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Padres Press Clips Friday, June 16, 2017 Article Source Author Page Double-A San Antonio clinches first-half title UT San Diego Sanders 2 Bloodlines a factor for pair of Padres draft picks UT San Diego Lin 5 Renfroe bonded with dad over camper trips MLB.com Cassavell 8 Inbox: Why did Friars draft catchers so early? MLB.com Cassavell 10 Green has changed Padres travel pattern Padres.com Center 12 In the Hunt: San Diego Padres give Blake his shot LA Times Turner 14 Diaz faces former organization as Padres visit Brewers FOX Sports Staff 18 This Day in Padres History, 6/15 Friar Wire Center 20 Padres On Deck: Double-A San Antonio Could Clinch Friar Wire Center 21 First-Half Title Tonight

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Double-A San Antonio clinches first-half title Jeff Sanders

A year ago, Double-A San Antonio limped to the worst record among all Padres affiliates. The script has flipped in 2017 for San Diego’s Texas League affiliate.

Alberth Martinez and Nick Torres homered on Thursday as the Missions wrapped up a first-half title – and a playoff berth – with a 6-4 win over host Frisco.

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With the win, the Missions (39-27) have a 5 ½ game lead in the South Division and are five wins better than the circuit’s next-best team.

Torres (.245) also singled and drove in three runs on his fifth homer. Meantime, Martinez (.277) drove in two runs and third baseman Ty France (.336) went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a walk and two runs scored.

Right-hander Brett Kennedy (6-3, 3.95) struck out three and allowed four runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Left Brad Wieck (3.00) struck out one in the ninth to secure his fourth save.

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (33-34)

• Chihuahuas 5, Tacoma 1: DH Ryan Schimpf (.250) went 2-for-4 with his second homer and CF Rafael Ortega (.315) and LF Nick Buss (.379) went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. RHP Cesar Vargas (1-0, 0.00) turned in a perfect 1 2/3 innings in relief for the win after RHP Zach Lee (5.32) allowed a run on four hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings in the start.

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HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (33-34)

• Storm 9, Stockton 2: RHP Jesse Scholtens (3-1 2.61) struck out seven and allowed two runs on five – two homers – and no walks in a complete game. RF Edwin Moreno (.288) doubled, hit his third homer and drove in two runs, 1B Josh Naylor (.309) went 3-for-5 with a double and DH Kyle Overstreet (.289) went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.

LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (24-43)

• Lake County 7, TinCaps 3: RHP Ronald Bolanos (4.56) struck out five, allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings and was in line for the win when RHP Blake Rogers (2-2, 5.40) allowed five runs in 2/3 of an inning. C Marcus Greene Jr. (.280) went 2-for-4 with his fifth homer and three RBIs and SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (.260) and 1B Brad Zunica (.236) both had two hits.

SHORT-SEASON TRI-CITY (1-0)

• Dust Devils 10, Salem-Keizer 4: RF Luis Asuncion (.600) homered and went 3-for-5 with a double, Josh Magee (.400) doubled, tripled and drove in four runs in five at-bats and 2B Justin Lopez (.400), C Steve Bean (.400) and DH Boomer White (.400) all had two hits. RHP Austin Smith (1-0, 0.00) threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win after RHP Emmanuel Ramirez (4.76) struck out five and allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings in the start.

ROOKIE DSL PADRES (6-5)

• Reds 5, Padres 4: LHP Carlos Valenzuela (4.15) struck out eight and allowed two runs – one earned – in five innings. SS Bryan Torres (.341) went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI and DH Gilberto Vizcarra (.231) went 2-for-5 with an RBI.

Notable

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• 2B Luis Urias was out of the San Antonio lineup a day after taking a pitch off the elbow forced him out of the game. He will be reevaluated Friday.

• RHP Jim McDade was transferred from Fort Wayne to Tri-City as RHP Wilmer Torres was activated from Fort Wayne’s disabled list.

