Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Monday was another big day for the Padres' Triple-A affiliate in El Paso.
Right-handed starter Daniel McCutchen was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week. Then left-handed starter Frank Garces and five relievers held Albuquerque to one run on five hits over 13 innings before Hunter Renfroe hit a two-out walk-off single to give the Chihuahuas a 2-1 win.
The 38-25 Chihuahuas lead the PCL's Pacific Southern Division by six games.
McCutchen made two starts for El Paso last week and won both without allowing an earned run over 12 innings to improve to 7-3 on the season with a 5.20 ERA in 13 starts.
The 33-year-old right-hander gave up eight hits and two walks last week while striking out 10 in 12 innings. He held opposing hitters to a .190 batting average.
On Monday, Garces (3.47 ERA) allowed a run on four hits and a walk with four strikeouts in six innings. Right-hander Derek Eitel (2.37) followed Garces and struck out four in two perfect innings. Right-hander Jose Dominguez (3.09) was up next and struck out one in two perfect innings.
Left-hander Keith Hessler (3.27) allowed a hit with a strikeout in the scoreless 11th. Right-hander Leonel Campos (4.38) was perfect and right-hander Eric Yardley (2-0, 2.45) had a strikeout in a perfect top of the 13th to get credit for the win.
Right fielder Renfroe (.313) was 2-for-7 with the game-winning RBI. Second baseman Carlos Asuaje (.325) was 2-for-7 and scored the winning run after singling with two out in the 13th. Infielder Casey McElroy (.319) was 3-for-6 with a double. Catcher Rocky Gale (.291) was 2-for-5 with a double, a walk and a RBI.
The Chihuahuas also made a move Monday, promoting right-handed starter Johnny Hellweg from extended spring training.
AROUND THE FARM
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (19-43): CORPUS CHRISTI 8, Missions 1. Starting RHP T.J. Weir (1-2, 5.40 ERA) gave up five runs on six hits and four walks with two strikeouts in four innings. RHP Seth Simmons (4.50) allowed three runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts in three innings. LHP Kyle McGrath (1.35) struck out one in a perfect inning.
CLASS A ADVANCED LAKE ELSINORE (28-36): HIGH DESERT 6, Storm 4. 1B Trae Santos (.223) and RF Luis Tejada (.226) each hit a homer in four at-bats. Starting RHP Chris Huffman (6-2, 2.05 ERA) allowed five runs, but only one earned run, on eight hits and four walks with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
CLASS A FORT WAYNE (35-29): West Michigan 8, TIN CAPS 3. C Austin Allen (.337) had three doubles in four at-bats with a RBI. LF Kodie Tidwell (.241) was 2-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored LHP Jerry Keel (3-5, 1.95 ERA)allowed three runs on five hits over three innings in his first start for Fort Wayne.
DSL PADRES (3-5): DIAMONDBACKS 3, Padres 0. Starting LHP Jose Cabrera (0-1, 2.25 ERA) allowed a run on two hits with two strikeouts in four innings. RHP Jonathan Guzman (1.13) allowed two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in three scoreless innings.