Brock Beauchamp

San Diego’s decision to exercise Ramón Laureano’s 2026 club option keeps a 2025 midseason addition rostered after one of the most productive years of his career. The option covers the 2026 season at $6.5 million. The 31-year-old Laureano split 2025 between Baltimore and San Diego, appearing in 132 games and accumulating 488 plate appearances. He finished the year with a .281/.342/.512 triple slash, along with 24 home runs and seven stolen bases. His overall offensive line translated to a .364 wOBA and 138 wRC+. With the Padres, Laureano appeared in 50 games after his July 31 trade from the Orioles. In 198 plate appearances for San Diego, he hit .269/.323/.489 with nine home runs and three stolen bases. In San Diego, he posted a .347 wOBA and 127 wRC+, with a 6.6 percent walk rate and 23.7 percent strikeout rate. Defensively, Laureano continued to work primarily in the outfield corners. Statcast’s Outs Above Average metric graded him at -5 OAA for his time in San Diego. Over his combined time with Baltimore and San Diego, one defensive-value framework credited him with -8.7 defensive runs, while his overall WAR was 3.0. Laureano’s season also included multiple injured-list stints. Baltimore placed him on the 10-day injured list on May 24 with a left ankle sprain and later activated him on June 6. After the trade, San Diego placed him on the 10-day injured list on September 27 with a right index finger fracture, before activating him again on October 3.

It's hard to predict how this offseason will unfold, as there is an increasing chance of (yet another) MLB lockout following the 2026 season. Will teams spend big this offseason, hoping to create surety in the face of an unknown collective bargaining agreement? Or will they be hesitant in hopes of a favorable outcome for ownership groups? No matter how it shakes out, teams will need to compete in the 2026 season, and they'll need to sign free agents this winter. DiamondCentric has compiled a complete list of free agents, sortable and searchable by pretty much any metric you need. Looking for a first baseman? A catcher? We have you covered. We offer two pages for your reference: one for position players, the other for pitchers. Free Agent Hitters In the 2025-2026 MLB Offseason Complete List Of 2025-2026 MLB Free Agent Hitters DiamondCentric.net Here is a complete list of free agent hitters in the 2025-2026 MLB offseason. Free Agent Pitchers In the 2025-2026 MLB Offseason Complete List Of 2025-2026 MLB Free Agent Pitchers DiamondCentric.net Here is a complete list of free agent pitchers in the 2025-2026 MLB offseason.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the San Diego Padres' 2025–2026 offseason, highlighting key dates and events across Major League Baseball’s winter calendar. It includes details on the Winter Meetings, MLB Draft Lottery, and the important deadlines when the Padress must decide on arbitration-eligible players and those with team or mutual contract options. In the sections that follow, you’ll find a list of pending free agents, players with contract options, and a detailed timeline of the offseason ahead. To view the current Padres 40-man roster, view our roster page, updated nightly. The San Diego Padres had a season that felt all too familiar. Despite a roster filled with star power and marquee names, the Padres once again settled into a familiar position, second place in the National League West behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. It marked the fourth time in the past six seasons that San Diego has finished as the runner-up to its longtime division rival. The Padres’ offense was solid but unspectacular, ranking around the middle of the pack across most major categories. Their real strength came from the mound, particularly a dominant bullpen that led all of baseball with a sparkling 3.06 ERA. At the plate, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado continued to anchor the lineup, while Nick Pivetta emerged as a steady presence in the starting rotation. True to form, the Padres were aggressive at the trade deadline, parting ways with top prospect Leo De Vries to acquire electric young closer Mason Miller in a blockbuster move. Yet, for all the regular-season success and bold front office maneuvering, the story ended in heartbreak once again, an early playoff exit at the hands of the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round. Click any link below to jump to an explanation of that event/date. 2026 Offseason Dates & Calendar Oct 24 - Nov 1: World Series Immediately After The World Series: Players Become Free Agents, Trade Market Opens 5 Days After Conclusion Of World Series: Contractual Options Due, Qualifying Offers Due, League-Wide Free Agency Opens Early November: General Manager Meetings Nov 13: The MLB Awards Nov TBA: Rule 5 Protection Deadline, Qualifying Offer Decisions due Nov TBA: Tender Deadline Dec TBA: Announcement of Competitive Balance Picks Dec 7-10: Winter Meetings (Orlando, FL) Dec 10: MLB Draft Lottery Dec 10: Rule 5 Draft January 2026: BBWAA HOF announcement Mid-January: Arbitration agreement deadline Jan 15: International Signing Period Opens January/February 2026: Padres FanFest Late January-Early February: Arbitration Hearings Mid-February: Report to Spring Training February TBA: First Spring Training Game March TBA: MLB Spring Breakout March 25: MLB Opening Night (Yankees @ Giants) March 26: Opening Day (Tigers @ Padres) World Series Game 1 of the 2025 MLB World Series is set for Friday, October 24, with a potential Game 7 scheduled for Saturday, November 1. The offseason officially begins the moment the final out of the World Series is recorded. Players on expiring contracts immediately become free agents, though certain restrictions apply in the first few days that will be detailed later. The day after the World Series ends, teams can resume making trades for the first time since the midseason deadline — marking the official start of the MLB offseason. 5 Days After The Conclusion Of World Series As the offseason begins, free agents are permitted to negotiate exclusively with their most recent team for a five-day period. After that window closes, they are free to engage with all 30 MLB clubs. For the San Diego Padres, several key contributors are set to reach free agency following the 2025 season. Luis Arraez, Dylan Cease, Nestor Cortes, Ryan O’Hearn, and José Iglesias are all on expiring contracts, giving the front office important decisions to make this winter. King and Cease, in particular, will draw considerable attention on the open market, while veterans like Arraez and Iglesias could provide valuable depth wherever they land. It remains to be seen which players the Padres will prioritize in their efforts to keep the roster competitive heading into 2026. Player/Team/Mutual Options During the initial offseason period, teams and players must decide whether to exercise or decline any contractual options for the upcoming year. For the San Diego Padres, several players hold options that will require attention in the coming weeks. On the player side, Robert Suarez has a two-year, $16 million opt-out clause, while Wandy Peralta holds a one-year, $4.45 million player option. Both pitchers have been important pieces in the Padres’ bullpen, and their decisions will have a significant impact on San Diego’s relief depth heading into 2026. Two players, Elias