Right fielder Hunter Renfroe hit a two-run homer and infielder Casey McElroy pushed his batting average back toward .400 Thursday night as Triple-A El Paso scored a 7-6, 10-inning victory over Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, there was considerable news among catchers in the Padres' organization Thursday. Catcher Austin Allen of Fort Wayne was named the Midwest League Player of the Month. Allen, 22, the Padres' fifth-round draft pick last June, hit .460 in April with a .603 slugging percentage and a 1.143 OPS. He opened the season with an 11-game hitting streak that included eight multihit games. He had more walks (10) than strikeouts (eight) in April.
Catcher Jason Hagerty, who is hitting .349, was placed on El Paso's seven-day disabled list with elbow soreness. Ricardo Valenzuela was promoted from San Antonio to El Paso to fill Hagerty's roster spot, A.J. Kennedy was moved from Fort Wayne to San Antonio and catcher Kyle Overstreet was moved from extended spring straining to Fort Wayne to back up Allen.
In other moves, right-handed pitcher Elliot Ashbeck (2-1, 1.71 ERA) was promoted from Fort Wayne to Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore, while right-hander Trey Wingenter went from Lake Elsinore to Fort Wayne.
McElroy (.395) had two doubles in four at-bats with two RBIs and two runs scored as El Paso evened its record at 13-13. Renfroe (.271) drove in two runs with his fifth homer in four at-bats.
Starting right-handed pitcher Carlos Pimental (5.88 ERA) gave up six runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Right-hander Derek Eitel (2-0, 2.03) pitched a perfect 10th to get the win.
Around the farm
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (9-18): Frisco 11, MISSIONS 4. C Ryan Miller (.302) had a double and a homer in four at-bats for three RBIs. RF Yeison Asencio (.250) was 2-for-5 with a RBI. Starting RHP Bryce Morrow (0-3, 6.75 ERA) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks with four strikeouts in five innings. RHP Rafael De Paula (5.40) allowed five runs on five hits with two strikeouts in an inning. LHP Ramon Benjamin (5.54) allowed a run on two hits in two innings.
CLASS A ADVANCED LAKE ELSINORE (12-16): MODESTO 8, Storm 0. DH Luis Urias (.301) was 2-for-4 with his fourth steal of the season. Starting LHP Thomas Dorminy (0-4, 8.76 ERA) allowed eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits and four walks with seven strikeouts In 4 1/3 innings.
CLASS A FORT WAYNE (15-13): KANE COUNTY 6, TinCaps 2. Starting LHP Logan Allen (2-1, 1.89 ERA) allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits and four strikeouts in four innings. RHP Emmanuel Ramirez (7.27) gave up three runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. LHP Jerry Keel (3.09) allowed a hit with a strikeout in 1 1/3 scoreless innings. 1B Brad Zunica (.250) was 2-for-4.