Padres Minor-League Report: Braden Nett Shines, Storm Drop Another Game, TinCaps Postponed

El Paso’s Clay Dungan and San Antonio’s Braden Nett starred, but Padres affiliates combined to go 1–2 on the day, with Fort Wayne rained out. Carlos Rodriguez and Zach Evans continued producing for Lake Elsinore, though the Storm struggled defensively. Braden Nett struck out 10 in a scoreless start, while Austin Krob turned in another solid relief outing.

Rough Outing from Starters Sinks Chihuahuas in 8–4 Loss
Box Score

El Paso’s pitching unravelled early, as starter Omar Cruz allowed six runs (five earned) in just two innings during Wednesday’s 8–4 loss to Reno. Cruz was tagged for two home runs, including a 3rd-inning solo shot by Trey Mancini, as part of a 6-run outburst by the Aces before the third inning ended.

Austin Krob was steady in relief, working two innings without an earned run, his second straight outing allowing no runs after surrendering three runs on June 10th. Bryan Hoeing followed with two clean frames, but Jason Blanchard allowed two crucial runs in the 9th, ballooning his ERA to 7.16.

Clay Dungan paced El Paso’s offense with a 3-for-5 night, including a 5th-inning two-run homer, his second in his last three games. Mason McCoy added two hits and an RBI, continuing a strong June in which he’s hitting .340 in the month. Despite four extra-base hits, the Chihuahuas went just 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position.

Luis Campusano struck out three times, and his OPS remains above 1.000. El Paso is 6-4 in its last 10 games.

Pitching Dominates as Missions Walk Off in 1–0 Win
Box Score

A stellar pitching performance carried the San Antonio Missions to a 1–0 walk-off win over Frisco, culminating in a ninth-inning RBI infield single from catcher Brandon Valenzuela. The switch-hitter, one of the Padres’ top catching prospects, now has 30 RBIs on the season and is batting .271.

Braden Nett delivered 5 2/3 shutout innings, allowing six hits while striking out ten. It was his second consecutive appearance with 7+ strikeouts, continuing a surge that has dropped his ERA to 3.58 over 55 1/3 innings. Stephen Jones and Ryan Och bridged the middle innings with three more strikeouts over 2 1/3 scoreless frames.

Tyson Neighbors earned the win with a high-octane ninth inning, striking out three. Neighbors has nine strikeouts over his last 6 1/3 innings pitched.

Offensively, San Antonio managed just three hits, including a double from Moisés Gómez and another from Anthony Vilar, who has reached base in last eight games. The Missions have now won six of their last seven games.

Storm Drop Finale Despite Rodriguez, Evans Efforts in 5–3 Loss
Box Score

Lake Elsinore struck out 14 times and stranded multiple rallies in a 5–3 loss to Rancho Cucamonga, capping a frustrating morning for the Storm offense. Carlos Rodriguez doubled and walked, then scored in a two-run 6th that briefly narrowed the deficit. 

Zach Evans plated both 6th-inning runs with a two-out single, and is now hitting .298 on the season. Outfielder Ryan Wilson added his 11th double of the season but struck out twice.

Starter Kash Mayfield lasted three innings, allowing just one run (unearned), but struck out eight batters. Vicarte Domingo followed with a tough outing, allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks. Bernard Jose was the only Storm pitcher not to allow a run.

Lake Elsinore went just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and committed two errors. Despite solid contributions from several ranked prospects, the Storm have now lost five in a row, with offensive consistency and defense proving to be ongoing issues.

Interested in learning more about the San Diego Padres' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!