Padres’ Minor League Roundup for July 6th

Mar 2, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Jace Peterson (74) hits the ball in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Usual minor league expert Dave Chalk is unfortunately going to be out of town for the next week, so I’ll be taking over his MLRs during his absence.

The organization’s farm went 3-3 on the day, with all the wins coming from the higher levels. The most notable performances of the day belonged to 1B Cody Decker, SP Zach Eflin and 3B Gabriel Quintana.

Triple-A

The El Paso Chihuahuas outscored the Salt Lake Bees (Angels’ affiliate) 12-10

Box Score

Sunday featured quite the shootout in Salt Lake, with the offensive charge from the Chihuahuas lead by 1B Cody Decker, who launched two bombs. The El Paso offense was able to overcome a brutal start by starter Jason Lane, who allowed 14 hits and 9 runs (8 earned) in just 5.2 innings of work. Jace Peterson is also heating up after being sent down again, going 2-4 on the day with two walks and a team-high 4 RBI.

Monday’s game will feature Donn Roach (2-1, 4.15 ERA) who will face off against Drew Carpenter (1-0, 4.91) and the Albuquerque Isotopes (Dodgers).

Double-A

The San Antonio Missions walked off the Springfield Cardinals 2-1

Box Score

The Missions were paced by a good joint effort from the pitching staff, with

,

and

going 3, 4 and 2 innings respectively. The offense strung together eight hits yet still only managed two runs, with the second coming in the bottom of the ninth for a walk-off win. 2B Cory Spangenburg was a sparkplug out of the leadoff spot, collecting two hits including a homer to lead off the game for the Missions. He’s been hot through his first 17 games at Double-A this year, hitting .338. Top prospect C

added a couple hits as well, including a double.

Tomorrow the Missions will take on the Cards again, with Josh Greer (5-7, 3.50) slated for San Antonio, and Springfield’s starter remains TBA.

Single-A Advanced

The Lake Elsinore Storm crushed the High Desert Mavericks (Mariners) 9-0

Box Score

9-0 scores are reserved for a truly dominating performance, just like the one the Storm laid upon the Mavericks. Zach Eflin pitched six strong innings of one hit ball to pick up the win, bringing his ERA down to 3.75 on the season. Again, the leadoff hitter played a huge part in the offensive showing, this time in the form of three hits for CF Mallex Smith. 3B Gabriel Quintana blasted his 12th homer of the year, and added another hit to bring his average up to .273 on the year. He’s starting to build a case for a jump to Double-A if he keeps it up.

The Storm will stay in the High Desert, and Colin Rea (6-5, 3.40) will face off against an unknown pitcher from the Mavs.

Single-A Low

The Fort Wayne Tincaps were edged out by the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) 7-6

Box Score

The organization’s first loss of the day came in the battle of the caps. A decent offensive outburst wasn’t enough to overcome a poor start by Kyle Lloyd, who allowed 5 earned runs in just 4.2 innings, ballooning his ERA on the year to 5.07. On the more positive side, C Ryan Miller launched a homer and added a single, and LF Nick Schulz added a double and triple for himself.

Tomorrow we go to Michigan to visit the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), who will throw out Brandon Martinez (1-4, 4.04). The Tincaps will counter with Ronald Herrera (2-1, 3.09).

Single-A Short Season

The Eugene Emeralds were steamrolled by the Boise Hawks (Cubs) 10-5

Box Score

A frustrating start by Logan Jernigan, who gave up 3 runs and 5 hits in only 2 innings, was compounded on by a 3 run relief appearance by Travis Radke. The offense managed three runs off opposing starter Ben Wells, but only two more the rest of the game. 13th overall selection Trea Turner went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts, sinking his average down to .213 on the year. The questions about his bat are only getting bigger, as the college shortstop should be having no problems with short season pitching. The shining star for the Emeralds was DH Franchy Cordero, who went off for three hits including a homerun.

The Emeralds’ starter remains unannounced, but he will face off against Jason Forjet (1-0, 3.43) of the Salem Keizer Volcanoes.

Rookie Dominican Summer League

The DSL Padres had the day off after beating the DSL Reds 5-1 the day prior. Today they will match up once again with the DSL Reds.

Rookie Arizona League

The AZL Padres lost 4-3 in 14 innings to the AZL Athletics

Box Score

In a heartbreaker made possible by Ryan Atwood‘s blown save, the bullpen as a whole did a tremendous job last night. Top 50 overall prospect Max Fried made the start, but only went two innings, as he has struggled with forearm injuries this year. The offence was paced by 1B Michael Fitzgerald, who tattooed a two RBI double in the seventh. LF Jhonatan Pena followed up with a single, scoring Fitz, and putting the Padres on top until the top of the eighth. Second round draft pick in 2013 Michael Gettys went 1-5 with a walk and two strikeouts. He’s hitting .250 in the Arizona League, struggling through his first two weeks of professional baseball.

Tonight the AZL Diamondbacks will visit the Padres’ facilities, and the starters are still unannounced.