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Bloodlines a factor for pair of Padres draft picks Dennis Lin

Later this month, a collection of young men, some just weeks removed from their senior proms, will embark on their professional baseball careers. They will visit unfamiliar locales, adopt rigorous routines and play inside mostly empty stadiums.

For many, the adjustment will be jarring. For a select few, it could be relatively smooth.

On Wednesday, the Padres completed their latest draft. Among the 41 selections were two with pro pedigree: catcher Luis Campusano-Bracero, taken in the second round, and right-hander Cole Bellinger, plucked in the 15th.

Campusano, from Cross Creek High in Georgia, has a father who played the game. Genaro Campusano spent four seasons in the minors, first in the Pirates’ organization, then with the Rangers.

Hamilton (Ariz.) High’s Bellinger has a father who played the game, and a brother who is a leading Rookie of the Year candidate. Eighteen years after Clay Bellinger debuted as a utility man with the Yankees, rookie first baseman Cody Bellinger is launching majestic home runs for the Dodgers.

When drafting the pair, the Padres took bloodlines into account. It is a term often used by Director of Player Personnel Logan White, who employed a family-tree strategy during his time as the Dodgers’ scouting director. More than a few of White’s draft picks had siblings or fathers who came before them. (Besides Cody Bellinger, examples include Corey Seager, Joc Pederson and Preston Mattingly.)

“Logan talks about it all the time,” Padres General Manager A.J. Preller said. “You’re just constantly looking for guys where there’s that tie to the game. … It doesn’t necessarily guarantee anything. Obviously, there’s tons of great players (whose)

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parents never played baseball or haven’t been around it. But when you look at the number of kids that come out of baseball families that continue playing the game, it’s something that we factor in.”

While newer to catching than some of his peers, Luis Campusano emerged as the top-rated backstop in his draft class. Cole Bellinger is less heralded than his older brother, but his potential on the mound intrigued the Padres. Familial connections for both draftees should only help.

“This is what we believe,” said Scouting Director Mark Conner, who selected Cal Quantrill, son of former big-leaguer Paul Quantrill, eighth overall last June. “It helps them be wired in the right way. They’re wired to play baseball. They’ve lived it, they’ve been around it, they’ve seen it, they understand the environment. And a lot of the kids that haven’t been around that are coming to an environment they’ve never seen. So there’s a lot more comfort, there’s an understanding of how to do things from a maturity standpoint, just a physical standpoint.”

“Even if it’s a small separator, you’re looking at two different guys,” Preller added. “A guy that maybe it’s a shock what’s going to happen when they sign here in a couple weeks, playing baseball as a profession. And somebody that it’s just kind of a way of life and something they’ve been around.”

As Campusano put it, “It’s pretty nice to have a father who played professional baseball, teaching you what to expect.”

Double team

If Campusano and Bellinger sign professional contracts in the near future, they likely will be assigned to the Arizona Rookie League, a common destination for recently drafted high school and college players. To which roster remains to be seen.

After a mass influx of lower-level talent last summer, the Padres decided to begin fielding two AZL teams in 2017. San Diego is the only franchise with two affiliates in the league this season.

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With more players about to enter the organization, the additional roster space should prove beneficial.

“You’re trying to create an atmosphere where young players can really develop, and you’re trying to create an atmosphere for your scouts where they’re being aggressive and guys are going to get opportunity,” Preller said. “Sometimes you start stacking guys on top of each other and it really slows down their development curve because they just don’t get as much opportunity.

“Credit to ownership to want to put in for the extra team and add to the expense, knowing that that’s going to help the development for those guys.”

The “AZL Padres 2” team’s opener is June 24. The “AZL Padres” will play their first game the next day.

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Renfroe bonded with dad over camper trips By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com | SAN DIEGO -- Before Hunter Renfroe turned 10, he had already played hundreds of games across his native Mississippi.

Traveling to a new tournament every weekend, Todd Renfroe noticed rather quickly that his son's schedule would only get more intense over the years. "Hotel rooms are expensive," Todd Renfroe said. "Food is expensive. We were going to go out of town every weekend. So you either go broke buying food and hotel rooms, or you buy a camper."

