Renfroe hits 3rd HR in 5 games for El Paso

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

Hunter Renfroe doubled and homered Sunday as the outfielder continued his torrid hitting since being promoted from Double-A San Antonio to Triple-A El Paso.

Renfroe, 23, the Padres first-round pick in the 2013 Draft (13th overall) was 2-for-4 Sunday and scored both El Paso runs in the Chihuahuas' 3-2 loss to Colorado Springs at home.

In five games with El Paso, Renfroe is 8-for-22 (.364) with two doubles, five homers, eight RBIs and five runs scored for a .864 slugging percentage.

Meanwhile, the loss dropped the 69-59 Chihuahuas 1 1/2 games behind Las Vegas in the race for the Pacific Coast League's Pacific Southern division with 16 to play.

Right-handed starter Chris Smith (4-6, 3.77 ERA) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts in six innings to take the loss for El Paso.

Right-hander Michael Dimock (1.23 ERA) allowed a run on two hits in one inning. Left-hander Frank Garces (1.83 ERA) allowed a hit in a scoreless frame. Right-hander Jon Edwards (1.38 ERA) issued a walk, while striking out the side in an otherwise perfect inning in his El Paso debut.

Edwards was activated on Sunday by the Chihuahuas, who placed right-handed starter Justin Hancock on the seven-day disabled list.

First baseman Jake Goebbert (.300) was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a walk for El Paso.

Class A Fort Wayne took a 7-4 loss at South Bend. The TinCaps still lead the second-half Eastern Division standings in the Midwest League by three games despite their fourth loss in 24 games. Fort Wayne is 68-55 overall and 36-19 in the second half.

Left-handed starter Pete Kelich (2-1, 4.50 ERA) allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts in four innings. Right-handed reliever Nick Monroe (2.60 ERA) allowed a run on three hits with two strikeouts in three innings.

Shortstop Ruddy Giron (.295 average) was 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Left fielder Franchy Cordero (.238) was 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.

AROUND THE FARM:

SAN ANTONIO (55-71): Arkansas 7, MISSIONS 1 -- Starting right-hander Ronald Herrera (3.55 ERA), 20, allowed one hit with two walks and three strikeouts, but he was pulled after two innings due to an innings limit. He pitched a complete game shutout in his previous start. RHP Aaron Northcraft (1-1, 3.32 ERA) gave up four runs on three hits and four walks with five strikeouts in three innings. RHP Adam Cimber (3.38 ERA) allowed three runs on four hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings. LHP Eury De La Rosa (1.40 ERA) gave up a hit with two strikeouts in 1 2/3 scoreless innings. DH Yeison Asencio (.305 average) was 1-for-3. Catcher Robert Kral was 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in his first start with the Missions.

CLASS A ADVANCED LAKE ELSINORE (46-80): Lancaster 5, STORM 0 -- Third baseman Gabriel Quintana (.242 average) was 2-for-4 with a double. Starting RHP Kyle Lloyd (6-10, 4.67 ERA) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five innings. RHP Ryan Butler (3.66 ERA) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with a strikeout in an inning. LHP Kyle Bartsch (4.10 ERA) allowed two hits with three strikeouts in two scoreless innings. RHP Rafael De Paula (4.77 ERA) struck out the side in a perfect inning.

SHORT-SEASON CLASS A TRI-CITY (33-30): Hillsboro 2, DUST DEVILS 1 -- Starting right-hander Joel Linares (8.00 ERA) allowed three hits with four strikeouts in six scoreless innings. RHP Luis Hernandez (1-5, 5.14 ERA) blew the save and suffered the loss, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk with a strikeout in two innings. 2B Mitch Morales (.250 average) was 2-for-3 with a double. RF Mason Smith (.217) was 1-for-2 and scored the Dust Devils run.

ARIZONA ROOKIE PADRES (20-30): Diamondbacks 5, PADRES 2 -- Starting right-hander Austin Smith (6.00 ERA), the Padres' top pick (second round) in last June's draft, issued a walk in two otherwise perfect innings. RHP Walker Lockett (7.00 ERA) allowed five runs on 10 hits and a walk with four strikeouts in four innings.