RHP Smith allows one run in seven innings in Triple-A El Paso win

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

Right-hander Chris Smith allowed one run on four hits over seven innings Friday night as Triple-A El Paso (71-62) scored a 7-1 win over Oklahoma City in Texas to move to within 2 1Ž2 games of division-leading Las Vegas in the Pacific Coast League's Pacific Southern race.

Meanwhile, low Single-A Fort Wayne failed to clinch a Midwest League playoff berth as the TinCaps came out on the wrong side of a 1-0 shutout against Lake County.

The loss ended Fort Wayne's 17-game home winning streak before the season's 22nd sellout at Parkview Field. But the 72-56 TinCaps, who are 24-5 over their last 29 games, remained four games ahead in the second-half Eastern Division race with 10 games to go. Their magic number to clinch a playoff berth is one.

At El Paso, Smith issued one walk while striking out six as he improved to 5-6 while dropping his earned run average to 3.62.

Right-hander Nick Vincent (3.10 ERA) struck out two in a perfect inning. Right-hander Jon Edwards allowed a hit in a scoreless ninth.

Shortstop Hector Gomez (.364) was 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored to pace the Chihuahuas' offense. First baseman Jake Goebbert (.299) was 2-for-4 with a double, a RBI and two runs scored.

Center fielder Rymer Liriano (.283) was 2-for-4 with a RBI. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe (.341) was 2-for-5. Left fielder Alex Dickerson (.310, Poway High) was 1-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored.

At Fort Wayne, right-hander Pete Kelich (2-2, 3.79 ERA) allowed a run on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts in five innings to suffer the loss. Right-hander Aaron Cressley (4.25) gave up a hit with two walks with two strikeouts in two innings. Left-hander Kyle McGrath (1.81) allowed a hit with three strikeouts in two scoreless innings.

Shortstop Ruddy Giron (.294) and first baseman Luis Tejada (.288) each had a single as Fort Wayne had only two hits.

AROUND THE FARM:

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (56-74): FRISCO 3, Missions 0 - Starting RHP Aaron Northcraft (1-2, 2.93 ERA) allowed a run on five hits with four strikeouts in five innings. RHP Stephen Kohlscheen (2.98) gave up two runs on three hits with three strikeouts in two innings. RHP Genison Reyes (0.00) pitched a perfect inning. CF Auston Bousfield (.161) was 1-for-2 with a walk as the Missions had three hits.

HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (47-84): LANCASTER 16, Storm 4 - 1B Matthew Chavez (.273) was 2-for-4 with a double and his first homer for two runs scored. LF Nick Torres (.287) hit his second homer in four at-bats. Starting RHP Matthew Shepherd (4-10, 5.74 ERA) allowed nine runs (five earned) on six hits and two walks with a strikeout in 2 2/3 innings. RHP Blake Rogers (13.50) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in two innings.

SHORT-SEASON SINGLE-A TRI-CITY (35-33): EVERETT 4, Dust Devils 1 - CF Rod Boykin (.245) was 2-for-4 with his third homer. Starting RHP Joel Linares (0-2, 8.53 ERA) allowed four runs on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. RHP Louis Distacio (4.01) allowed a hit with five strikeouts in 2 1/3 scoreless innings. RHP Luis Hernandez (4.80) had a strikeout in two perfect innings.

ARIZONA ROOKIE PADRES (23-32): PADRES 4, White Sox 2 - 1B Jonas Lantigua (.262) was 4-for-4 with a double and a run scored. C Zach Riesdorf (.083) was 1-for-3 with a two-run homer. CF Josh Magee (.203) was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Starting RHP Walker Lockett (1-1, 5.40 ERA) allowed two runs on seven hits and five strikeouts in six innings. RHP Elliot Morris pitched a scoreless inning in his first rehab outing. LHP Corey Hale (0.00) struck out one in a perfect inning. RHP Elliot Ashbeck (3.51) also had a strikeout in a perfect inning for his fourth save.