Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Hunter Renfroe's homer streak was snapped Monday night, but he and Manuel Margot continued their hitting streaks as Triple-A El Paso scored an 8-5 victory at Salt Lake.
Center fielder Margot, 21, was 2-for-5 with a run scored to stretch his hitting streak to nine games (15-for-36) and raise his batting average (.302) above .300 for the first time this season.
Renfroe, who had homered in each of the previous four games, had a double in four at-bats Monday to stretch his hitting streak to five games (8-for-18). He is hitting .333 on the season.
Veteran first baseman James Loney (.304) led the 7-10 Chihuahuas Monday, going 3-for-4 with a double and his first homer with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Designated hitter Ryan Schimpf (.250) hit his fourth homer of the season, a two-run shot, in four at-bats. Second baseman Carlos Asuaje (.333) was 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI. Left fielder Alex Dickerson (.327) was 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Starting right-hander Daniel McCutchen (3-1, 5.73 ERA) allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk with two strikeouts to get the win.
Right-hander Derek Eitel (2.00 ERA) allowed a run on three hits and a walk with a strikeout in two innings. Left-hander Frank Garces (4.35) allowed a run on a hit with a strikeout in the ninth.
Around the farm
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (8-9): FRISCO 7, Missions 4. Right-hander Bryce Morrow allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in six innings in his first start for San Antonio this season to take the loss. LHP Kyle Bartsch (9.64 ERA) allowed two runs on five hits with two strikeouts in two innings. 3B Taylor Lindsey (.293) had his third homer and a double in four at-bats and scored two runs. 2B Nelson Ward (.276) was 3-for-4 with his seventh stolen base.
CLASS A ADVANCED LAKE ELSINORE (9-9): The Storm was off Monday night.
CLASS A FORT WAYNE (9-9): The TinCaps were off Monday night.