Díaz and Michael King, hold mutual options for the 2026 season. Agreeing on mutual options is relatively rare in Major League Baseball, as they require both the team and the player to agree to extend the contract for another year. Often, one side declines, leading to a buyout instead. In this case, Díaz’s mutual option is worth $7 million with a $2 million buyout, while King’s is valued at $15 million with a $3.75 million buyout. On the club option side, outfielder Ramón Laureano has a $6.5 million option, left-hander Kyle Hart holds a $5 million option with a $500,000 buyout, and utility man Tyler Wade has a $1 million club option with a $50,000 buyout. Qualifying Offers Like contract options, Qualifying Offers must be issued within five days of the World Series’ conclusion. The value of the Qualifying Offer changes annually, as it’s based on the average salary of MLB’s 125 highest-paid players from the previous season. For the upcoming offseason, that figure is projected to be $22 million. To be eligible, a player must have spent the entire previous season with one team and must never have previously received a Qualifying Offer. Clubs have until five days after the World Series ends to extend the offer, and players then have until mid-November to decide whether to accept or decline. If a player rejects the offer and signs elsewhere, their former team receives draft-pick compensation, with the specifics depending on the club’s market size, revenue-sharing status, and the value of the player’s new deal. The Padres gave the qualifying offer to starting pitchers Dylan Cease and Michael King this offseason; both declined their offer and are now free agents. The Padres will receive two compensation picks in the 2026 MLB Draft as a result. Free Agency Free agency officially begins the day after the World Series concludes. However, during the initial five-day period, players are only permitted to negotiate with their previous club. Once that window closes, full free agency opens, allowing all 30 teams to contact and negotiate with any available player. Depending on the length of the World Series, league-wide free agency is expected to begin between November 2 and November 6. As previously mentioned, the Padres have several players set to hit the open market, Luis Arraez, Dylan Cease, Nestor Cortes, Ryan O’Hearn, and José Iglesias. Each brings a different value profile to the table, from Cease’s frontline potential to Arraez’s contact-driven offense and Iglesias’s veteran versatility. San Diego’s front office will face key decisions in determining which players to pursue for potential returns and which to let walk as they look to reshape the roster for 2026. Free agency will continue throughout the offseason and into spring training. General Manager Meetings Roughly a week after the World Series concludes, all 30 general managers gather for meetings to discuss league business and key offseason matters. While these sessions don’t typically draw much attention from fans, they often help establish the groundwork for trades and other transactions that take place later in the winter. Rule 5 Protection/Draft The Rule 5 Draft takes place each winter (with the exception of 2020) and offers every organization a chance to uncover unprotected talent from other clubs. Under Rule 5 regulations, players who signed at age 18 or younger must be protected within five seasons, while those who signed at 19 or older must be protected within four. Teams safeguard eligible prospects by adding them to the 40-man roster — a task that can be tricky in years when roster space is tight. For the Padres, several prospects will need to be evaluated for protection ahead of the mid-November deadline to avoid exposure in this year’s Rule 5 Draft, which is scheduled for December 10. That group is expected to include Miguel Mendez, Jagger Haynes, and Garrett Hawkins, among others. Each represents a developmental investment the organization will weigh carefully before deciding who earns a coveted 40-man spot. Players who are not added to the 40-man roster by the deadline can be selected by another team for a $100,000 fee. Any player drafted must remain on the selecting club’s active Major League roster (or MLB injured list) for the entire season. If that player is later designated for assignment and clears waivers, he must be offered back to his original team for $50,000. While most Rule 5 selections don’t turn into stars, the process has produced its share of hidden gems over the years — including impact relievers and late bloomers who carved out valuable roles. For the Padres, this draft represents both a risk of losing unprotected talent and an opportunity to identify a surprise contributor from another system. The MLB Awards The MLB Awards return to Las Vegas on November 13, taking place at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Among the honors announced will be the Hank Aaron Awards, Comeback Players of the Year, Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman Relievers of the Year, the Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter of the Year, and the All-MLB First and Second Team selections. Around the same time, the BBWAA Awards, including Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young, and Most Valuable Player, will also be revealed. Non-Tender Deadline & Arbitration Players with between three and six years of MLB service time automatically qualify for salary arbitration. There’s also the Super Two designation, which allows a select group of players with just under three years of service to become eligible as well. Arbitration gives players still under team control a chance to argue for compensation they feel reflects their on-field performance. If a team believes a player’s projected arbitration salary exceeds their value, they can non-tender the player instead of offering a contract. Although arbitration eligibility depends on service time, any player with fewer than six years in the majors can technically be non-tendered. Doing so immediately makes them a free agent, while also freeing up a spot on the 40-man roster. Teams have until the non-tender deadline (typically in late November) to decide whether to offer contracts to arbitration-eligible players. Once tendered, the two sides can continue negotiating a salary until mid-January. If no agreement is reached, the case proceeds to an arbitration hearing, where both sides submit salary figures, and a neutral arbitrator selects one. Hearings usually take place between late January and mid-February, with pitchers often going first due to their earlier Spring Training report dates. The arbitrator’s ruling is final, and the player is paid that amount for the upcoming season. While the process ensures fairness, it can sometimes strain relationships between players and teams Arbitration Eligible Padres (Expected $ in parenthesis) Adrian Morejon: $3.6MM Jason Adam: $6.8MM Gavin Sheets: $4.3MM JP Sears: $3.5MM Luis Campusano: $1MM Mason Miller: $3.4MM Freddy Fermin: $1.8MM Competitive Balance Draft Picks Each offseason, Major League Baseball announces the Competitive Balance Draft picks, designed to help smaller-market and lower-revenue teams maintain parity across the league. These selections, first introduced in 2012, are awarded annually based on a formula that factors in a club’s market size, revenue, and winning percentage. Eligible teams are placed into one