They chose the latter in the form of a brand new 2003 Cherokee fifth wheel.

"That camper solidified they were in it for me until I didn't want to be in it," Hunter Renfroe said. "We still have the camper to this day."

That camper transported Todd and Hunter across the southeastern United States. It left countless baseball diamonds and memories in its wake.

Like the time Renfroe's team, the Mississippi Bandits, was knocked out surprisingly early from a tournament in Gulfport, Miss.

"It was a week-long tournament, so we just went down to Gulf Shores, Ala., and we stayed the rest of the week at the beach," Todd said.

Todd recalled the trip fondly. Hunter did, too, perhaps for different reasons.

"We were surrounded by pine trees at the campground. And literally, you could not stand outside, because there were so many mosquitoes," Hunter said. "It was hilarious -- we'd go outside, cook outside, run back inside and eat. That night, we had a bunch of raccoons coming up onto the steps of the camper begging for food. It was crazy. But it was a lot of fun."

The Renfroes credit their trips around the state in that camper for their lasting friendship.

And make no mistake, the father-son relationship between Todd and Hunter is most certainly a friendship. Todd was the best man in Hunter's wedding, and the two still regularly hunt and fish together.

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"Me being an only child, he was always there pitching to me, working with me at the field," Hunter said. "It was always fun to be with him, doing all that traveling, being with him the whole time. He's always been my best friend since."

In the 14 years since the Renfroes invested in their Cherokee fifth wheel, Hunter made the College World Series with Mississippi State, was drafted by the Padres and has developed into one of the Majors' top rookies this season. In short: plenty has changed.

The camper hasn't.

"I'm looking at it right now," Todd Renfroe said over the phone. "It's still in great shape."

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Inbox: Why did Friars draft catchers so early? Beat reporter AJ Cassavell answers fans' questions

By AJ Cassavell / MLB.com |

What's with the selection of two catchers in the first three rounds of the Draft? -- Arvind, San Diego

There's no such thing as too much organizational catching depth. Luis Campusano-Bracero and Blake Hunt were always high on the Padres' Draft board. And when they were both available on Day 1, executive vice president and general manager A.J. Preller jumped at the chance to land the duo. The Padres are perfectly content with Austin Hedges behind the dish. (Preller even joked that Hedges has nothing to worry about.) The two young catching prospects are a long way from being Major League ready. And if they reach that point, there are 29 teams searching for a young backstop. San Diego might even need one by then. • Submit a question to the Padres Inbox

Casting the duo aside as trade bait is a bit too simplistic. They've both been lauded for their work behind the plate -- specifically how well they handle pitching staffs. What better way to develop young pitchers in the organization than to give them a pair of excellent catchers to work with? Besides the bullpen arms, any trade chips that might surprise people at the non-waiver Trade Deadline? -- Austin M., Scottsdale, Ariz. Lefty relievers Brad Hand and, to a lesser extent, Ryan Buchter are probably the Padres' two most visible trade chips right now. Behind them, Yangervis Solarte has been mentioned several times. No doubt his switch-hitting bat and his ability to play second and third could help a contender. If Jhoulys Chacin can prove he can pitch away from Petco Park, he might draw some interest, too. (Though he wouldn't fetch much of a return as a pending free agent.) One player to keep an eye on is Jose Pirela, who has raked since his arrival last week. No, his current pace isn't sustainable. But Pirela seems like precisely the type of platoon piece a contender might be interested in, given his ability to crush left-handed pitching and play both infield and outfield. Do any of the Rule 5 Draft picks have a chance to stay in the Majors after the 2017 season? -- Garrett, La Habra, Calif.

