Steve Drumwright

San Diego Padres Weekly Snapshot Record last week: 1-6 Runs scored last week: 27 Runs allowed last week: 56 (season run differential: minus-42) Scores Game 83 (Monday): Cubs 3, Padres 2 Game 84 (Tuesday): Cubs 9, Padres 7 Game 85 (Wednesday): Cubs 23, Padres 3 Game 86 (Thursday): Dodgers 12, Padres 7 Game 87 (Friday): Dodgers 4, Padres 3 Game 88 (Saturday): Dodgers 3, Padres 0 Game 89 (Sunday): Padres 5, Dodgers 2 Week in Review and Highlights Cubs series Game 1: In the only three games the Padres will play outside of SoCal in the three weeks before the All-Star break, a taught affair escaped the Friars' clutches. This game came down to two wind-blown flyballs to left field, with the second one coming in the ninth inning and providing a walk-off 3-2 victory for the Chicago Cubs. The ninth inning certainly deserves scrutiny as that is where the game was ultimately decided, but the Cubs' first run came after left fielder Samad Taylor, whose only previous appearance in left field at Wrigley Field came in one game in 2023, misplayed a Seiya Suzuki fly that went for a double. Suzuki would score three batters later to trim the Padres' lead to 2-1. More importantly, the ninth came down to Jason Adam being extended to a second inning and not being able to get an out. Adam needed 13 pitches for a perfect eighth inning, but then gave up a single on a 3-2 changeup to Dansby Swanson and a single to Pete Crow-Armstrong on a 2-2 changeup. That prompted manager Craig Stammen to bring in superstar right-handed closer Mason Miller. While it wasn't technically a save situation, it certainly felt like it considering the circumstances. Miller gave up a single on a 1-0 slider to Alex Bregman, loading the bases. Michael Busch then hit a shallow fly near the left-field line that Jase Bowen, who came in to play left after Taylor was pinch-hit for in the top of the ninth, caught and fired a one-hopper to catcher Freddy Fermin to easily nail Swanson at the plate for a double play. That brought up Suzuki, who launched an 88 mph slider on a 1-0 count deep to left field. Bowen was back at the wall, but his leap was just off, leaving him with just a handful of ivy as Crow-Armstrong crossed home with the winning run. Otherwise, the Padres had to be encouraged by some things from this game. That included the start by embattled right-hander Griffin Canning. After having an opener in his previous two outings, Canning started and went 4⅓ innings after getting just two outs last time. He looked better, giving up a pair of runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts. He was pulled in the fifth after giving up a leadoff double to Swanson and a one-out walk to Bregman. Left-hander Kyle Hart came in and walked the switch-hitting Busch to load the bases and then a sacrifice fly to Suzuki that tied the game 2-2. The Padres had built a 2-0 lead with runs in the third and fourth innings, with a Fernando Tatis Jr. fielder's choice driving in Xander Bogaerts for a 1-0 lead and Miguel Andujar and Bogaerts doubling for a 2-0 advantage. Game 2: Imagine a game where Tatis goes deep twice and the Friars four times overall and you still didn't feel like you really had a chance to win the game. That is basically what happened as the Padres dropped a 9-7 decision to the Cubs. Chicago had a 5-1 lead after two innings and the Padres made a late push with a four-run eighth inning to pull within the final margin. But it was another familiar story: A poor start by the pitching staff. This time, it was left-hander JP Sears. After a terrific first MLB start this season last week, Sears didn't have the same stuff and was tagged for seven runs (six earned) in 4⅔ innings, including five runs (four earned) in the first two innings. Sears was hammered for three homers, two coming in a four-run second. Swanson hit a pair of homers after coming into the series with a .190/.287/.362 slash line, but is 5-for-8 in the first two games vs. the Padres. Tatis' two blasts gave him 157 for his career, moving him past Phil Nevin and into fourth in Padres history. He led off the game with a monster blast to left, his fourth of the season. His fifth was a solo blast into the basket in right field. That came a batter after Gavin Sheets hit a three-run blast. Machado also went deep for his team-leading 16th, a two-run shot in the top of the third that pulled the Padres within 5-3. The Cubs created space with a three-run fifth off Sears and right-hander Ron Marinaccio, who gave up Swanson's second blast of the game. Game 3: What do you say after a 23-3 loss? Not much. So here it is. Swanson hit three homers, including a grand slam, and drove in eight. The Padres gave up a club-record eight homers. Sung-Mun Song hit his first career homer for the Friars. Right-handed starter Walker Buehler gave up nine runs in a game for the first time in his career. The 20-run loss was a club record. The 23 runs tied a club record. Career minor-league catcher Rodolfo Duran pitched two more innings, his second appearance in five days, to save the pitching staff, but giving up eight runs. The Padres have lost five straight as they head to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers. Dodgers series Game 1: For a brief time, it looked like the Padres were well on their way to snapping their five-game losing streak. They hit three home runs in the first two innings to jump out to a quick 6-0 lead against the Dodgers. Then, the rotation issues struck again. An avalanche of Dodgers runs followed and the Friars were on the wrong end of a 12-7 decision, extending their skid to six games, matching their season worst. The streak made the Padres a .500 team at 43-43 for the first time since they were 6-6 on April 8. Right-handed starter Randy Vasquez, who had a scary incident after leaving the game, lasted just three innings and gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk. No telling whether Vasquez was feeling off while in the game, which could have led to his fainting spell. Still, it was a dispiriting loss for the Padres after smacking around Dodgers right-handed starter Roki Sasaki in the first two innings. Machado hit a two-run homer, his 17th this season, in the