Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Right-hander Dinelson Lamet lowered his earned run average to 1.41 with six scoreless innings for Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore Wednesday night, and Triple-A El Paso set two scoring records while raising their Pacific coast League-leading team batting average to .303.
Lamet, a 23-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, allowed six hits and two walks with six strikeouts in six innings in the Storm's 4-2 win at Modesto. Lamet is now 4-1 and has allowed only one run over his last 23 innings. He has 30 strikeouts in 32 innings this season against 11 walks.
Left-hander Jose Torres (1.98 ERA) followed Lamet with a perfect inning. Right-hander T.J. Weir (1.32) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits with three strikeouts in an inning. Right-hander Colby Blueberg (2.08) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn his fourth save.
Left fielder Edwin Moreno (.212) was 3-for-4 for the Storm with a run scored. First baseman Trae Santos (.129) was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Second baseman Luis Urias (.292) was 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. Right fielder Franmil Reyes (.191) was 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
At El Paso, the 11-14 Chihuahuas had 17 hits and set franchise records for runs in a game (17) and an inning (nine) in a 17-6 victory over Las Vegas. Center fielder Manuel Margot and catcher Rocky Gale homered, and four other El Paso starters had three RBIs.
Meanwhile, rehabbing right-hander Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts in four innings in his first start at El Paso.
Gale (.412) was 2-for-3 with his first El Paso homer and three RBIs. First baseman James Loney (.329) was 3-for-3 with three RBIs, two walks and two runs scored. Third baseman Casey McElroy (.382) was 3-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored. Shortstop Nick Noonan (.303) was 3-for-5 with two doubles with three RBIs and a run scored.
Margot (.253) was 1-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe (.272) was 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, an RBI and two runs scored.
Right-hander Aaron Northcraft (1-0, 1.46 ERA) allowed a run on four hits with two strikeouts in two innings. Right-hander Jose Dominguez (2.03) had two strikeouts in two perfect innings. Left-hander Frank Garces (4.40) pitched a perfect ninth.
The Padres Wednesday transferred right-handed pitcher Seth Rosin from extended spring camp to El Paso and moved right-hander Greg Reynolds from El Paso to extended spring camp.
Around the farm
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (9-17) -- Frisco 8, MISSIONS 6: RF Nick Schulz (.250) hit a three-run homer in four at-bats. SS Jose Rondon (.338) had a double in three at-bats with a walk and a run scored. Starting RHP Johnny Hellweg (9.58 ERA) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits with three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. RHP Eric Yardley (0-2, 3.00) allowed two runs (one earned) on a hit and a walk with a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings. RHP Adam Cimber (1.80) allowed a run on two hits and a walk in a third of an inning. LHP Brandon Alger (10.45) struck out three in 1 1/3 perfect innings.
CLASS A FORT WAYNE (15-12) -- CLINTON 5, TinCaps 4: CF Michael Gettys (.263) was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. C Austin Allen (.451) was 1-for-3 with a walk and a RBI. Starting RHP Austin Smith (3.72 ERA) allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks with a strikeout in three innings. Piggybacking RHP Jean Cosme (3.91) allowed a hit and a walk with a strikeout in three scoreless innings. RHP Nick Monroe (1-1, 2.70 ERA) allowed two runs on four hits with two strikeouts in two innings.