Jake Goebbert. Mandatory Credit: MiLB.com
All of the Padres minor league teams were in action last night for a combined record of 2-3. Triple-A player Jake Goebbert had his best night since joining the Padres organization via the Kyle Blanks trade with the Oakland Athletics. If Goebbert can continue his hot hitting, Padres fans will quickly forget the Kyle “88 train” Blanks. I know it is just Triple-A, but at least GM Josh Byrnes got something in return. Now let’s take a look down on the farm.
Triple-A
The El Paso Chihuahuas (32-36) defeated the New Orleans Zephyrs (36-31) 8-4.
Chihuahuas’ Goebbert had a night for the books. He went 3-for-4 with 2 runs and a season high 7 RBI. Those 7 RBI were scored via a three-run home run and a grand slam. Goebbert has raked since he joined the Padres organization. He owns a slash line of .295/.427/.523 since May 15. Hopefully Goebbert will be able to translate his success to the major league level and not be another excellent Quadruple-A baseball player.
Tonight the Chihuahuas take on former Padre Justin Germano (1-6. 3.96 ERA) of the Round Rock Express. As of the publishing of this article, the El Paso Chihuahuas have yet to name a starter. First pitch is at 9:05 pm ET.
Double-A
The San Antonio Missions (33-33) lost a close game to the Midland RockHounds (36-30) 3-2.
Missions’ starter James Needy kept his team in the game pitching 5 1/3 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7. Missions’ 2B lead the charge offensively going 2-for-4 and scoring both of his team’s runs. All-Star catcher Austin Hedges went 1-for-3 with an RBI double in the sixth.
Tonight the Missions face Drew Granier (3-2, 3.50 ERA) of the Midland RockHounds. As of the publishing of this article, the San Antonio Mission have yet to name a starter. First pitch is at 8:05 pm ET.
Single-A Advanced
The Lake Elsinore Storm (39-29) lost to the High Desert Mavericks (33-35) 18-6.
In his first start since being named to the Single-A California League All-Star team, Joe Ross pitched his worse game of the season. Ross pitched 3 1/3 innings giving up 10 runs (9 earned) on 11 hits and 1 walk. Those 9 earned runs are equivalent to the amount of runs he has allowed in this previous 4 starts combined. Ross will look to regain his form as he prepares for his next start.
Tonight the Lake Elsinore Storm send Zach Eflin (5-3, 4.04 ERA) against Tyler Pike (2-4, 5.59 ERA) of High Desert. First pitch is at 10:05 pm ET,
Single-A Low
The Fort Wayne TinCaps (31-35) defeated the Lansing Lugnuts (29-37) 7-2.
TinCaps’ starter Ronald Herrera pitched 5 solid innings allowing 1 run (0 earned) on 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2. Justin Livengood would pitch the remaining 4 innings to earn his first save on the season.
Storm 3B Dustin Peterson went 1-for-5, but his one hit was a fifth inning grand slam to increase his RBI total to 52 on the season. Just want to point out that is more than double Jedd Gyorko’s total of 24, and he led the Padres in RBI so far this season.
Tonight the TinCaps will face Chris Kirsch (3-5, 4.09 ERA) of the Bowling Green Hot Rods. As of the publishing of this article, the Fort Wayne TinCaps have yet to name a starter. First pitch is at 7:05 pm ET.
Class-A Short Season
Tonight kicks offs the Eugene Emeralds season. For many of the Emeralds players, this will be the first time many of them will use wooden baseball bats. The short season is only 75 games instead of the typical 140 games. It will be exciting to watch many of the players the Padres took in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft.
Rookie: Dominican Summer League
The DSL Padres (4-7) lost to the DSL Reds (2-9) 7-3.
The Padres defense was the culprit in last night’s loss. The Padres committed 4 errors which lead to 5 unearned runs on the night. Take away those 5 runs and the DSL Padres could have earned their third win of the season. Padres 3B Carlos Sosa had his second multi-hit game in his last three games.
Today the DSL Padres take the DSL Reds for the second straight day. First pitch is at 10:30 am ET.
Keep the Faith.