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In the last Inbox, we discussed whether the three Rule 5 Draft players would stick with the Padres through the end of this season. Our conclusion: Yes, they probably will. If they do, it seems very likely Luis Torrens and Miguel Diaz would begin the 2018 season in the Minor Leagues. Torrens has been overmatched by big league pitching. And while Diaz has held his own in the bullpen, San Diego views him as a long-term starter, and he's best served to continue that development in Double-A or Triple-A. That leaves Allen Cordoba, whose bat is clearly advanced enough despite the fact that he had never played a game above Rookie ball before Opening Day. He's played mostly outfield this season, though the Padres view him long-term as a shortstop. Cordoba's opportunities at short will increase as the year goes on. Think of that as his early audition for a 2018 roster spot. Do you think Franchy Cordero will stay up with the big league club to play left field when Manuel Margot comes back? -- Tommy, San Diego

Margot (left calf strain) is ticketed for a rehab stint that could begin as early as next week. He could be on track for a return before the end of the month. But where, exactly, does Margot fit when Cordero and Pirela have been the Padres' two best hitters since he was placed on the DL? I'd guess that Margot slots right back into center field. Cordero could probably still use a bit more seasoning at Triple-A. But if he hasn't slowed down by then, Cordero could shift to left, where he's more likely to fit in the long-term anyway. Pirela, meanwhile, could still play regularly, spelling all three outfielders and Solarte and Cory Spangenberg in the infield. What is Pirela's future with the club if he keeps hitting? -- Kevin A., San Diego

Pirela won't keep hitting like this, because he can't keep hitting like this. His .441/.513/.735 pace since his June 6 callup is not sustainable. That said, there's reason to believe Pirela's bat can stick in the Majors. He's always hit the ball hard, and now, it seems, he's getting the results to show for it.

Pirela's long-term future with the Padres is probably as a versatile bench piece who can rake against left-handed pitching. (Or, as mentioned above, if he continues to hit, he could fit nicely on a contender in exchange for a prospect.)

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Green has changed Padres travel pattern The Padres are 19-9 against Cincinnati over past four seasons

By Bill Center / MLB.com | The Padres are off today.

But they are already in Milwaukee for Friday's opener of a three-game series with the Brewers at Miller Park. After that, it's off to Chicago for three games with the Cubs before returning to Petco Park for the longest homestand of the season (nine games over 10 days). The point is, they are in Milwaukee the day before the series begins.

This is because of one change Padres manager Andy Green has made from past regimes.

Historically, when the Padres had a day off after a homestand, they flew on the day off. Under Green, when the Padres have a day off after a homestand, they fly immediately after the last game of the homestand.

The reason for the change is that Green wants his team in the next city as soon as possible to give his players a little extra time to adjust to the climate and the time change.

This marks the third time this season that the Padres have spent an off day on the road after ending a homestand.

"It costs the team a bit more money," Green said. "But there are benefits. I like the idea of having a chance to adjust to any time change or climate change."

So, how did the Padres spend their day off in Milwaukee? Golf.

NOTE WORTHY: --RHP Jhoulys Chacin improved to 6-5 while lowering his earned run average to 5.10 Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts in seven innings. Chacin is now 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in seven starts at Petco Park this season while going 2-4 with a 10.27 ERA in seven road starts. Chacin is scheduled to start next Tuesday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

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--Over the past four series, the Padres are 19-9 against the Reds after the three-game sweep they concluded Wednesday. Cincinnati has not won a season series against the Padres since 2012. --RF Hunter Renfroe hit his 14th home run Wednesday. The home run followed a run of 18 straight hitless at-bats. Renfroe's 14 homers ties the Padres' rookie record for home runs before the All-Star break. The record was set by Nate Colbert during the Padres inaugural National League season of 1969. --LF Jose Pirela was 0-for-3 Wednesday -- although he drew a walk and scored a run -- to end a career-best, seven-game hitting streak. Pirela was 14-for-27 during the streak. His average dropped from .484 to .441 Wednesday. --3B Cory Spangenberg saw his five-game hitting streak (10-for-18) come to a screeching halt Wednesday. He struck out four straight times.

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In the Hunt: San Diego Padres give Blake his shot Andrew Turner

The 2017 Major League Baseball First-year Player Draft supplied an uncanny amount of Orange County connections.

Three county players were selected in the top 14, including the No. 1 overall pick in UC Irvine commit Royce Lewis.

