Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Right-hander Michael Kelly ran his record to 4-0 Tuesday night since joining Triple-A El Paso, and three other pitchers in the Padres' system made strong starts.
Kelly, 23, the 48th overall pick of the 2011 Draft, gave up three runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over five innings while improving to 4-0 with a 4.09 ERA for the Chihuahuas, who scored an 11-4 win at Albuquerque for their 50th win of the Pacific Coast League season.
Left-hander Frank Garces (4.33 ERA) followed Kelly and struck out two in a perfect inning. Left-hander Buddy Baumann (1.17 ERA) allowed a hit in a scoreless inning. Right-hander Derek Eitel (2.66 ERA) allowed a run on four hits with two strikeouts in two innings for El Paso (50-35).
Offensively, the Chihuahuas were led by center fielder Auston Bousfield (.308). Bousfield, who was recently promoted from San Antonio, was 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and a run scored.
Second baseman Carlos Asuaje (.318) was 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored. First baseman Hector Sanchez (.500) was 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Shortstop Nick Noonan (.311) was 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe (.332) was 2-for-6 with a double and a RBI.
AROUND THE FARM:
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (4-8, 26-56) -- Springfield 5, MISSIONS 4 (12 innings): CF Franchy Cordero (.360) was 2-for-6 with a double and a steal with a run scored. LF Nick Torres (.295) was 2-for-6 with a RBI and run scored. SS Jose Rondon (.279) was 2-for-6. LF Nick Schulz (.290) was 2-for-4 with a walk and a RBI. RHP Adam Cimber (1.90 ERA) followed Lloyd and pitched a perfect seventh. RHP Yimmi Brasoban (1.26 ERA) struck out one in a perfect inning. RHP Jason Jester (2.70 ERA) allowed four runs on six hits with a strikeout in an inning. LHP Kyle McGrath (1.38 ERA) allowed two hits and a walk with three strikeouts in two scoreless innings. RHP Rafael De Paula (2-2, 2.55 ERA) allowed a run on a hit and a walk with a strikeout in the top of the 12th to suffer the loss.
CLASS A ADVANCED LAKE ELSINORE (6-7, 38-45) -- STOCKTON 6, Storm 3: LF Daniel Bravo (.250) was 3-for-3 with a stolen base, two RBIs and a run scored. CF Michael Gettys (.382) was 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI. Starting RHP Enyel De Los Santos (1-2, 6.64 ERA) allowed five runs on five hits (including three home runs) and a walk with a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning. RHP Martires Arias (4.40 ERA) allowed a run on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. LHP Brandon Alger (4.73 ERA) walked two with three strikeouts in two hitless/scoreless innings. RHP Gerardo Reyes walked two with a strikeout in one hitless/scoreless inning. LHP Trevor Seidenberger (6.13 ERA) issued a walk with two strikeouts in an otherwise perfect inning.
CLASS A FORT WAYNE (6-7, 42-41) -- TIN CAPS 3, South Bend 1: RF Jhonaton Pena (.222) was 2-for-3 with his sixth homer and three RBIs. SS Peter Van Gansen (.223) was 2-for-4. LHP Jose Castillo (0.00 ERA) followed Smith and allowed a hit and a walk with three strikeouts in three scoreless innings. LHP Nathan Foriest (4.30 ERA) allowed a hit and two walks with two strikeouts in an inning to get his first save.
CLASS A SHORT-SEASON TRI-CITY (12-7) -- Dust Devils 9, HILLSBORO 0: RHP Diomar Lopez (1.35 ERA) followed Guerrero and issued one walk in an otherwise two perfect innings. RHP David Bednar (0.00 ERA) allowed a hit with three strikeouts in two innings to complete the six-hit shutout. 2B Nate Easley (.295) homered in three at-bats with a walk, three RBIs and two runs scored. C Kyle Overstreet (.266) was 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, a RBI and a run scored. RF Taylor Kohlwey (.263) and LF Josh Magee (.193) were each 2-for-4 with a double, a RBI and a run scored. INF Carlos Sosa (.207) was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
ARIZONA ROOKIE PADRES (8-5) -- INDIANS 8, Padres 5: SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (.333) was 3-for-4 with a double, a RBI and a run scored. DH Hudson Potts (.340) was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Starting RHP Jonathan Guzman (1-2, 8.18 ERA) allowed seven runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. LHP Ben Sheckler (1.50 ERA) allowed a run on three hits with a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings. RHP Andres Munoz (10.13 ERA) struck out three in two perfect innings. RHP Kyle Gauthier (0.00 ERA) struck out two in a perfect inning.
DSL PADRES (10-16) -- DIAMONDBACKS 4, Padres 0: DH Carlos Taveras (.333) was 2-for-4 with a steal. Starting RHP Dauris Valdez (1-6, 6.61 ERA) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in four innings. LHP Eduardo Solano (2.31 ERA) struck out three in three perfect innings.