of two rounds: Round A, which occurs between the first and second rounds of the MLB Draft, and Round B, which takes place between the second and third rounds. In addition to the bonus draft pick, teams receiving a Competitive Balance selection also receive a slightly larger international signing pool. Unlike other draft picks, Competitive Balance selections can be traded once, though they cannot be exchanged purely for cash. The Padres last received a Competitive Balance pick in 2021, when they were awarded a Round B selection. Since then, San Diego’s sustained revenue levels and recent competitive success have kept them out of the pool of eligible teams. As a result, they are not expected to receive a Competitive Balance pick for the 2026 MLB Draft, with official announcements typically coming in early December. Winter Meetings Each December, high-ranking executives from all 30 organizations, along with agents, players, and media members, gather for the MLB Winter Meetings, a four-day event that serves as the centerpiece of the offseason. This year’s meetings will take place in Orlando, Florida, from December 7 to 10. The Winter Meetings are where the bulk of offseason business takes shape. Trades, free agent signings, and major rumors often dominate the headlines during this stretch. Juan Soto, who was the central story of the 2023 Winter Meetings when he was traded to the Yankees, once again stole the spotlight this year after signing a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. He was joined in the headlines by Max Fried, who signed with the New York Yankees, and Garrett Crochet, who was traded to the Boston Red Sox in one of the biggest deals of the week. If there is one point on the calendar when the most MLB transactions are likely to occur, this is it. In addition to roster moves, both the MLB Draft Lottery and the Rule 5 Draft take place during the Winter Meetings, adding even more intrigue to one of baseball’s busiest weeks of the year. MLB Draft Lottery In 2023, Major League Baseball implemented a draft lottery system aimed at discouraging teams from intentionally losing games to secure higher draft positions. Under this format, all clubs that miss the postseason are assigned odds to land one of the top six selections in the following year’s draft. While teams with the worst regular-season records still have the best chances, the lottery adds an element of randomness to what was once strictly determined by reverse standings. The Padres, having reached the postseason, are not part of the draft lottery. Instead, their draft position is determined by the order in which playoff teams are eliminated, as well as by revenue-sharing status and regular-season winning percentage. The 12 postseason clubs select in the following order: Wild Card Series losers, Division Series losers, Championship Series losers, World Series runner-up, and finally, the World Series champion. Since San Diego was eliminated in the Wild Card round, the Padres are projected to hold a mid-to-late first-round selection in the upcoming draft, a position reflective of both their postseason appearance and competitive regular season. BBWAA HOF Announcement Every January, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) announces its voting results for the newest class of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Players become eligible five years after retirement and can remain on the ballot for up to ten years, provided they continue to receive at least five percent of the vote each cycle. Earning election requires appearing on 75 percent of submitted ballots. If a player falls below the five-percent threshold, they are removed from future ballots and can only be reconsidered later by one of the Hall’s era-based committees. This year’s ballot lacks top-end HOF candidates but still showcases several notable names, including Cole Hamels and Ryan Braun, who are making their first appearance, and Manny Ramírez, who is entering his final year of eligibility. 2026 International Signing Period Opens The international signing period reopens on January 15, marking one of the most important opportunities for MLB organizations to acquire young talent from around the globe. While the majority of signings come from Latin America, teams also scout and sign players from Asia, Europe, and other regions. During this window, clubs can reach agreements with foreign players who are 16 years or older. Signing bonuses vary widely — for example, Ronald Acuña Jr. signed with the Braves for just $100,000 in 2014 and became one of the game’s brightest stars, while other highly touted prospects signed for millions but never reached expectations. The international market remains one of baseball’s most unpredictable talent pipelines. Each team operates under a hard spending cap, which varies depending on market size and other factors. This year, the Padres fall into the $5,940,000 bonus pool tier. Bonuses of $10,000 or less do not count against that total. Many agreements are reached informally well before the signing date, as teams invest years in scouting and relationship-building with these young players and their families. While some international signees advance quickly through the minors and reach the big leagues within five or six years, others take longer or never fully develop. The international signing period runs through December 15, after which clubs immediately turn their attention to scouting and preparing for the next class of international talent. Padres FanFest Although official dates have not yet been announced, the Padres FanFest is traditionally held near the end of January at Petco Park. The annual event gives fans the opportunity to meet their favorite players and coaches, collect autographs, and celebrate the start of a new baseball season. It’s a fun, family-friendly tradition that brings Padres fans together for a memorable day of baseball excitement before Spring Training gets underway. Spring Training 2026! Padres pitchers and catchers will report to the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona in mid-February, with position players set to arrive a few days later for the start of full-squad workouts. Spring Training games in the Cactus League will begin shortly after and run for about a month as the team prepares for the upcoming regular season. Dates for the Padres’ first Cactus League game and MLB’s Spring Breakout have not yet been announced, but both are expected to take place in the traditional February/March window. The Spring Breakout event will once again showcase each organization’s top prospects in a series of exhibition games against other clubs’ best young talent. The 2026 MLB regular season is scheduled to officially open on March 25, when the New York Yankees face the San Francisco Giants on Opening Night. Unlike recent years, there will be no international series to begin the season, with all Opening Day games taking place in North America. The Padres, along with the rest of Major League Baseball, will open their season the following day, marking the official return of baseball in full force. Thank you for reading, and I hope this guide helped make sense of the many dates and details that come with the MLB offseason. It can be a lot to keep track of! I’ll continue to provide updates as more specific information becomes available. Enjoy the offseason, and here’s to a great 2026 season ahead!

