Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Starting right-hander Chris Huffman allowed one run on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts over seven innings Saturday night to lead Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore to a 3-1 win over Lancaster at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore.
Right-hander Phil Maton issued a walk with two strikeouts in two otherwise perfect innings to get his fourth save as the Storm improved to 37-43 overall and evened their second-half, California League record at 5-5.
Designated hitter Fernando Perez (.250) drove in all three runs with a homer in three at-bats. It was Otay Ran High grad's second homer of an injury-interrupted season. Center fielder Michael Gettys (.419) was 2-for-5. Second baseman Luis Urias (.324) was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Huffman's was one of three excellent starts in the Padres system Saturday night.
Right-hander Blake Rogers (3.57 ERA) allowed three hits with a strikeout over five scoreless innings for low Single-A Fort Wayne. Right-hander Emmanuel Ramirez (2-0, 1.29 ERA) allowed a run on seven hits with three strikeouts in six innings for short-season Single-A Tri-City.
But the most notable start in the Padres system Saturday was turned in by Edwin Jackson in the Major League veteran's second outing with Triple-A El Paso.
Jackson allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts over five innings to lower his earned run average to 3.38. But he also homered in the Chihuahuas' 13-inning, 5-3 loss to Reno in El Paso.
Catcher Austin Hedges drew an intentional walk as a pinch-hitter to keep his 13-game hitting streak (26-for-52 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs).
Center fielder Manuel Margot (.302) was 3-for-7 Saturday with his 23rd steal. Left fielder Hunter Renfroe (.331) was 2-for-4 with three walks and a run scored. Catcher Hector Sanchez (.471) had a RBI double in three at-bats with two walks.
Left-hander Buddy Baumann (1.26 ERA) followed Jackson and allowed two hits and a walk with a strikeout in two scoreless innings.
Right-hander Michael Dimock (3.48) struck out two in two perfect innings. Right-hander Eric Yardley (2.35) allowed a hit and a walk with a strikeout in two scoreless innings.
Left-hander Keith Hessler (0-1, 4.66) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in an inning-plus to take the loss. Right-hander Derek Eitel followed Hessler in the top of the 13th and issued a walk with a strikeout in an inning.
Shortstop Nick Noonan was activated from El Paso's seven-day disabled list Saturday and was 1-for-3. Infielder Casey McElroy, who is scheduled to play in the Triple-A All-Star Game on July 13, was placed on El Paso's seven-day disabled list.
Right-handed pitcher Chris Paddack, who was acquired from Miami Thursday in the Fernando Rodney trade, joined low Single-A Fort Wayne Saturday.
AROUND THE FARM:
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (3-6, 25-54) -- Tulsa 9, MISSIONS 2: LF Nick Torres (.299) was 3-for-4 with a double. Starting RHP Dinelson Lamet (.1-3, 4.74 ERA) allowed five runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings to take the loss. RHP Rafael De Paula (2.36) allowed three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. LHP Jose Torres (0.77) allowed a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning. RHP Tayron Guerrero (4.50) gave up four runs (three earned) on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts in an inning. LHP Kyle McGrath (1.50) allowed two hits with a strikeout in a scoreless inning.
CLASS A FORT WAYNE (4-6, 40-40) -- LAKE COUNTY 3, TinCaps 2: RHP Nick Monroe (5.80) followed Rogers and allowed a run on three hits with a strikeout in an inning. RHP J.C. Cosme (2.71) had a strikeout in two perfect innings. RHP Louis Distacio (1-1, 5.19 ERA) gave up two runs on three hits with a strikeout in one-third of an inning to take the loss. 3B Carlos Belen (.217) had three doubles in four at-bats with a RBI and a run scored. 1B Brad Zunica (.248) had a RBI double in four at-bats.
SHORT SEASON CLASS A TRI-CITY(11-5) -- DUST DEVILS 3, Everett 1: RHP Daniel Erb (1.29) followed Erb and allowed a hit with a strikeout in two scoreless innings. RHP Aaron Cressley (2.84) had a strikeout in a perfect ninth to get his first save. SS Chris Baker (.265) was 2-for-3 with a run scored. C Kyle Overstreet (.245) was 2-for-3. RF Mason Smith (.250) was 1-for-2 with a RBI. RF Luis Asuncion (.286) was 1-for-1 with a run scored.
ARIZONA ROOKIE PADRES(6-4) -- ROYALS 2, Padres 0: Starting RHP Jean Garcia (0-2, 3.86) allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings. RHP Kyle Gauthier (0.00) allowed a hit with four strikeouts in two scoreless innings.
DSL PADRES (10-13) -- The first game of a doubleheader was suspended by rain and the second game was rained out.