Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Pitchers and catchers turned in most of the top performances in the Padres' system Tuesday. At San Antonio, right-handers Dinelson Lamet and Trey Wingenter combined on a three-hit shutout, and catcher Ryan Miller had a double and a homer with two RBIs as the surging Double-A Missions defeated Arkansas, 4-0.
At El Paso, four relievers combined to allow one run on five hits in a "bullpen game" and catcher Austin Hedges had a double and a homer for three RBIs as the Triple-A Chihuahuas defeated Fresno, 5-1.
Left-hander Jerry Keel allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks with seven strikeouts in an eight-inning outing to lead Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore to a 4-2 win at Rancho Cucamonga. Keel is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA with the Storm since being promoted from Class A Fort Wayne.
Third-round Draft pick, right-hander Mason Thompson (0.00 ERA) allowed one hit in two innings in his second outing with the Arizona Rookie Padres.
Left-hander Keith Hessler (3.00) allowed a run on three hits with two strikeouts in two innings. And right-hander Jose Rafael De Paula, who was promoted from Double-A San Antonio to El Paso earlier in the day, completed the game allowing two hits with two strikeouts in two scoreless innings to earn the save El Paso improved to 65-53.
Hedges was 2-for-4 with his 15th double and 18th homer to raise his batting average to .348. First baseman Héctor Sánchez (.355) was 2-for-4 with a double, a RBI and a run scored.
Lamet (4-6, 3.86 ERA) allowed three hits and no walks with seven strikeouts over six innings as San Antonio improved to 23-22 in the second half (45-70 overall).
Wingenter, who was promoted from Lake Elsinore earlier in the day, issued a walk with three strikeouts in three hitless innings to complete the shutout and earn the save.
Miller (.222) was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Shortstop Felipe Blanco (.261), who returned to San Antonio from El Paso earlier Tuesday, had a RBI double in three at-bats.
At Rancho Cucamonga, right-hander Phil Maton (1.23 ERA) followed Keel and struck out the side to record his seven save as Lake Elsinore improved to 27-18 in the second half of the California League and 59-56 overall.
In one other move Tuesday, infielder Nick Vitter was transferred from San Antonio to Lake Elsinore.
AROUND THE FARM
CLASS A FORT WAYNE (18-27, 54-61): LANSING 4, TinCaps 3 (13 innings). 2B Tyler Moore (.254) was 3-for-5 with a double. 3B Carlos Belen (.223) was 2-for-6 with his ninth homer. DH Austin Allen came out after being hit with a pitch in his first plate appearance, keeping his 22-game hitting streak in tact. Starting LHP Thomas Dorminy (3.10 ERA) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five innings. RHP Corey Kimber (2-2, 3.72) allowed a run on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss.
SHORT-SEASON TRI-CITY (4-8, 23-27): Spokane 6, DUST DEVILS 5. RHP Hansel Rodriguez (3.00) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks with a strikeout in four innings. RHP Mark Zimmerman (0.86) allowed a hit with four strikeouts in two scoreless innings. SS Chris Baker (.310) was 4-for-5 with a double and three RBIs.
ARIZONA ROOKIE PADRES (17-23): PADRES 2, Rangers 1. RHP Emmanuel Clase (1-0, 4.50 ERA) followed Thompson and allowed four hits with four strikeouts in four scoreless innings. RHP Jim McDade (2.00) allowed a run on a hit and a walk with six strikeouts in three innings to get his first save. 3B Denzell Gowdy (.286) was 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. RF Euri Minaya (.167) was 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored.
DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE PADRES (28-28): Padres 13, REDS 9. CF Edward Burgos (.303) was 4-for-6 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. SS Kelvin Melean (.260) was 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a sacrifice fly for two RBIs and five runs scored. 3B Elvis Sabala (.236) was 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and four RBIs. Starting LHP Anderson Polanco (3.83 ERA) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk with a strikeout in four innings. RHP Edwuin Bencomo (5.00) struck out three in two perfect innings for his fifth save.