Three contending Padres affiliates win

Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.

Three Padres Minor League affiliates in playoff races all won Friday night.

Triple-A El Paso defeated Las Vegas, the only team ahead of the Chihuahuas in the Pacific Coast League's Pacific South Division. The win at El Paso moved the Chihuahuas to within 3 1/2 games of the division lead, with 25 games to play.

Fort Wayne defeated Cedar Rapids, 10-4, at home in a match of the two hottest teams in the Midwest League. Playing in front of the 18th sellout of the season at Parkview Field, the TinCaps scored their sixth straight overall win and the 11th straight home win to improve to 30-17 in the second half. They lead the Eastern Division second-half standings by 2 1/2 games, with 25 to play.

Right-handed starter Adrian De Horta and three relievers combined on a two-hit shutout as Tri-City blanked Boise, 3-0. The Dust Devils were first-half division champions in the Northwest League and are already assured a playoff berth.

Around the farm

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (61-57): CHIHUAHUAS 3, Las Vegas 2. Starting RHP Daniel McCutchen (7-6, 4.00 ERA) gave up one run on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over seven innings. RHP Tayron Guerrero (6.23) allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless eighth and RHP Jay Jackson (2.15) picked up his 11 save despite allowing a run on two hits with a strikeout in the ninth.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (52-66): Missions 4, ARKANSAS 3. 2B Diego Goris (.266) had a double and a triple in four at-bats with a RBI. 1B Luis Domoromo (.264) was 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly. OF Kyle Gaedele (.167) was 1-for-2 with a hit-by-pitcher and a RBI. Starting RHP James Needy (, 3.44 ERA, Santana High) allowed three runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts and two successful pick-offs in four innings. LHP Eury De La Rosa (1.95) struck out two in a perfect ninth for his third save.

CLASS A ADVANCED LAKE ELSINORE (43-74): RANCHO CUCAMONGA 6, Storm 3. Starting RHP Michael Kelly (0-2, 7.20 ERA) allowed four runs on five hits and three walks with five strikeouts in four innings. RHP Eric Yardley (2.96) pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings. RF Nick Schulz (.248) was 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI.

CLASS A FORT WAYNE (62-53): TIN CAPS 10, Cedar Rapids 4. CF Michael Gettys (.233) was 3-for-5 with two doubles (27 total) and a triple (five) with his 15th steal, two RBIs and two runs scored. SS Ruddy Giron (.301) was 2-for-4 with a walk, three RBIs and a run scored. Starting RHP Ernesto Montes (10-6, 3.53 ERA) joined Needy as the second pitcher in the organization with 10 wins. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk with a strikeout in six innings.

SHORT-SEASON CLASS A TRI-CITY (30-24): DUST DEVILS 3, Boise 0. De Horta (1.71 ERA) allowed one hit and three walks with eight strikeouts over five innings. RHPs Sam Holland (2-1, 2.37) and Phil Maton (fourth save, 1.03) each struck out two in an inning to complete the shutout. 3B Carlos Belen (.217) hit his fifth homer in four at-bats.

ARIZONA ROOKIE PADRES (18-25): PADRES 5, Royals 3. 2B Tyler Moore (.212) was 3-for-5 with two steals and a run scored. CF Aldemar Burgos (.234) was 2-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored. SS Daniel Bravo (.308) was 2-for-4 with a triple, a RBI and a run scored. C Kyle Overstreet (.196) had his first professional homer in three at-bats. Starting RHP Jordan Guerrero (3.26) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts in three innings. RHP Nathan Foriest (1.10) allowed a hit with a strikeout in a scoreless inning for his third save.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE PADRES (30-35): PADRES 11, White Sox 8. C Ricardo Rodriguez (.256) was had a double and his second homer in four at-bats for three RBIs. CF Carlos Taveras (.185) was 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored. CF Angel Santos (.272) was 3-for-4 with a double and two steals. 1B Emmanuel Arias (.212) hit his sixth homer in four at-bats. Starting LHP Cristian Machuca (3.91 ERA) allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. RHP Diomar Lopez (1-0, 1.72) allowed a run on a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings to get the win.