Padres pitching dominated Cubs hitters on Wednesday, forcing a winner-take-all game three in Chicago. The starters are right-handers Jameson Taillon for Chicago and Yu Darvish for San Diego. In 2025, Taillon posted a 3.68 ERA, and Darvish a 5.38 as an injury-plagued season limited him to only 15 starts. Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) tells a different story, though; Taillon has a 2025 FIP of 5.00, and Darvish has a 4.83 FIP. This game is unlikely to become a pitcher's duel. Cubs Bullpen Usage Game 1 (Tuesday), Chicago’s relief corps delivered 4 2/3 perfect innings behind starter Matthew Boyd. The sequence was Daniel Palencia for 1 2/3, then Drew Pomeranz, Andrew Kittredge, and Brad Keller covering the final three innings. In Game 2 (Wednesday), the Cubs used an opener approach. Andrew Kittredge handled the 1st, followed by Shota Imanaga for bulk innings. After that, lefty Caleb Thielbar, righty Colin Rea, and lefty Taylor Rogers finished it off; their batters faced were Kittredge 5, Imanaga 17, Thielbar 4, Rea 6, Rogers 3. Kittredge is the only Cubs pitcher to appear in both games so far, and he is likely out for Thursday's game as a result. Padres Bullpen Usage Game 1, San Diego followed starter Nick Pivetta with Adrian Morejon, Mason Miller, and Jeremiah Estrada. In Game 2, Dylan Cease started and worked 3 2/3. Adrian Morejon covered 2 1/3 innings and threw 33 pitches, Mason Miller struck out the first five batters he faced and threw 27 pitches, and Robert Suarez recorded a four-out save to close a 3-0 win. It's likely that both Morejon and Miller will be unavailable for Thursday's game. Padres Batters Vs Jameson Taillon Jameson Taillon vs. San Diego Padres: Current Batters Table Rk Player B PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS SH SF IBB HBP GIDP 1 Xander Bogaerts R 28 28 6 3 0 0 2 0 5 .214 .214 .321 .536 0 0 0 0 1 2 Ryan O'Hearn L 17 16 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .188 .235 .188 .423 0 0 0 0 1 3 Martín Maldonado R 16 14 4 1 0 1 1 1 2 .286 .375 .571 .946 0 0 1 1 1 4 Luis Arráez L 13 13 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231 .231 .231 .462 0 0 0 0 0 5 Jose Iglesias R 13 13 7 2 0 1 3 0 1 .538 .538 .923 1.462 0 0 0 0 0 6 Gavin Sheets L 11 10 3 1 0 0 0 1 3 .300 .364 .400 .764 0 0 0 0 0 7 Fernando Tatis Jr. R 6 6 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 .333 .333 .833 1.167 0 0 0 0 0 8 Manny Machado R 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 .200 .000 .200 0 0 0 0 0 9 Jake Cronenworth L 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 10 Freddy Fermin R 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500 .500 .500 1.000 0 0 0 0 0 Provided by Stathead.com: Found with Stathead. See Full Results. Generated 10/2/2025. Cubs Batters Vs Yu Darvish Yu Darvish vs. Chicago Cubs: Current Batters Table Rk Player B PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS SH SF IBB HBP GIDP 1 Justin Turner R 27 24 5 1 0 1 1 3 10 .208 .296 .375 .671 0 0 0 0 0 2 Dansby Swanson R 22 19 3 1 0 0 1 3 6 .158 .273 .211 .483 0 0 1 0 0 3 Ian Happ B 14 13 2 0 0 0 2 1 6 .154 .214 .154 .368 0 0 0 0 0 4 Nico Hoerner R 11 10 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 .200 .273 .400 .673 0 0 0 0 0 5 Carson Kelly R 10 10 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .300 .300 .300 .600 0 0 0 0 0 6 Kyle Tucker L 6 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167 .167 .167 .333 0 0 0 0 0 7 Seiya Suzuki R 5 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 2 .250 .400 .500 .900 0 0 0 0 0 8 Michael Busch L 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 9 Pete Crow-Armstrong L 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 Provided by Stathead.com: Found with Stathead. See Full Results. Generated 10/2/2025.

Chicago will treat today as a tandem day on the mound: Andrew Kittredge will open, then Shota Imanaga will follow with a bulk outing. Kittredge worked a clean eighth yesterday. This season, he has held right-handed hitters to a .690 OPS and left-handed hitters to a .541 OPS while his season FIP sits at 3.40. Over his last six starts, Imanaga has a 5.97 ERA with 12 home runs allowed in 34 2/3 innings, and he has allowed 31 homers in 144 2/3 frames this year. Imanaga Against Padres Hitters Shota Imanaga vs. San Diego Padres: Current Batters Table Rk Player B PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS SH SF IBB HBP GIDP 1 Luis Arráez L 10 9 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .111 .200 .111 .311 0 0 0 0 0 2 Xander Bogaerts R 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 3 Manny Machado R 9 9 1 0 0 1 1 0 6 .111 .111 .444 .556 0 0 0 0 0 4 Fernando Tatis Jr. R 9 8 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .375 .444 .375 .819 0 0 0 0 0 5 Jake Cronenworth L 6 6 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 .333 .333 .500 .833 0 0 0 0 0 6 Martín Maldonado R 6 5 1 0 0 1 1 1 2 .200 .333 .800 1.133 0 0 0 0 1 7 Jose Iglesias R 4 4 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 .750 .750 1.000 1.750 0 0 0 0 0 8 Jackson Merrill L 3 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 .333 .333 .667 1.000 0 0 0 0 0 9 Freddy Fermin R 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .500 .000 .500 0 0 0 1 0 10 Gavin Sheets L 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 Provided by Stathead.com: Found with Stathead. See Full Results. Generated 10/1/2025. Dylan Cease draws a conventional start for San Diego. His overall season included ups and downs, but his September trend was upward: in five starts last month, he recorded a 3.12 ERA with a 2.56 FIP. Cease Against Cubs Hitters Dylan Cease vs. Chicago Cubs: Current Batters Table Rk Player B PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS SH SF IBB HBP GIDP 1 Ian Happ B 24 21 1 0 0 0 0 3 10 .048 .167 .048 .214 0 0 0 0 1 2 Willi Castro B 23 23 5 0 0 1 2 0 8 .217 .217 .348 .565 0 0 0 0 0 3 Kyle Tucker L 14 12 4 1 0 0 1 2 3 .333 .429 .417 .845 0 0 1 0 0 4 Nico Hoerner R 13 9 2 1 0 0 0 3 2 .222 .462 .333 .795 0 0 1 1 0 5 Michael Busch L 9 8 2 0 0 2 4 1 4 .250 .333 1.000 1.333 0 0 0 0 0 6 Justin Turner R 8 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .125 .125 .125 .250 0 0 0 0 0 7 Pete Crow-Armstrong L 5 4 2 1 0 0 1 1 1 .500 .600 .750 1.350 0 0 0 0 0 8 Dansby Swanson R 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 9 Reese McGuire L 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 10 Seiya Suzuki R 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 11 Matt Shaw R 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .500 .500 .500 1.000 0 0 0 0 0 Provided by Stathead.com: Found with Stathead. See Full Results. Generated 10/1/2025. Bullpen usage from yesterday shapes how both sides can deploy relief behind today’s starters. For Chicago, Matthew Boyd covered 4 1/3 innings before the bullpen recorded a postseason-record stretch by retiring 14 consecutive batters without a baserunner. Daniel Palencia handled 1 2/3 innings, followed by one inning each from Drew Pomeranz, Kittredge, and Brad Keller. San Diego used four relievers behind Nick Pivetta’s five innings. Mason Miller pitched the 7th inning. Adrian Morejon covered one inning. Jeremiah Estrada worked 2/3 of an inning, and Wandy Peralta recorded the final 1/3 of the 8th. That usage left the Padres’ late-inning group relatively distributed entering today, with Cease on a standard starter’s workload. Matchup-wise, Kittredge’s opening inning will likely see him face Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arraez, and Manny Machado. The Cubs used him yesterday in that same section of the order. Once Imanaga enters, Chicago can stagger right-on-left plate appearances for San Diego’s middle, then turn back to late-inning options after 2 or 3 trips through the order. On the other side, Cease’s September FIP hopefully represents what the Padres will receive in a must-win game. With both teams’ bullpens active yesterday but receiving an off-day on Monday, almost everyone should be available out of the bullpen based on game situation. Padres Bullpen Usage FRI SAT SUN MON TUE TOT Estrada 0 19 0 0 10 29 Morgan 18 0 21 0 0 39 Miller 25 17 0 0 13 55 Hart 16 0 0 0 0 16 Suárez 0 9 0 0 0 9 Morejón 0 8 0 0 9 17 Peralta 21 0 0 0 6 27 Rodríguez 21 0 21 0 0 42 Matsui 0 37 0 0 0 37 Vasquez 0 0 19 0 0 19

