on the field or in the lineup, and he will find a way to help his team win.”
Bowen finished the series 7-for 24 with seven strikeouts, one walk, and a .542 slugging percentage. He is sixth in the PCL with a .968 OPS overall and tied for fourth with seven home runs.
Hitting out of the nine hole, left fielder Nick Schnell was the other key contributor on Sunday. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter had a double, drew a walk, and reached on a fielder’s choice. In each case, he came around to score. The 2018 first-rounder had some adventures with the wind deensively, but showed out well in the challenging situation.
The Chihuahuas are 12-15 on the season and in last place, but they are just a half-game out of third place and three and a half off of division leader, Sugar Land. “This is a good club, we are going to win some games,” said Zamora.