Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Right fielder Hunter Renfroe and catcher Austin Hedges homered for Triple-A El Paso on Saturday night, while center fielder Jon Jay was 1-for-3 with a run scored to help Class A Lake Elsinore win in his first rehab game.
Renfroe and Hedges, both Pacific Coast League postseason All-Stars, accounted for El Paso's only runs in a 6-2 loss to Albuquerque in the West Texas city.
Renfroe (.303) moved into a tie for the PCL home run lead with his 30th shot, while Hedges (.320) hit his 21st. Both were 1-for-4, as El Paso's record dropped to 73-68.
Right-hander Bryan Rodriguez (4-8, 5.11 earned run average) allowed four runs on six hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings. Right-hander Jason Jester (4.67 ERA) allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits with two strikeouts in two innings.
At Lake Elsinore, Jay started in center in his first game since suffering a right forearm fracture when he was hit by a pitch on June 19.
Shortstop Ruddy Giron (.419) was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while second baseman Luis Urias (.331) had an RBI double in three at-bats. First baseman Ty France (.313) was 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Right-handed starter Brett Kennedy (6-10, 3.80 ERA) allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts over six innings, as Lake Elsinore defeated High Desert, 2-1, to bring its season record to 69-69 -- while improving to 37-31 in the second half of the California League season.
Right-handed reliever Gerardo Reyes (4.85 ERA) followed Kennedy and allowed two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Right-hander Dylan Stoops (7.94 ERA) allowed a hit without retiring a hitter. Right-hander Trey Wingenter (1.87 ERA) allowed a hit with a strikeout in 1 1/3 scoreless innings to get his fourth save.
With three days to go in the Minor League season, there was considerable movement in the Padres' system.
Catcher Rocky Gale was promoted from Double-A San Antonio to El Paso, as the Chihuahuas continued to shape their roster for the PCL playoffs. Catcher Austin Allen was promoted from Class A Fort Wayne to San Antonio, while catcher Miguel Del Castillo was transferred from El Paso to Fort Wayne.
Right-handed pitchers Will Stillman and Evan Miller were returned from Arizona to Fort Wayne. Left-handed pitchers Eric Lauer and Joey Lucchesi were transferred from Fort Wayne to Arizona.
Around the farm
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (36-32, 58-80) - Corpus Christi 7, MISSIONS 1: Center fielder Auston Bousfield (.167) was 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a run scored, while shortstop River Stevens (.239) was 1-for-2 with a walk. Allen was 1-for-3 in his first start for the Missions. Righty Seth Simmons (3-4, 2.25 ERA) started and allowed five runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts in six innings. Right-hander T.J. Weir (6.02 ERA) allowed two runs on two hits with a walk and two strikeouts in two innings. Righty Jake Smith (1.59 ERA) pitched a perfect inning.
CLASS A FORT WAYNE (26-42, 62-76) - BOWLING GREEN 7, TinCaps 0: First baseman Tyler Selesky (.293) was 1-for-3 with a walk and LF Jose Carlos Urena (.237) was 1-for-4, recording Fort Wayne's only hits. Righty Emmanuel Ramirez (2-3, 4.71 ERA) started and allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts in five innings. Stillman (5.54 ERA) allowed two runs on two hits and three walks with a strikeout in 2 1/3 innings. Miller (2.45 ERA) issued a walk with two strikeouts in two-thirds of an otherwise perfect inning.
SHORT-SEASON CLASS A TRI-CITY (13-23, 32-42) - Vancouver 8, DUST DEVILS 0: Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (.273) had a triple in four at-bats, while left fielder Manny De Leon (.231) was 2-for-3. Designated hitter Tyler Moore (.242) was 1-for-2 with a walk. Southpaw Will Headean (4-5, 4.32 ERA) started and allowed three runs on six hits and five walks with seven strikeouts in five innings. Righty Jean Garcia (27.00 ERA) allowed a hit and a walk with a strikeout in a scoreless inning, while right-hander Phil Monroe (12.10 ERA) allowed four runs on two hits and two walks without retiring a hitter. Righty Daniel Erb (2.70 ERA) allowed a run on two hits and two walks with a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings. Right-hander Dominic DiSabatino (0.00 ERA) struck out one in a perfect 1 1/3 innings.
ARIZONA ROOKIE PADRES (25-30): The Arizona Rookie League season is completed.
DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE PADRES (36-33): The DSL season is completed.