Although he can play multiple positions, the Minnesota Twins chose Lewis out of San Juan Capistrano JSerra Catholic High with the intent of developing him as a shortstop.

Having played in the same league his entire career, Mater Dei catcher Blake Hunt was more than happy to share the spotlight. While the scouts were probably showing up to closely observe a next-level talent like Lewis, or the next hot arm like Sherman Oaks Notre Dame’s Hunter Greene, Hunt recognized their presence was also an opportunity for himself.

“That’s only beneficial to me, and it was this season, because if it’s a name on the other team, they’ll still see me play as well,” Hunt said. “Luckily, I’m able to perform whenever they are there for those other people.

“When we played (Orange Lutheran) and JSerra, Garrett Mitchell and Royce (Lewis), there’s a lot of eyes. You’ve got guys on each side of the diamond that can play.”

Trinity League players are privy to a number of high-exposure events. Hunt’s favorite was a trip back to North Carolina for the USA Baseball National High School Invitational his junior year.

In addition, Mater Dei and JSerra co-host the Boras Classic, an annual showcase that Hunt had three chances to play in. He recalled the stands being filled with as many as

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60 to 75 scouts for the tournament this year, when they matched up against Notre Dame and Corona Santiago.

Hunt’s draft stock rose as he played in front of bigger crowds. Evaluators were impressed with his defensive skills, and the San Diego Padres thought enough of the Monarchs backstop to make him a first-day selection.

A sizable crowd of family, friends, and neighbors gathered around the television at the Hunt house on Monday. Hunt received 15 minutes of advanced notice that he was going to be picked.

He told only one person, his teammate Maxwell Foxcroft, who had been sitting right next to him when he received the call.

“I had some friends go on a little walk with me and just kind of be there for me,” Hunt said. “It was really emotional because you’ve worked for it this long, and when you’ve finally achieved it, it seemed like a dream.”

Those 15 minutes must have felt like 15 years. Hunt reckons he contacted his agent (Erik Castro of PSI Sports), still in a state of disbelief only minutes before his name was called.

“I didn’t believe it,” Hunt remarked. “I actually texted my agent five minutes before, ‘Is this still happening?’ I was expecting it to fall through.”

If his emotions were hard to keep in check, it has been the same way for his parents, too. Hunt claims that his mom, Cyndi, has not stopped crying since the announcement was made on Monday.

“So happy to see his dreams come true, and still, humility came through on him,” Cyndi said, the tears of joy still flowing prior to her son’s practice session on Wednesday morning. “He couldn’t believe it, either. I’m just so proud of him to see his dream fulfilled. That’s any mother’s wish.

“The love that was in the room, the nice thing about it is that the people that were there during that moment would have supported him whether it happened or not.”

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The Padres selected Hunt with the 69th overall pick, a slot that commands a recommended signing bonus of $858,600.

To entice him to forego his commitment to Pepperdine University, Hunt said the Padres are set to offer him above slot value. He plans to sign his deal on Sunday.

Hunt, a Costa Mesa resident, grew up playing with a pair of Huntington Beach Oilers who were also part of the 2017 draft class – Nick Pratto (14th to the Kansas City Royals) and Hagen Danner (61st to the Toronto Blue Jays).

“I played travel ball with Blake since the age of 9 or 10,” Pratto said. “He has made some amazing strides in his game. He made a complete swing change, and he really focused on his defense and became the player he is all on his own.

“On top of all the talent, though, he has been a great friend and teammate over the years.”

Hunt has had access to premium mentors. He has learned under former major-leaguer Brent Mayne as a catching instructor.

For the last five years, he has worked with Adam Kennedy, who was the Anaheim Angels’ second baseman when they won the World Series in 2002.

“His talent level is through the roof,” Kennedy said of Hunt. “Size, speed, and strength. The work that he has put in over his high school career when I’ve been around, the extra work with his trainers to get stronger and faster, and to use all of those abilities and not just sit on them.

“He has really maximized them up to this point, with room for growth, which is really something good for the Padres to look forward to, and him, as well.”

