Mason McCoy. (Photo: Deanna Almaguer)
Chihuahuas 4, Tacoma Rainiers 2
Key Stats: RHP Ian Koenig 6 IP, 5 H, 4 K; RHP Logan Gillaspie 2 IP, H, K; SS Mason McCoy 5-for-6, 2B, SB (36), R, RBI; 1B Miguel Andujar 0-for-4; RF Carlos Rodriguez 2-for-4, 2 BB, SB (22); LF Nick Solak 1-for-3 RBI, 2B, 2 BB; DH Nick Pratto 1-for-4, HR (12), BB
Ian Koenig put together his strongest professional season in San Antonio in 2026. (Photo: San Antonio Missions)
Prospect Watch: Being a fly-ball pitcher is usually not a recipe for success in the Pacific Coast League, especially in El Paso. Tonight, Ian Koenig pitched at sea level in Tacoma and took full advantage, throwing his first shutout in the PCL. Koenig ranked third among the 11 Texas League pitchers with enough innings to qualify for the ERA title, though his one big bugaboo was his tendency to give up home runs. He allowed 20 home runs in 24 starts in the more neutral Texas League to sit middle-of-the-pack among pitchers on the circuit with 10 starts. Through three starts in the PCL, however, Koenig appears right at home, posting a 2.81 ERA. Koenig leads the system with 137.1 innings this season and should get another one or two starts to add to that total. … If it weren’t for the utter dominance of Koenig, Mason McCoy would be the story of the game. The 31-year-old set a new career high with five hits including a double, and stealing a base. His 37 stolen bases are 12 more than his previous career high, reminding fans that age is just a number. In eight September games, McCoy is now hitting .500 with a 1.184 OPS. … Nick Pratto hit the only home run of the night. The Rangers released Pratto in June, and the Padres picked him up almost immediately. Since joining the organization, Pratto’s on-base percentage has climbed nearly 90 points, from .287 to .375 and his OPS with the Chihuahuas is now above .800, a mark he has not reached since 2022. … Carlos Rodriguez reached base four times and stole his 22nd base, equaling a new career high. After spending seven years in the Brewers organization and one year with Atlanta’s system, Rodriguez has set career highs in nearly every offensive category in his first season with El Paso. His .381 OBP, .431 SLG, and .812 OPS are all substantial career highs. Rodriguez has a seven-game hitting streak and is hitting .355 with a .926 OPS in September.
Amarillo Sod Poodles 6, Missions 2
Abraham Parra earned the right to finish the year in San Antonio after a solid campaign for Fort Wayne. (Photo: Jeff Nycz)
Key Stats: RHP Abraham Parra 5 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 K; RF Alex McCoy 1-for-3, 2 BB, SB (3); C Oswaldo Linares 1-for-3 HR (1), RBI, BB; LF Tirso Ornelas 1-for-4, R, BB
Prospect Watch: Abraham Parra saved the best for his last start of the year as, for the first time in 19 starts (24 games), he went at least five innings and did not allow a run while. Between Fort Wayne and San Antonio, the 20-year-old finishes the season with a 5.78 ERA over 99.2 innings. Parra, who originally signed in 2023 and reached full season ball last May, posted a 20% strikeout rate on the year, but he also issued 64 free passes for an untenable 14% walk rate. … The Missions’ offense could not get anything going as Oswaldo Linares‘ solo homer was the club’s only extra-base hit. His blast in the seventh inning to give the Missions a 2-1 lead was his first home run with the Missions and his third of the season. The backup catcher has struggled to find consistent playing time this season and is currently hitting .175 with a .538 OPS in 45 games. He has spent the majority of the season bouncing between the active roster and the Development List. … While he did not have a multi-hit game, Alex McCoy reached base three times thanks to a hit and two walks. The 6-foot-5, 270-plus pound outfielder stole his third base with the Missions and his 24th overall on the year. In 120 games this season, McCoy now has 50 walks and 50 extra-base hits. His 18 home runs and 24 stolen bases give him an outside chance of reaching the 20-20 plateau for the first time. … Will Varmette pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout in his Texas League debut. The former undrafted free agent had an ERA north of nine as late as July 23, however, he had allowed just four earned runs over his final 19.1 innings prior to his promotion.
Storm scheduled day off
Lake Elsinore leads the best-of-3 division series after holding on to weather a late rally late Tuesday night. They had the night off before heading home for the final games of the series at the Diamond. The winner of their match-up with Ontario will advance to the Cal League championship series.
