Renfroe, Dorminy pace streaking Chihuahuas, TinCaps

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

Right fielder Hunter Renfroe and left-handed starting pitcher Thomas Dorminy led the way on Saturday night, as Triple-A El Paso and low Class A Fort Wayne continued their strong playoff bids.

Renfroe (.333) hit his second home run in three games with El Paso, going 2-for-6 with three RBIs to lead the Chihuahuas to a 9-3 win at Memphis. El Paso finished an eight-game trip to Tennessee with a 7-1 record, and return to El Paso on Sunday night to start a homestand trailing Las Vegas by a half-game in the Pacific Coast League's Pacific South Division.

Dorminy (10-7, 3.09 earned run average) allowed three hits, no walks and struck out five over seven innings to pace the TinCaps to a 2-0 win at South Bend. The TinCaps are 20-3 over their last 23 games, and lead the Midwest League's second-half Eastern Division standings.

Also, the Padres of the Dominican Summer League completed their season with a 31-41 record, losing 1-0 at the D-backs.

At Memphis, left-handed starter Jason Lane played a key role as both a pitcher and hitter. Lane (10-8, 5.58 ERA) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings to get the win. The converted outfielder was also 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored.

Right-handed reliever Dale Thayer made his debut with the Chihuahuas and struck out one in a perfect inning. Left-hander Caleb Thielbar (0.00 ERA) allowed a hit, two walks and struck out one in two innings, while right-hander Jay Jackson (2.51 ERA) allowed a hit in a scoreless inning.

Second baseman Casey McElroy (.296) was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, while left fielder Alex Dickerson (.316, Poway High grad) was 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. Shortstop Hector Gomez (.357) was 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored, and pinch-hitter Cody Decker (.254) tripled.

At South Bend, right-hander Yimmi Brasoban (2.30 ERA) followed Dorminy and allowed two hits and a walk, while recording three strikeouts, in a scoreless inning. Right-hander Colby Blueberg (0.68 ERA) struck out one in a perfect inning to get his 18th save.

There was a player move on Saturday, when Double-A San Antonio placed catcher Griff Erickson (Westview High) on the seven-day, Texas League disabled list with concussion-like symptoms. Catcher Robert Kral was reinstated from El Paso's disabled list and transferred to San Antonio.

AROUND THE FARM

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (55-70): Arkansas 5, MISSIONS 4

First baseman Luis Domoromo (.265) was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while second baseman Taylor Lindsey (.172) was 1-for-4 with a two-run double. Righty Bryan Rodriguez (6-12, 4.27 ERA) started and allowed five runs on 10 hits and four walks, while recording two strikeouts, in 4 2/3 innings. Righty Genison Reyes (0.00 ERA) struck out four in 2 1/3 perfect innings.

HIGH CLASS A LAKE ELSINORE (46-79): Lancaster 8, STORM 2

Right fielder Nick Torres (.288) was 1-for-4 with a two-run double, and center fielder Donavan Tate (.216) was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Right-hander Matthew Shepherd (4-9, 5.45 ERA) started and allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks, while fanning one, over five innings. Righty Zech Lemond (5.77 ERA) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk, while recording a strikeout, in two innings.

SHORT-SEASON CLASS A TRI-CITY (33-29): Everett 3, DUST DEVILS 2

Third baseman Carlos Belen (.220) was 2-for-4, while southpaw Jose Castillo (3.99 ERA) started and allowed two runs on six hits and a walk, while fanning three, over five innings. Lefty Brandon Fry (0-3, 3.65 ERA) allowed a run on two hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings, while righty Sam Holland (1.85 ERA) had four strikeouts in 1 2/3 perfect innings. Righty Phil Maton (0.92 ERA) allowed a hit in a scoreless inning.

ARIZONA ROOKIE PADRES (20-29): PADRES 6, Rangers 5

First baseman Brad Zunica (.284) hit two homers, raising his season total to seven, in five at-bats, while third baseman Carlos Sosa (.190) was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Left fielder Aldemar Burgos (.229) was 2-for-5, while designated hitter Bryant Aragon (.240) was 1-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. Right-hander Jacob Nix (5.49 ERA) started and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk, while striking out three, over five innings. Righty Braxton Lorenzini (5.00 ERA) allowed two runs on three hits in two innings, while righty Adonis Diaz (2-0, 3.78 ERA) allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts over three scoreless innings.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE PADRES (31-41): D-BACKS 1, Padres 0

Lefty Eisler Cordova (6.99 ERA) started and allowed a hit and a walk, while fanning five, over five scoreless innings. Righty Diomar Lopez (1-1, 2.18 ERA) allowed a run on two hits and a walk, while picking up two strikeouts, in two innings.

Catcher Jose Lezama was the Padres' leading hitter in the DSL, batting .325 with seven doubles and 23 RBIs. First baseman Emmanuel Arias hit only .205, but tied for eighth in the DSL with six homers. Shortstop Ariel Ortega hit .304 with 22 runs scored, while center fielder Jose Sotillo hit .301. Right fielder Luis Asuncion hit .236 with four homers, 31 RBIs and 25 runs scored, and center fielder Dayon Olmo hit .252 with 18 steals, a .385 on-base percentage and 36 runs scored in 37 games.

Right-handed starter Emmanuel Clase was 2-1 with a 1.99 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings, while left-hander Joel Garcia was 4-3 with a 2.53 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings. Right-hander Juan Arias was 4-3 with a 3.35 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings.