Liriano hits pair of homers for El Paso
Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Rymer Liriano hit his first two Triple-A homers Thursday night, leading El Paso to a 7-3 victory over Sacramento in the west Texas city.
Liriano, 23, was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Hitting in the leadoff slot, Liriano opened the Chihuahuas' first with a home run. He raised his season batting average to .288.
The Chihuahuas' third straight win boosted El Paso (10-5) into first place in the Pacific Coast League's Pacific Southern division.
Right-handed starter Bryce Morrow (2-1, 2.16 ERA) allowed Sacramento two runs on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. Righty Cory Mazzoni (1.03 ERA) allowed a run on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning.
Right-hander Marcos Mateo (1.04 ERA) struck out one in 1 2/3 perfect innings to pick up his fourth save.
Left fielder Tommy Medica (.351) was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Second baseman Taylor Lindsey was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Catcher Austin Hedges (.359) was 2-for-4 with a double.
AROUND THE FARM:
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (5-8): MIDLAND 8, Missions 4 -- Starting RHP Bryan Rodriguez (0-3, 8.36 ERA) allowed five runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts in five innings. LHP Chris Nunn allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning, RHP Casey Kelly allowed a hit with a strikeout in a scoreless inning and RHP Michael Dimock (0.00 ERA) struck out the side in a perfect inning. 1B Luis Domoromo was 2-for-4.
HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (5-10): Rancho Cucamonga 11, STORM 1 -- It was a stormy night for Lake Elsinore at the Diamond. The Storm had more errors (six) than hits (five). Starting RHP Justin Livengood (0-3, 6.75 ERA) was victimized by the defense -- and he committed two of the errors -- allowing nine runs (but only one earned run) on eight hits and a walk with two strikeouts in three innings. RHP Walker Weickel (4.50 ERA) allowed a run on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts in three innings.
LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (4-8): LANSING 3, TinCaps 2 -- CF Michael Gettys was 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and a RBI. C Miguel Del Castillo was 2-for-4 with a double. Each scored a run. Starting RHP Walker Lockett (0-2, 5.65 ERA) allowed all three Lansing runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. LHP Payton Baskette (5.14 ERA) allowed two hits and a walk with a strikeout in 2 1/3 scoreless innings. RHP Wilson Santos (1.04 ERA) gave up two hits and two walks with two strikeouts in two scoreless innings.