Growing up a San Francisco Giants fan, Hunt naturally idolizes Buster Posey. There are few in the same league as the Giants catcher, as he won a World Series title as a rookie and three by the end of his fifth full season.

Hunt is headed to the right division if he is seeking an up-close-and-personal meeting at home plate with his favorite player.

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Catchers as offensively-gifted as Posey are sometimes asked to play other positions to preserve their bodies, and their bats, for the long haul. Their game-calling skills are sometimes missed in that instance. There lies the value that scouts, and Hunt, believe that he brings to the Padres.

“I think they’re getting a pretty good defensive catcher if we’re talking about the physical side of things,” Hunt said. “I think I play with a steady confidence. I’m in control of the field, and that is what a catcher should be – be able to control everything that is going on and direct the defense.

“Offensively, I think I’m a pretty raw hitter, but I have some potential there, and I think I have some raw power that I can bring to the table.”

Hunt is a 6 feet 4, 205-pound right-handed hitter. He posted a .394 batting average, leading the Monarchs in several categories with nine doubles, six home runs, and 28 RBI as a senior this season.

The Padres have a history with Trinity League catchers. Their current starter at the position, Austin Hedges, is a JSerra alumnus.

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Diaz faces former organization as Padres visit Brewers (Jun 16, 2017) MILWAUKEE — For the last four seasons, Miguel Diaz honed his craft in the Milwaukee Brewers’ farm system.

Friday night, he’ll get a chance to show them how far he has come.

But when he takes the mound at Miller Park in Milwaukee, it won’t be as a member of the Brewers. Instead, he will pitch for the San Diego Padres, who come to town for a three-game weekend series.

San Diego selected Diaz, who was 1-8 with a 3.71 ERA in 26 appearances (15 starts) last season for Class A Wisconsin, in the Rule 5 draft in December. He began the season in San Diego’s bullpen, going 1-1 with a 7.50 ERA in 21 appearances and a 2.31 ERA since May 6.

Manager Andy Green moved him into the rotation June 10, when he worked two scoreless innings with a strikeout against the Royals.

“Now he’s on a regimented schedule where I think we can start to see and expect some real progress in him,” Green said. “I’m excited for what he brings. Do I expect him to go five innings next time? No, probably not, not at this point in time. But I expect him to continue to move toward that; and, before this is all said and done, I expect him to be well beyond that.”

He worked three scoreless innings against Milwaukee on May 16 in San Diego, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two.

The Padres will be well-rested after arriving in Milwaukee on Wednesday night and enjoying a day off Thursday, while the Brewers will be looking to keep their momentum rolling after rallying late for a 6-4 victory at St. Louis, where they took a series from the Cardinals for the second time this season.

They return home still sitting atop the National League Central, 2 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Cubs.

“It’s pretty cool — the fact that a lot of people thought that we’d be in first for a week and then fall off,” said first baseman Eric Thames, whose home run with two outs in the ninth inning Thursday broke a 4-4 tie. “But it’s a whole new team. You feel the confidence, you feel the mojo. A lot of new faces, young faces.

“I’m excited; everybody’s excited. Let’s keep rolling.”

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It’ll be up to Junior Guerra to set the tone as he takes the mound for his sixth start of the season.

He pitched well but took a loss his last time out, holding the Diamondbacks to three runs on five hits over six innings.

“I thought he pitched well,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “He battled like he always does. He pitched himself out of jams. A solid outing for sure.”

The three runs were the most allowed this season by Guerra, who missed six weeks after suffering a strained calf three innings into his first career Opening Day start. Overall, he’s 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA this season.

He has faced the Padres twice — both times last season, going 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA.

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This Day in Padres History, 6/15 Wins on decisive homers by Carter, Finley By Bill Center

June 15, 1983 — Ed Whitson allows only three hits and an unearned run in a complete game as the Padres defeat the Reds 3–1 at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

June 15, 1990 — Center fielder Joe Carter hits a two-run homer in the top of the 13th to give the Padres a 3–1 win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

June 15, 1996 — Center fielder Steve Finley hits a two-run homer in the sixth to lead the Padres to a 2–1 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

June 15, 2015 — Bud Black fired after 8 ½ seasons as the Padres manager. He was the 16th manager in Padres history with the second-longest tenure.

