Padres Minor League Roundup For August 21

. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

When you face Clayton Kershaw, you don’t expect to have a chance to beat him especially when you are your team is hitting a collective .227 on the season. But last night was a masterpiece of pitching by the Padres ace, Tyson Ross. I believe the Padres best pitcher this season has without a doubt been Tyson Ross. He has been an absolute pleasure to watch and when he goes toe-to-toe with what could be this generation’s best pitcher, you need to enjoy what you are watching.

While there was not a lot that former GM Josh Byrnes did well while he was at the help for the Friars, he was good at picking the pocket of the Moneyball GM, Billy Beane. While I am in no why saying that Byrnes is better than Beane, all I am saying is that I think if you were to rank Josh Byrnes top 5 trades, the majority would be trades that he made with the Oakland Athletics.

Seth Smith, the Padres offensive leader, also arrived via trade from the Oakland Athletics. Without these two players, the Padres would be doing even worse statically. Thank you Billy Beane, thank you for making the Padres bearable to watch this season. Now let’s take a look on how the Padres minor league affiliates performed last night.

Mandatory Credit: padres.scout.com

Triple-A: El Paso Chihuahuas (63-69)

The El Paso Chihuahaus lost to the Oklahoma City RedHawks 9-5 last night in front of an attendance of just over 5,000 people. Last night Joe Wieland, who is still making his way back from Tommy John surgery, made his second start at the Triple-A level this season. Wieland did not have a great night on the mound; he lasted 5 innings allow 5 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. Despite his recent poor start he has been pitching well as he has works through numerous level. Across three minor league levels, Wieland owns a 3.81 ERA on the season with 25 strikeouts and only 4 walks in 26 innings pitched. As a fan, I like to see that his control has been solid and that he seems to be past the numerous setbacks he has had since his surgery. I am not sure if he will be called up when rosters expand in September or have to wait until next season, but I think he will be in the competitive entering next spring for a roster spot. You can never have too much pitching.

Future Friar of the Game

Adam Moore 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 2B, 1 R

Future Friar of the Game

Tyler Greene 0-for-4, 3 K

Mandatory Credit: MiLB.com

Double-A: San Antonio Missions (64-65)

The Missions guaranteed a series split with last night’s 6-2 win against the Frisco RoughRiders. In the top of the fifth inning with the Missions down 2-1 RF Alex Dickerson help his team take the lead for good by putting a charge into a pitch, resulting in a grand slam. Dickerson finished the night going 2-for-5 and increasing his season triple slash line to .293/.327/.475 on the season.

Top prospect Hunter Renfroe joined in on offensive fun going 2-for-5 as well with a double. Offensively Renfroe has not had as good a season as he did last year. His owns a pretty meager triple slash line of .227/.289/.346 on the season compared to .295/.370/.565 he posted last season. Hopefully Renfroe can work through the kinks and get back on track starting next season.

Future Friar of the Game

Alex Dickerson 2-for-5, 1 HR, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 1 R

Future Friar of the Game

Diego Goris, 0-for-4, 1 Caught Stealing

Mandatory Credit: Emily Jones-MiLB.com

Single-A: Lake Elsinore (70-60)

Last night Lake Elsinore lost their second game and the series to the Stockton Ports 11-3. One of the few bright spots offensively for the Storm was RF Luis Domoromo. He went 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI. While CF Mallex Smith went 1-for-4 with a double and 1 run scored.

Starter Colin Rea struggled last night. He allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 9 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4 lasting only 3 innings. It is defiantly not one of Rea’s strongest start and he now owns an ERA of 4.05 on the season.

Lake Elsinore are currently locked in a three-way ties with Inland Empire and Lancaster. Tonight the Storm begin a three-game series against the Bakersfield Blaze. The Blaze and 2 games below .500 so if the Storm play their cards right they should be able to have a sweep and maintain their position in first place as they head into their final home stand beginning this upcoming Tuesday and final week of the season. The Storm have their destiny in their own hands and have a strong chance of making the playoffs.

Future Friar of the Game

Luis Domoromo

2-for-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI

Future Friar of the Game

Colin Rea 3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K