Padres Minor League Report: Walk-offs, Bullpen Blips, And A Shutout Shine

[Brock Beauchamp]

Forrest Wall finished El Paso’s four-run rally with a walk-off single after hits from Luis Campusano and Clay Dungan. Victor Lizarraga tossed five strong innings, but San Antonio’s bullpen collapsed despite Kai Murphy’s two-run double. High-A righty Isaiah Lowe matched that effort, and Rosman Verdugo put Fort Wayne ahead in the tenth before the lead slipped away. Maikel Miralles, Braian Salazar, and Johan Moreno spun a three-hit shutout while Victor Figueroa provided Lake Elsinore’s sole run.

Padres Transactions

• Recalled RHP Ron Marinaccio from El Paso Chihuahuas. 
• Optioned LHP Kyle Hart to El Paso Chihuahuas.

Wall’s walk-off single completes Chihuahuas’ rally
Box Score

El Paso erased an early four-run deficit and walked off Sugar Land, 5-4, when Forrest Wall lined a single to center that chased home courtesy runner Mike Brosseau in the 10th.

Wall’s heroics capped a two-hit night for the designated hitter, who also doubled in the fourth. The comeback began in the second when Tim Locastro’s two-out double plated Clay Dungan. El Paso tied the game with a three-run third: Luis Campusano dropped an RBI single into right, and Dungan followed with a two-run double to the gap in right-center. Campusano finished 2-for-4, while Dungan reached twice, drove in two, stole his 23rd base, and later swiped second again in the ninth.

Logan Gillaspie was tagged for four runs in 1 1/3 innings, but Miguel Cienfuegos steadied the game with 3 2/3 scoreless frames. Sean Reynolds and Alek Jacob combined for 3 innings without a hit, setting the stage for Eduarniel Núñez. The right-hander struck out four over 2 hitless innings to earn the win and move to 2-0.

Luis Campusano’s two hits pushed the catcher’s batting average to .301, and Brandon Lockridge scored the tying run after singling and advancing on a wild pitch. El Paso totaled eight hits but made them count, going 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position to finish the comeback in front of 8,078 at Southwest University Park.

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Bullpen spoils solid start as Missions fall, 8–4
Box Score

San Antonio built an early cushion at Nelson Wolff Stadium, but a seven-run surge sent the Missions to an 8–4 defeat on Friday night.

Victor Lizarraga set the tone with 5 strong innings, scattering five hits and one run while striking out five. The 21-year-old right-hander left with a 4–1 lead, thanks to a three-run second inning that began when Marcos Castañon singled and Ripken Reyes was hit by a pitch. Kai Murphy ripped an RBI double to right, and Jacob Campbell followed with a two-run single through the right side.

Anthony Vilar walked twice, stole third, and scored on Romeo Sanabria’s sacrifice fly in the fifth to stretch the advantage to three runs. Castañon finished 2-for-3 with a walk, reaching base three times, while Murphy added a walk to reach safely twice.

The bullpen couldn’t make it stand. Kevin Kopps surrendered two runs in the sixth, and J.B. Wendelken (1-1) was tagged for five more in the eighth, highlighted by a bases-clearing double that flipped the scoreboard. Ryan Och settled things with 1 2/3 scoreless frames, but the damage was done.

Murphy added a defensive highlight in the sixth, cutting down a runner at the plate with a throw from center field. Vilar’s ninth-inning groundout ended the night, leaving San Antonio with just four hits despite seven walks.

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Verdugo’s 10th-inning Single Gives TinCaps Late Hope in Extra-Inning Setback
Box Score

Fort Wayne received a strong outing from right-hander Isaiah Lowe, who limited Cedar Rapids to one run on five hits across 5 2/3 innings while striking out three.

The TinCaps opened the scoring in the fourth. Braedon Karpathios worked a walk, Brendan Durfee singled, and Sean Barnett shot a line drive into left to bring Karpathios home.  Barnett finished 2-for-4, reaching base twice and collecting his 17th RBI of the year.

Trailing 2-1 in the ninth, Fort Wayne loaded the bases on a Rosman Verdugo walk, a Barnett single, and a Kaden Hollow free pass. Ryan Jackson then drew a four-pitch walk, forcing in Verdugo with the tying run. Jackson, who reached three times, also doubled earlier and handled six defensive chances at second base.

With the automatic runner at second in the 10th, Verdugo delivered again. The third baseman lined a two-out single to left, racing Leo De Vries home for a 3-2 advantage.  Verdugo finished 1-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored, while De Vries stole his eighth base and scored once.

Fort Wayne’s bullpen struck out eight over 3 1/3 innings, but Cedar Rapids answered with two runs in the bottom of the 10th to hand the TinCaps a 4-3 defeat. 

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Figueroa’s RBI and Miralles’ Six Scoreless Push Storm Past Ports
Box Score

Lake Elsinore made the most of its five singles at Banner Island Ballpark, turning Victor Figueroa’s sixth-inning knock into the night’s lone run. Chase Valentine coaxed a walk, took third on Kasen Wells’ second hit of the game, and scored when Figueroa lined a single to left for his 30th RBI. The first baseman also walked, reaching twice in a 1-for-3 effort. Wells finished 2-for-4, lifting his average to .279, while Kale Fountain, Alex McCoy, and Figueroa added the other Storm hits. Fountain later drew a walk but was erased on a pickoff at second.

Right-hander Maikel Miralles (2-1) commanded over six shutout innings, scattering two singles, issuing two walks, and striking out three to trim his ERA to 3.66. Braian Salazar bridged the seventh with a perfect frame highlighted by two punchouts. Johan Moreno picked up his first save, working two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, one walk, and fanning two. The trio combined to hold the opposition to 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and just three hits overall.

The Storm defense contributed as well: Valentine started a slick 6-4-3 double play to end a threat in the second. Lake Elsinore left seven on base but needed only Figueroa’s timely swing and airtight pitching to secure the 1-0 victory.

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