Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
The biggest news in the Padres organization Saturday was movement.
Right-handed starter Michael Kelly was promoted from Double-A San Antonio to Triple-A El Paso and right-handed starter Zech Lemond moved from high Single-A Lake Elsinore to San Antonio. In a corresponding move, right-handed starter Fabio Castillo was released at El Paso.
The moves meant advancement for two high draft picks who got off to slow starts in the Padres system.
In fact, it was the second promotion this season for the 23-year-old Kelly, who was the 48th overall pick in the 2011 draft.
Kelly opened the season in Lake Elsinore and had a 1-3 record with a 5.83 earned run average in six starts before being promoted to San Antonio. He was 2-1 with 2.55 ERA in seven starts with the Missions.
Lemond, 23, the Padres' third-round pick in 2014 was 1-2 with a 5.25 ERA in five starts for the Storm.
In game action Saturday night, right fielder Nick Schulz and first baseman Taylor Lindsey homered in San Antonio's 7-4 win at Midland.
Schulz (.288) was 2-for-3 with three RBIs on his third homer. Lindsey (.218) was 2-for-4 with his sixth homer for the 22-46 Missions.
Designated hitter Gabriel Quintana (.229) was 3-for-4 with a double. Second baseman Nelson Ward (.227) was 2-for-5. Left fielder Nick Torres (.309) had a double in five at-bats for two RBIs and two runs scored.
Right-handed starting pitcher T.J. Weir (2-2, 5.85 earned run average) allowed four runs on seven hits and three runs with a strikeout in five innings to get the win.
Left-hander Kyle McGrath (1.13 ERA) issued a walk with a strikeout in two otherwise perfect innings. Right-hander Yimmi Brasoban (2.45) allowed a hit with three strikeouts in two innings to get his first Double-A win.
AROUND THE FARM:
TRIPLE-A EL PASO (39-29) - SACRAMENTO 6, Chihuahuas 1 - C Austin Hedges (.297) was 2-for-4. PH Jason Hagerty (.293) hit a run-scoring double. Starting LHP Frank Garces (1-2, 3.81 ERA) allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts in five innings. RHP Leonel Campos (3.86) allowed two hits with two strikeouts in two scoreless innings. LHP Keith Hessler (4.26) gave up two runs on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in an inning.
HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (31-38) - VISALIA 3, Storm 2: 3B Josh Van Meter (.281) hit his eighth homer in three at-bats. C Marcus Greene Jr. (.145) homered in four at-bats. Starting RHP Chris Huffman (2.10 ERA) allowed a run on three hits and a walk with two strikeouts in three innings. LHP Brad Wieck (1.78) gave up two hits with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning. RHP Martires Arias (1-4, 4.46) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk with a strikeout in 1 1/3 innings. LHP Trevor Seidenberger (6.09) pitched 1 2/3 perfect innings. RHP Colby Blueberg (0.90) allowed two hits in a scoreless inning.
LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (36-33) - Bowling Green 6, TIN CAPS 2 - LF Tyler Moore (.226) was 3-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs. DH Austin Allen (.324) was 2-for-4. Starting LHP Jerry Keel (3-6, 2.92 ERA) allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. LHP Elvin Liriano (4.32) allowed a run on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. RHP Louis Distacio (2.63) allowed two hits with a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings.
SHORT-SEASON SINGLE-A TRI-CITY (1-1) - Everett 1, DUST DEVILS 0 (10 innings): DH Aldemar Burgos (.286) was 2-for-4 with a stolen base. Starting RHP Angel Mejia allowed a hit with three strikeouts in five scoreless innings. RHP Dalton Erb allowed a hit in two scoreless innings. RHP Jesse Scholtens gave up a hit and a walk with four strikeouts in two scoreless innings. LHP Jose Castillo gave up a homer in the 10th to take the loss.
DSL Padres (6-7) - PADRES 7, Blue Jays 6: C Bryant Aragon (.241) was 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI.2B Kelvin Alarcon (.250) was 2-for-3. 3B Eguy Rosario (.364) was 1-for-3 with two walks, two steals, a RBI and a run scored. RHP Jonathan Guzman (0.75 ERA) allowed four runs with seven strikeouts in four scoreless innings.