The Cubs host the Padres at Wrigley Field for game one of the best-of-three National League Wild Card Series; San Diego has tabbed Nick Pivetta as their game one starter, and the series will be played entirely at Wrigley Field. Cubs hitters vs Nick Pivetta Pivetta, a right-hander, showed reverse splits in 2025: he allowed a .239 wOBA to left-handed batters and a .272 wOBA to right-handed batters. Chicago’s September production offers a few specific matchups to watch. Michael Busch (LHB) posted a .244/.337/.634 (.971 OPS) in September (95 PA). Ian Happ (switch-hitter) produced a .287/.382/.511 (.893 OPS) in September (110 PA). Seiya Suzuki (RHB) logged a .232/.333/.478 (.811 OPS) in September (81 PA). Nick Pivetta vs. Chicago Cubs: Current Batters Table Rk Player B PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS SH SF IBB HBP GIDP 1 Dansby Swanson R 35 34 10 1 0 2 5 1 11 .294 .314 .500 .814 0 0 0 0 0 2 Kyle Tucker L 12 10 2 1 0 0 2 1 2 .200 .250 .300 .550 0 1 0 0 0 3 Ian Happ B 11 10 3 1 0 0 0 1 6 .300 .364 .400 .764 0 0 0 0 0 4 Justin Turner R 9 8 5 2 0 2 3 1 0 .625 .667 1.625 2.292 0 0 0 0 0 5 Reese McGuire L 7 6 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .333 .429 .333 .762 0 0 0 0 0 6 Carson Kelly R 6 6 3 0 1 0 1 0 3 .500 .500 .833 1.333 0 0 0 0 0 7 Michael Busch L 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 .200 .000 .200 0 0 0 0 0 8 Seiya Suzuki R 5 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .200 .200 .200 .400 0 0 0 0 1 9 Willi Castro B 4 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500 .500 .500 1.000 0 0 0 0 0 10 Nico Hoerner R 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 11 Pete Crow-Armstrong L 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .333 .500 .333 .833 0 0 0 0 0 12 Matt Shaw R 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500 .500 .500 1.000 0 0 0 0 0 Provided by Stathead.com: Found with Stathead. See Full Results. Generated 9/29/2025. Padres hitters vs Matthew Boyd Left-hander Matthew Boyd draws the Game 1 start for Chicago, nudging past Shota Imanaga to open the Cubs’ postseason. In 2025, Boyd held left-handed batters to a .258 wOBA and right-handed batters to a .297 wOBA. Manny Machado finished September with a .207/.250/.425 (.675 OPS), while Fernando Tatis Jr. finished the regular season with a .293/.352/.549 (.900 OPS) slash in September. Matthew Boyd vs. San Diego Padres: Current Batters Table Rk Player B PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS SH SF IBB HBP GIDP 1 Xander Bogaerts R 18 16 3 0 0 1 3 2 3 .188 .278 .375 .653 0 0 0 0 1 2 Manny Machado R 14 13 5 2 0 0 3 0 3 .385 .357 .538 .896 0 1 0 0 0 3 Luis Arráez L 9 7 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 .429 .556 .571 1.127 0 0 0 1 0 4 Freddy Fermin R 7 7 2 1 0 0 2 0 3 .286 .286 .429 .714 0 0 0 0 0 5 Elias Díaz R 6 5 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .400 .500 .400 .900 0 0 0 0 0 6 Fernando Tatis Jr. R 6 6 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 .167 .167 .167 .333 0 0 0 0 0 7 Jackson Merrill L 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 8 Jose Iglesias R 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333 .333 .333 .667 0 0 0 0 0 9 Jake Cronenworth L 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 Provided by Stathead.com: Found with Stathead. See Full Results. Generated 9/29/2025. Defensive context Outs on contact could swing this game. Chicago’s center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks among MLB’s 2025 leaders with +21 Outs Above Average, providing elite gap coverage behind any starter the Cubs deploy. At shortstop, Dansby Swanson is again a positive in Statcast’s range metrics (+1 OAA at SS in 2025), a drop from previous seasons but still capable. For San Diego, Fernando Tatis Jr. brings plus defense in right field (+7 OAA), a notable factor against Wrigley’s alley-driven extra-base profile. Notes On Key Matchups Cubs LHB (Busch, etc.) vs Pivetta (R): Pivetta’s 2025 wOBA allowed to LHB was .239; Busch carried a .971 OPS in September. Cubs RHB (Suzuki, etc.) vs Pivetta: Pivetta allowed a .272 wOBA to RHB; Suzuki posted an .811 OPS in September. Padres RHB (Tatis, Machado) vs Boyd (L): Boyd allowed a .297 wOBA to RHB; Machado logged a .675 OPS in September; Tatis finished with a .353 season wOBA

Luis Campusano homered and doubled, while Clay Dungan tripled and Nate Mondou contributed as El Paso topped Albuquerque. Victor Lizarraga delivered five one-run innings, handing off to Omar Cruz, Bradgley Rodriguez, and Sean Reynolds for the save. San Antonio rode Luis Gutierrez’s five scoreless with help from Johan Moreno, José Geraldo, and Harry Gustin. Albert Fabian’s two-run double and Braedon Karpathios’ two-RBI single provided cushion, with Damon Dues reaching three times and Wyatt Hoffman scoring. Padres Transactions No Roster Moves. Campusano Sparks Early, Dungan Triples, Lizarraga Leads Chihuahuas Past Isotopes Box Score Luis Campusano set the tone at Southwest University Park. After Albuquerque scratched across a first-inning run, Campusano answered in the bottom half with a solo shot to left to even the game, then El Paso seized control in the third. Tim Locastro lined a single, Yonathan Perlaza followed with an RBI double to right to put the Chihuahuas ahead, Clay Dungan ripped a run-scoring triple to right, and Campusano capped the surge with an RBI double to left for a 4-1 lead. That cushion held behind a steady night from Victor Lizarraga. The right-hander worked five innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits with three walks and five strikeouts. He kept the Isotopes to a lone run before handing it off to the bullpen. Omar Cruz yielded a solo homer in the sixth but otherwise covered two innings with three strikeouts and no walks. Bradgley Rodriguez bridged the eighth with a scoreless frame, walking one and striking out one, then Sean Reynolds closed the door in the ninth for his fifth save. Campusano finished 2-for-4 with a homer, a double, and two RBIs, pacing an offense that also featured multi-hit nights from Dungan and Nate Mondou. Perlaza doubled and drove in a run, while Locastro scored after a leadoff knock. El Paso’s infield turned two double plays, a 4-6-3 started by Mondou in the fifth and a 6-4-3 initiated by Dungan in the sixth, stalling Isotopes threats and sealing a 4-2 win for the Chihuahuas. Fabian’s Two-Run Double, Gutierrez Fires Five Scoreless As Missions Beat Springfield Box Score San Antonio got things rolling immediately in Springfield. After a single by Devin Ortiz and a soft single from Eguy Rosario, Romeo Sanabria drew a walk, and Braedon Karpathios punched a two-run single to center for a 2-0 first-inning lead. On the mound, Luis Gutierrez was sharp, working five scoreless innings with two hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. The infield backed him with a crisp double play turned by Rosario, Ryan Jackson, and Sanabria. The Missions added on in the seventh. Damon Dues worked a walk, Wyatt Hoffman singled, and Albert Fabian lashed a two-run double to right to make it 4-0. They tacked on one more in the eighth when Jackson drew a bases-loaded walk that brought in Sanabria, then stole second. Dues also made a play in right field, cutting down a runner trying to stretch to second. Hoffman had a 2-for-4 night and a run, while Fabian finished 1-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Karpathios added two RBI on his first-inning knock, and Dues reached three times on walks and scored. After Gutierrez departed, Johan Moreno allowed one run over 1 2/3 innings with one strikeout and no walks. José Geraldo followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings, walking three and striking out one, and Harry Gustin closed the Cardinals out with one scoreless inning and one strikeout.

Jared Kollar delivered five innings for San Antonio, with Cole Paplham and Ryan Och stacking scoreless frames before Kevin Kopps nailed the save. Eguy Rosario homered and Wyatt Hoffman doubled twice to pace the Missions. In El Paso, Yonathan Perlaza reached five times with two RBIs, while Marcos Castañon, Nate Mondou, Clay Dungan, Luis Campusano, and Tirso Ornelas fueled a seven-run sixth and push. Raul Brito struck out four in relief as Albuquerque held on. Padres Transactions No Roster Moves. El Paso Loses Football Game In 21-10 Defeat Box Score Albuquerque jumped to a fast start at Southwest University Park, putting up seven in the first and building a big lead early. El Paso starter Wes Benjamin worked one inning, allowing seven runs, six earned, on eight hits, with no walks and no strikeouts. Jake Higginbotham covered two innings with four runs allowed, one walk, and one strikeout, and Raul Brito added two innings with two runs, no walks, and four strikeouts. The Chihuahuas fought back with a seven-run sixth. Luis Campusano walked, Nate Mondou doubled, and Marcos Castañon lined an RBI single. Ripken Reyes brought in another on a forceout, Francisco Acuna tripled to center, and Clay Dungan followed with an RBI double. After a Yonathan Perlaza walk, Tirso Ornelas and Campusano punched RBI singles, and Mondou capped the frame with a run-scoring knock as El Paso sliced the deficit. In the seventh, Castañon doubled and scored on Perlaza’s sacrifice fly. El Paso added two more in the ninth when Perlaza and Ornelas delivered RBI singles, but the Isotopes answered with insurance in the eighth and ninth to seal it. Castañon finished 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Perlaza went 2-for-2 with three walks and two RBI. Dungan, Campusano, and Ornelas each tallied two hits; Acuna tripled and drove in one; Mondou collected a double, three hits overall, and an RBI. Rosario Homers, Hoffman Doubles Twice As Missions Hold Off Springfield Box Score San Antonio set the tone immediately in Springfield. Albert Fabian and Devin Ortiz opened the first with singles, Eguy Rosario forced a runner to third, and Romeo Sanabria lifted a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead. In the second, Ryan Jackson walked and stole second, moved to third on a groundout, then Wyatt Hoffman ripped a two-out double to left. Fabian followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0. Jared Kollar gave the Missions exactly what they needed. The righty worked five innings, allowing one run on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Cole Paplham handled two innings with one hit, one walk, and one strikeout, then Ryan Och added an inning and a strikeout. Rosario padded the lead in the seventh, turning on a pitch and sending it to right-center for a solo homer. Braedon Karpathios opened the eighth with a triple to center, and Damon Dues lined a single to left to push the advantage. Hoffman finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI, Rosario went 2-for-4 with a walk and the home run, and Fabian tallied two hits and an RBI. Jackson scored, walked, and swiped a base, while Sanabria doubled and drove in a run. The Cardinals cut into the lead in the ninth, plating two, but Kevin Kopps entered and recorded the final out for the save.

