Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Shortstop Javier Guerra had three hits, including his fourth homer of the season, and drove in three runs Wednesday night as Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore scored a 9-3 win over Inland Empire at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore.
Meanwhile, third baseman Casey McElroy was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored to raise his batting average to .418 during Triple-A El Paso's 4-1 win at Las Vegas.
Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie (1-5, 7.05 earned run average) had his best outing for the 16-16 Chihuahuas, allowing one run on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts in seven innings.
Right-hander Jose Dominguez (2.60 ERA) allowed a walk with two strikeouts in the eighth. Right-hander Aaron Northcraft (2.40) had a strikeout in a perfect ninth to get his first save.
Recently-promoted left fielder Yeison Asencio (.250) was 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Chihuahuas. First baseman James Loney (.336) was 2-for-3 with a walk and a RBI. Center fielder Manuel Margot (.269) was 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored.
At Lake Elsinore, Guerra, 20, considered the second-best prospect in the Padres' system, raised his average to .252.
Third baseman Luis Urias, 18, was also 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored to raise his average to .306. Right fielder Franmil Reyes (.202) was 2-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Catcher Jose Ruiz (.206) was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Center fielder Franchy Cordero (.254) had a two-run triple in five at-bats. Second baseman Josh VanMeter (.300) was 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
Left-handed starter Thomas Dorminy (1-4, 7.34 earned run average) allowed a run on four hits and a walk with a strikeout in six innings for the 15-18 Storm.
Right-hander Martires Arias (6.43) allowed two runs on three hits with a strikeout in an inning. Left-hander Brad Wieck (1.93) allowed two hits and two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth. LHP Kyle McGrath allowed a hit with a strikeout in a scoreless ninth to keep his ERA at a perfect 0.00.
Around the farm
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (10-22) -- The Missions had Wednesday off.
CLASS A FORT WAYNE (18-15) -- Great Lakes 3-5, TIN CAPS 0-0: Fort Wayne had only four hits in the two, seven-inning shutout losses. Starting RHP Jean Cosme (3-2, 3.81 ERA) allowed one run on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts in the opener. RHP Emmanuel Ramirez (6.17) allowed a run on two hits with four strikeouts in three innings. RHP Phil Maton (7.71) allowed a run on two hits with a strikeout in an inning. Right-hander Austin Smith (0-2, 3.47 ERA) started the second game and allowed a run on two hits and three walks with five strikeouts in four innings. LHP Will Headean (5.00) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two innings. RHP Phil Monroe (2.93) allowed a hit with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning.