Padres Minor League Report: July 18
Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
The promotion from low Single-A Fort Wayne to high Single-A Lake Elsinore hasn't slowed Nick Torres. The right fielder was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored Friday night to raise his batting average with Lake Elsinore to .346 (9-for-26) after seven games. Torres was hitting .326 at Fort Wayne, still the second-highest batting average in the Midwest League.
Overall, the Padres' fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft is hitting .328 with 31 doubles, three triples and three homers, with 45 RBIs and 50 runs scored in 83 games.
Third baseman Gabriel Quintana (.254) was 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs on Friday night as the 37-54 Storm defeated Visalia 3-1 in Lake Elsinore.
Starting right-handed pitcher Ronald Herrera (3.88 ERA) allowed one run on four hits and a walk with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Right-hander Jason Jester (1-0, 4.32 ERA) allowed a hit with three strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. Left-hander Chris Nunn (5.87) struck out two in 1 2/3 perfect innings to get his first save.
Around the farm
Triple-A El Paso (45-47): Fresno 8, Chihuahuas 2. Designated hitter Cody Decker (.268) was 2-for-3 with his 16th homer and a walk. Third baseman Casey McElroy (.265) was 2-for-5 with his third homer. Second baseman Ramiro Pena (.320) and catcher Jason Hagerty (.313) were both 2-for-4. Starting right-handed pitcher Chris Smith (1-5, 4.06 ERA) allowed four runs on four hits and five walks with four strikeouts in five innings. Lefty Frank Garces (2.16) allowed a run on two hits and two walks in two innings.
Double-A San Antonio (39-52): Midland 2, Missions 0. Third baseman Duanel Jones (.227) was 2-for-4 with a double. Starting right-handed pitcher Justin Hancock (6-6, 3.20 ERA) allowed two runs on six hits with five strikeouts in seven innings.
Low Single-A Fort Wayne (46-44): Tin Caps 8, Lake County 3. Rehabbing Padres catcher Tim Federowicz (.313) was 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored, as Fort Wayne remains a half game back in the second-half Eastern Division standings. First baseman Trae Santos (.258) was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Right fielder Franmil Reyes (.240) had two doubles in four at-bats with a RBI and run scored. Third baseman Luis Tejada (.263) was 2-for-4 with a RBI and run. Left fielder Henry Charles (.246) had a double in three at-bats for three RBIs. Starting right-handed pitcher Michael Kelly (5-2, 4.44) allowed three runs on six hits with four strikeouts in six innings. Righty Seth Lucio (3.19) struck out two in two perfect innings.
Short-Season Single-A Tri-City (16-13): Dust Devils 3, Spokane 1 (11 innings). Starting left-handed pitcher Travis Radke (3.41 ERA) allowed five hits with six strikeouts over five shutout innings. Right-handed pitcher Louis Distasio (2.61) allowed a hit with a strikeout in two scoreless innings. Left-handed pitcher Jerry Keel (2.19) allowed a run on two hits with two strikeouts in an inning. Righty Sam Holland (1-0, 2.70) allowed a hit and a walk in two scoreless innings to get the win. And righty Luis Hernandez (4.61) walked one in a hitless 11th to get his first save. First baseman Ty France (.244), from San Diego State, was 1-for-3 with a walk and a RBI.
Arizona Rookie Padres (9-12): The Padres had Friday off.
Dominican Summer League Padres (17-25): Diamondbacks 5, Padres 3. Right-handed pitcher Jordis Ramos allowed three runs on a hit and three walks with a strikeout in his debut with the Padres. Righty Erick De Los Santos (7.84) allowed a hit and four walks with five strikeouts in three scoreless innings. Lefty Eisler Cordova (7.31) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts in three innings.