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Padres On Deck: Double-A San Antonio Could Clinch First-Half Title Tonight Missions’ “magic number” in Texas League South is two

By Bill Center

The Padres Double-A San Antonio affiliate could clinch the Texas League South first-half division championship tonight.

Starting right-handed pitcher Chris Huffman allowed two runs over six innings and catcher Stephen McGee had a homer and three RBIs Thursday as San Antonio scored a 6–3 win at Frisco to improve to a Texas League-best 38–27 and reduce their first-half magic number to two.

At El Paso, the Triple-A Chihuahuas got homers from Carlos Asuaje, Jabari Blash and Diego Goris to defeat Tacoma 9–6.

The short-season Single-A Tri-City Dust Devils open the Northwest League season Thursday night.

Huffman gave up nine hits and two walks with five strikeouts. He is 2–0 with a 1.73 earned run average for San Antonio.

Three relievers each worked a hitless inning. Right-hander Aroni Nina (0.00 ERA) struck out two in a perfect seventh. Left-hander Brad Weick (3.13) struck out one in a perfect inning. Right-hander Trey Wingenter (2.35) allowed a run, issuing three walks with a strikeout in an inning.

McGee (.274) was 2-for-3 with a walk. Left fielder Alberth Martinez (.278) was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Right fielder Nick Torres (.240) was 2-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored. Designated

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hitter Franmil Reyes (.290) was 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. First baseman Noah Perio (.249) was 1-for-5 with two RBIs.

Second baseman Asuaje (.242) was 2-for-4 with the game-winning homer, three RBIs and two runs scored. Blash (.265) was 2-for-4 with his 11th homer and two RBIs. Goris (.279) had a homer, two RBIs and two runs scored. First baseman Christian Villanueva (.308) was 2-for-3 with a triple and a run scored. Left fielder Nick Buss (.373) was 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Center fielder Rafael Ortega (.311) was 2-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Right-handed starter Bryan Rodriguez (4.89 ERA) allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts in six innings as El Paso improved to 32–34.

Right-hander Jason Jester (8.88) pitched a perfect seventh. Left-hander Keith Hessler (4.60) allowed two runs in one-third of an inning. Right hander Kevin Quackenbush (2–0, 4.22) allowed a run on two hits with two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings to get the win.

Around the Farm:

ADVANCED SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (32–34) — LANCASTER 4, Storm 0: RF Edwin Moreno (.283) was 2-for-4. 3B Ruddy Giron (.233) and CF Michael Gettys (.260) were each 1-for-3 with a walk. Starting RHP Jacob Nix (1–1, 3.00 ERA) allowed four runs (two earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts in six innings. RHP Gerardo Reyes (1.60) walked three with a strikeout in a scoreless inning. RHP Colby Blueberg (1.70) allowed a hit with a strikeout in a scoreless inning.

SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (24–42) — Starting RHP Jim McDade (2.45 ERA) allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits with three strikeouts in six innings. LHP Will Headean (1–4, 5.92) gave up three runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts in two innings to suffer the loss. DH Marcus Greene Jr. (.274) was 2-for-3 with a double, a homer and

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a walk for two runs scored. 2B Reinaldo Ilarraza (.198) was 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored. RF Jorge Oña (.300) was 1-for-4 with a homer, a walk and two RBIs. CF Jack Suwinski (.207) was 1-for-4 with a solo homer.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE PADRES (6–4) — Diamondbacks 4, PADRES 1: Starting RHP Moises Lugo (0.00 ERA) allowed four hits and two walks with three strikeouts over five innings. C Gilberto Vizcarra (.206) was 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI. RF Yordi Francisco (.263) was 2-for-4. LF Danny Tovar (.200) was 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored.