Erlin pitches shutout as El Paso sweeps DH

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

Left-hander Robbie Erlin threw the first complete game shutout in Chihuahuas history Saturday night, as Triple-A El Paso swept a doubleheader from Reno to move into a tie for the lead of the Pacific Coast League's Pacific South Division with two games to played.

Las Vegas rallied from a 7-2 deficit to defeat Tacoma, 8-7, to prevent El Paso from taking a one-game lead.

Erlin allowed five hits and a walk while striking out four to improve to 7-6 on the season and lower his earned run average to 5.60. He also scored two runs in El Paso's 10-0 win in the seven-inning opener.

Right-hander Aaron Northcraft picked up the win as a spot starter in the seven-inning second game. Northcraft (3-4, 5.58 ERA) allowed one run on three hits and four walks with four strikeouts in five innings in the 4-2 Chihuahuas win. Northcraft also drew two walks as a hitter and drove in a run.

Right-handed reliever Michael Dimock (1.50 ERA) allowed a run on two hits with three strikeouts in an inning. Right-hander Jay Jackson (2.30) struck out one in a perfect seventh to get his 14th save.

The Chihuahuas featured a balanced offense throughout the sweep. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe (.338) was 2-for-8 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored. Third baseman Casey McElroy (.274) was 3-for-7 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored. Center fielder Rymer Liriano (.295) was 3-for-6 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.

First baseman Cody Decker (.249) was 3-for-7 with a RBI and a run scored. Catcher Robert Kral was 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored. Second baseman Ramiro Pena (.308) was 1-for-4 with a two-run double.

El Paso activated first baseman-outfielder Tommy Medica from the seven-day disabled list.

Around the farm

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (60-78): MISSIONS 2, Corpus Christi 1 -- LHP Eury De La Rosa (2-1, 1.27 ERA) allowed one hit and a walk with three strikeouts over six shutout innings. LHP Brandon Alger (3.88) allowed a run on two hits in an inning. RHP Adam Cimber (3.05) allowed two hits with two strikeouts in an inning. LHP Chris Rearick (0.00) gave up three hits with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning to get his second save. DH Benji Gonzalez (.236) was 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored. RF Auston Bousfield (.238) was 2-for-4. 2B Taylor Lindsey (.171) had a double in three at-bats for a RBI. LF Kyle Gaedele (.185) was 0-for-1 with two walks and a run scored.

HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (48-90): VISALIA 9, Storm 8 -- 1B Matthew Chavez (.260) was 2-for-4 with his second homer. SS Daniel Bravo (.190) hit his second homer in four at-bats. 2B Fernando Perez (.224, Otay Ranch High) was 2-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored. RF Nick Torres (.279) was 2-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored. RF Nick Schulz (.240) was 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Starting LHP Kyle Bartsch (1-3, 4.60 ERA) allowed six runs on eight hits with four strikeouts in three innings. RHP Blake Rogers (4.26) allowed two hits and two walks in two scoreless innings. LHP Chris Nunn (6.85) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. RHP Zech Lemond (5.58) allowed a hit with three strikeouts in 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (76-60): TIN CAPS 4, Bowling Green 3 (11 innings) -- C Michael Miller (.192) was 3-for-5 and scored the winning run on an error. CF Michael Gettys (.227) was 0-for-3 but drove in two runs with a pair of sacrifice flies. Starting RHP Chris Huffman (3.28 ERA) allowed a run on four hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in seven innings. RHP Yimmi Brasoban (2.26) allowed a run on a hit with two strikeouts in an inning. LHP Taylor Cox (1-3, 3.64) allowed a run on three hits and a walk with a strikeout in two innings.

SHORT-SEASON SINGLE-A TRI-CITY (41-34): DUST DEVILS 8, Spokane 2 -- 1B Ty France (.292) was 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored. RF Justin Pacchioli (.244) was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. 2B Kodie Tidwell (.259) was 2-for-4 with a steal and two RBIs. C Austin Allen (.236) was 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored. Starting RHP Angel Mejia (6-3, 4.95 ERA) allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in six innings. RHP Elvin Liriano (2.23) struck out two in two perfect innings. RHP Wilson Santos (2.63) allowed a hit with a strikeout in a scoreless inning.