The High-A and Single-A regular seasons have ended, and with neither the TinCaps nor the Storm making the postseason in their respective leagues, they have concluded their 2025 seasons. Jackson Wolf struck out eight over four innings, and Sean Reynolds followed with 1 1/3 scoreless as Tirso Ornelas, Trenton Brooks, and Marcos Castañon powered El Paso’s 15-7 romp. For San Antonio, Romeo Sanabria went 3-for-5 with a homer while Albert Fabian homered, and bullpen arms Josh Mallitz, Garrett Hawkins, and Harry Gustin stacked three scoreless frames. Rodolfo Durán scored thrice, and Yonathan Perlaza tallied two late hits to cap the night. Padres Transactions Activated RHP Michael King from the 15-day injured list. Optioned RHP Alek Jacob to El Paso (AAA). Ornelas, Brooks, Castañon Power El Paso Past Albuquerque, 15-7 Box Score El Paso’s offense erupted early, then kept piling on to top Albuquerque at Southwest University Park. After the visitors grabbed a second-inning lead, the Chihuahuas answered with three in the home half. Francisco Acuna tied it with a two-run double, and Ripken Reyes lifted a sacrifice fly for a 3-2 edge. In the third, Tirso Ornelas belted a solo homer to center, then Trenton Brooks followed later in the frame with a two-run shot to right-center after a fielding error kept the inning alive. The fifth inning broke it open. Yonathan Perlaza singled, stole second, and scored on Rodolfo Durán’s fielder’s choice. Following a walk, Marcos Castañon crushed a three-run homer for a 10-3 lead. The Chihuahuas tacked on more in the sixth when Tim Locastro singled and stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error, and scored on Perlaza’s RBI single, with another run crossing on a pickoff error. Brooks added a sacrifice fly, and Ornelas lined an RBI single in the seventh. A fielding miscue by the Isotopes in the eighth pushed across the final run. Ornelas went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, Brooks finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, and Castañon homered with three RBIs. Durán went 2-for-4 with three runs and an RBI, Campusano was 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs, and Perlaza went 2-for-5 with two runs, an RBI, and a steal. Starter Jackson Wolf worked four innings, allowing two runs with five walks and eight strikeouts. Sean Reynolds followed with 1 1/3 scoreless frames to earn the win. Sanabria’s Three-Hit Night, Fabian Blast Highlight Missions In Springfield Box Score The Missions chipped away but came up short in a 7-5 loss at Springfield. Albert Fabian put San Antonio on the board in the third, launching a solo shot to right. Two innings later, the offense rallied. After a leadoff walk, Romeo Sanabria unloaded a two-run homer to right, and Christopher Sargent followed with a double before Damon Dues lined an RBI single to bring the Missions within 7-4. San Antonio kept the pressure on in the seventh. Sanabria singled, advanced on a balk, then Ryan Jackson ripped a run-scoring double to center to make it 7-5. The Missions’ offense stalled out, making that the final score. Devin Ortiz added a pair of hits, giving San Antonio nine on the night. On the mound, starter Jagger Haynes worked three innings, allowing three runs with four walks and one strikeout, and he picked off a runner in the first. After a rough fourth, the bullpen steadied things. Josh Mallitz turned in 1 2/3 scoreless frames with one strikeout, Garrett Hawkins followed with two scoreless innings with three strikeouts, and Harry Gustin closed with a scoreless eighth. San Antonio’s defense also turned a third-inning double play, Jackson to Anthony Vilar to Sanabria, to stall a Cardinals threat. Sanabria finished 3-for-5 with a homer, a double, two runs, and two RBIs.

Marcos Castañon drove in four runs, and Yonathan Perlaza homered before Tirso Ornelas’ two-run single keyed El Paso’s five-run ninth. In San Antonio, Braedon Karpathios homered, Albert Fabian tied it, and Ryan Jackson walked it off. Will Varmette spun four one-run innings, José Geraldo delivered two scoreless, and Tucker Musgrove opened with a frame, while Matt Waldron struck out eight for El Paso. Kai Roberts swiped his 30th steal as Carlos Rodriguez doubled for Lake Elsinore. Padres Transactions No Roster Moves. Perlaza Homers, Castañon’s Late Double Fuels Five-Run Ninth For El Paso Box Score El Paso erupted for five runs in the ninth to top Salt Lake, 10-6. Marcos Castañon delivered the knockout, ripping a two-run double to center, and Ripken Reyes followed with an RBI single to finish the rally. The surge started with two outs when Yonathan Perlaza and Rodolfo Durán singled, Nate Mondou walked to load up the bases, and Tirso Ornelas shot a go-ahead two-run single to right. Perlaza jump-started the day earlier with a two-run homer in the third after Tim Locastro walked and stole second. Castañon had opened the scoring with a two-run single in the second, staking the Chihuahuas to an early lead against the Bees. Cody Roberts added an RBI single in the sixth. Castañon went 2-for-4 with a double and four RBIs, Perlaza finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs, and Ornelas drove in two. Mondou reached four times with a hit and three walks, and scored twice. Locastro scored a run and swiped a bag. Starter Matt Waldron gave El Paso a solid start, striking out eight over 5 1/3 innings. He allowed four runs on nine hits, with no walks. After Bradgley Rodriguez bridged the seventh, the Bees grabbed a late lead with a two-run homer in the eighth, but Manuel Castro steadied things to earn the win, working two innings with two runs allowed, one walk, and three strikeouts. El Paso finished with nine hits. Karpathios, Fabian Homer As Jackson’s 11th-Inning Single Walks Off Hooks Box Score San Antonio outlasted Corpus Christi, 7-6 in 11 innings at Wolff, completing a rally that started in the middle frames and ended with a bloop single. After the visitors plated five in the fifth, Braedon Karpathios answered with a solo homer to right-center in the bottom half. The Missions kept pushing in the sixth, when Damon Dues tripled, Devin Ortiz doubled him home, Christopher Sargent brought in another on a forceout, and Karpathios lined an RBI single to right. Trailing 5-4 into the ninth, Albert Fabian drilled a two-out homer to right to tie it. The Hooks regained the lead in the 10th when the zombie runner advanced on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly. San Antonio countered in the bottom half as the Missions’ zombie runner, Wyatt Hoffman, moved to third on a grounder and scored on Kai Murphy’s groundout to even it again. In the 11th, Ortiz began at second, advanced to third on a passed ball, then Ryan Jackson lofted a pop single to second to win it. Karpathios went 2-for-4 with a homer, a single, and two RBI. Fabian finished 2-for-4 with a homer and an RBI, Jackson went 2-for-5 with the walk-off RBI, Ortiz doubled, scored twice, and drove in one, and Dues added a triple and a walk. Starter Eric Yost worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs, four earned, with five walks and two strikeouts. Manuel Urias covered 3 2/3 frames with four runs, one walk, and two strikeouts. José Geraldo earned the win with two innings, one unearned run, no walks, and two strikeouts. Roberts Swipes 30th, Varmette Works Four As Fort Wayne Shut Out Box Score Fort Wayne fell 5-0 on the road against West Michigan, with Will Varmette giving the TinCaps a competitive start. The righty worked four innings, allowing one run on three hits, with two walks and four strikeouts. The Whitecaps manufactured a first-inning run on a walk, a steal, and an infield single, then added insurance later. That was all they needed. The TinCaps’ best chance came in the fifth. Kai Roberts lined a single to left, stole second for his 30th bag of the season, then moved to third on a flyout. After a pitching change, a walk extended the inning, but a strikeout ended the threat. In the seventh, Zach Evans ripped a single to right and promptly swiped second, his first at High-A, but Fort Wayne could not bring him around. Roberts, Evans, and Luke Cantwell accounted for the TinCaps’ three hits. Storm Build Early Cushion, Battle Back On Miscues, Fall Late At Inland Empire Box Score Lake Elsinore jumped in front immediately at San Manuel Stadium. Cardell Thibodeaux worked a walk, Carlos Rodriguez doubled, and Truitt Madonna and Ty Harvey followed with RBI singles for a 2-0 lead. In the fourth, Yoiber Ocopio reached on an error and scored on Thibodeaux’s RBI groundout to make it 3-1. Inland Empire surged ahead in the fifth as a sacrifice bunt and two errors plated two, wild pitches moved runners, and a single pushed the Storm behind 6-3. Lake Elsinore answered with three in the sixth: Justin DeCriscio doubled and scored, pinch-hitter Ryan Wideman came home on Rodriguez’s single, and Dylan Grego’s grounder brought in the tying run. The 66ers reclaimed the lead in the eighth on a hit-by-pitch, a bunt, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly. Rodriguez went 2-for-5 with a double and an outfield assist, and Harvey added a hit, a walk, an RBI, and a run. Wideman drew a walk, stole second, and scored, while DeCriscio doubled and scored. Lake Elsinore also turned a double play in the fourth to halt a threat. Opener Tucker Musgrove worked one scoreless inning, allowing one hit with no walks and one strikeout. Abraham Parra followed with five, giving up seven runs, six earned, on eight hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. Will Koger covered two innings with one run, no walks, and two strikeouts.

Marcos Castañon doubled and homered in El Paso’s late charge, while Jake Higginbotham fanned four in two scoreless and Omar Cruz struck out seven over four. San Antonio’s Fernando Sanchez punched out six in relief, with Josh Mallitz adding 1⅔ scoreless. Fort Wayne got two hits from Jack Costello, but Luis Gutierrez whiffed seven across five and Eiker Huizi struck out three. For Lake Elsinore, Alex McCoy reached twice and Ryan Wideman drove in two. Padres Transactions Recalled RHP Randy Vásquez from Triple-A El Paso. Optioned RHP Sean Reynolds to Triple-A El Paso. Castañon Homers In Ninth, El Paso’s Bullpen Gives Back Lead Box Score Marcos Castañon jump-started a ninth-inning push, but the Chihuahuas fell 6-5 in Salt Lake. The third baseman doubled in two during the fourth to give El Paso a brief lead, then opened the ninth with a solo shot to left center. Yonathan Perlaza followed with a pinch-hit single, Tim Locastro added a knock, and Clay Dungan walked to load the bases. Tirso Ornelas brought in a run with a groundout, and Luis Campusano’s sacrifice fly scored Locastro to tie it 5-5. Earlier, El Paso struck in the fourth when Campusano singled, Nate Mondou singled, and Castañon ripped a two-run double to center. Locastro swiped second in the fifth for his 28th steal. Campusano finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, Mondou collected two hits, and Castañon went 2-for-3 with a double, a homer, and three RBIs. Stephen Jones started for El Paso and worked two innings, allowing one run on two hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Omar Cruz followed with four innings, yielding four runs, three earned, on four hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts. Jake Higginbotham tossed two scoreless frames with four strikeouts to keep the game within reach. The Bees answered in the ninth against Raul Brito. Salt Lake opened with a double, advanced the runner on a sacrifice, and a pinch-hit single ended it. Despite 12 hits and the ninth-inning comeback, El Paso came up just short. Sanchez Fans Six, Gómez Doubles As Missions Fall To Hooks Box Score SAN ANTONIO — The Missions were held to three hits in a 4-0 loss to Corpus Christi. Miguel Mendez started for San Antonio and worked four innings, allowing three runs on three hits, three walks, and five strikeouts. Corpus Christi opened the scoring with a three-run second, using a two-run triple to right, then a run that crossed on a wild pitch. The Hooks added one more in the fifth on a pair of extra-base hits. San Antonio’s best chance came in the second when Gómez ripped a double to right, moved to third on a passed ball, and was left there on a groundout. In the third, Kai Murphy punched a single to center, and in the seventh, Francisco Acuna beat out a comebacker for an infield hit. The Missions mounted a late push in the eighth as Ryan Jackson and Albert Fabian drew walks to put two aboard, but a groundout ended the inning. Fernando Sanchez steadied things out of the bullpen, striking out six in 2 1/3 innings while allowing one run on two hits and no walks. Josh Mallitz followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, then Garrett Hawkins finished the ninth with one strikeout. Offensively, Gómez’s double, Murphy’s single, and Acuna’s infield knock accounted for San Antonio’s hits against the Hooks. Barnett Drives In Early Run, Costello Tallies Two Hits As TinCaps Fall In West Michigan Box Score Fort Wayne grabbed the lead in the second. Jack Costello lined a single to center, Kai Roberts walked, and Jonathan Vastine drew a free pass to load the bases. Sean Barnett followed with an infield single to short, scoring Costello for a 1-0 edge. The Whitecaps answered with two in their half of the inning, then added three more in the sixth on a homer to right, pushing the deficit to 5-1. West Michigan tacked on another in the eighth. Costello led the TinCaps’ offense, going 2-for-4. Barnett finished 1-for-3 with the club’s lone RBI, and Roberts reached twice on a single and a walk, though he was caught stealing in the fourth. Fort Wayne totaled five hits and went 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position. Starter Luis Gutierrez worked five, allowing four runs on seven hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. Eiker Huizi followed with two innings, yielding one run on two hits, no walks, and three strikeouts. Luis Germán pitched the eighth and was charged with one run. McCoy Reaches Twice, Wideman Plates Two, Madonna Triples As Storm Fall To Inland Empire Box Score Lake Elsinore jumped ahead immediately in San Bernardino. After Alex McCoy singled and Carlos Rodriguez walked, a pickoff miscue moved the runners, and Ryan Wideman lined a single to right to bring in McCoy. The 66ers answered with two in the bottom half, then surged with a five-run third to take control. The Storm got one back in the third when McCoy singled, advanced on an error, and scored on Wideman’s sacrifice fly to right. Lake Elsinore kept pushing in the sixth. Bradley Frye and Ty Harvey rolled consecutive singles, Justin DeCriscio forced in a run on a fielder’s choice, and George Bilecki coaxed a bases-loaded walk to make it a three-run game. In the seventh, Truitt Madonna ripped a triple and scored on a passed ball, but Inland Empire tacked on insurance to close it out, 10-5. McCoy finished 2-for-2 with two runs. Harvey went 2-for-4. Wideman drove in two, Bilecki chipped in an RBI and a walk, Madonna went 1-for-4 with a triple and a run, and Frye added a hit and a run. Starter Kruz Schoolcraft worked 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on one hit, three walks, and four strikeouts. Adam Conrad followed with two, giving up one run on two hits with one walk. Clay Edmondson also handled two, allowing two runs with one walk and two strikeouts.