first inning, then Jackson Merrill hit a solo shot, his ninth, and Cronenworth unloaded a three-run blast, his second this year and first since coming off the concussion list to begin the week, to put the Friars comfortably on top 6-0. Only these are the Dodgers and they are clicking at the moment. Two runs in each of the bottom of the second and third innings and a four-run fourth put L.A. up 8-6, but it continued with two more in the fifth and another in the sixth for a 12-6 advantage. In another scary situation, Fermin took another foul tip off his facemask and could be heading back to the concussion list for the second time this season. He went out for a mound visit a couple pitches after taking a Freddie Freeman foul, with teammates signaling for help as the meeting was breaking up. The good news is Luis Campusano (broken right big toe) was on a rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso, so he could easily step in. Game 2: While the day started off with good news that Vasquez was OK following his fainting spell, it most certainly did not end well. Michael King, the de facto No. 1 in this rotation, bounced back from a miserable last start, but a rare blip by a top bullpen arm relegated the Padres to a 4-3 loss, their season-worst seventh straight, dropping the team below .500 at 43-44. The Padres also lost Vasquez (bruised ankle) and Fermin (head contusion) to the 10-day injured list. The Friars built a 3-0 lead against ace right-hander Shohei Ohtani, including Merrill's 10th homer of the season. King, after throwing just 68 pitches, was sent out to begin the seventh inning, where he walked cleanup hitter Mookie Betts and gave up a single to Max Muncy. Left-hander Adrian Morejon was asked to extricate the Padres from this situation against a surging Dodgers offense. Kyle Tucker's potential double-play ball was mishandled by Cronenworth at second, loading the bases. The very next pitch, a center-cut slider, was sent 419 feet into the Dodger Stadium bleachers for a grand slam. While Cronenworth and Merrill each had two hits in the game, and Merrill scoring twice, the Padres couldn't get a baserunner on in the final two innings, putting a nail in a frustrating loss in a frustrating stretch. Game 3: One of the nice things about the Friars' offense being in a better place than it was a month ago is that they have been able to not be stifled by another team's star pitcher. Well, Yoshinobu Yamamoto proved to be an exception to that pattern as the Dodgers' right-hander struck out 10 and allowed three hits over seven innings in a 3-0 shutout of the Padres on the Fourth of July, San Diego's eighth loss in a row, the worst streak of the year and longest since 2013 (10 games). Two of the Padres' four hits in the game came in the first inning on singles by Tatis leading off and Sheets with two outs. Bogaerts singled leading off the second, which was the last hit the Padres would get until Tatis' two-out double in the eighth. Canning, back with an opener in left-hander Wandy Peralta, pitched four effective innings, giving up one run on two hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Left-hander Kyle Hart allowed a run in two innings with three punchouts and right-handed closer Mason Miller, having not pitched since Monday and who was named an All-Star before the game, worked the eighth, but gave up a run and didn't have a strikeout. Game 4: Give the Padres credit. Despite being in a funk for the last week-plus, they put themselves in position to win three of the four games against the Dodgers. And after dropping the first three games of this series, it would have been easy for the Friars to be in their feelings and check out of the finale against their NL West rival. Instead, the Padres stood strong and this time held a lead unlike the first two games of the series, coming away with a 5-2 victory that snapped MLB's longest active losing streak at eight games. Maybe it was the fight that the coaching staff showed on the game's third pitch when a check-swing appeal went against Tatis. That prompted persistent chirping from infield coach Ryan Goins, who was ejected by the home plate umpire. Stammen came out to get an explanation and then offered his 2 cents, which earned him the rest of the day off. Did that inspire left-handed starter Sears, who had a 7.99 ERA at Triple-A and was rocked for seven runs just five days earlier, yet held the two-time defending World Series champions to zero hits until there were two outs in the fifth inning? Did that fuel Machado, who delivered the crushing offensive blow with a three-run homer on an 0-2 fastball in the top of the seventh? Regardless of where it came from, the Padres showed a lot of fortitude in ending a seven-game road trip in which the future of their season came into question with, while not spectacular, a rock-solid victory. The only glitch on the day was a two-run bottom of the seventh in which Morejon worked in and out of trouble after inheriting a runner at first base. Miller struck out one of the three batters he faced in a perfect ninth for his 22nd save in as many chances. But in order for this win to mean anything, other than preventing the Dodgers from becoming the first MLB team this season to reach 60 wins, the Padres will need to show the same mettle when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks for the next four games at Petco Park. The Padres and D'backs are tied at 44-45, four games out of an NL wild-card spot. Marvelous Mason Miller Some of the amazing stats for the Padres' closer: Season stats: 2-1, 0.98 ERA, 35 games, 22 saves (22 chances), 36⅔ IP, 17 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 13 BB, 67 K, .137 opponent average Named to his second All-Star Game, also going in 2024 with the Oakland A's. The Padres have had their closer in the last four All-Star Games. With 22 saves, is tied for the NL lead with Riley O'Brien of the St. Louis Cardinals. Of the 110 outs he has recorded, 67 have come via strikeout (60.9%). Did not have a strikeout Saturday, his first outing since May 19 without one and his first in a full inning without a punchout since back-to-back outings April 23 and April 25. Has gone 58 innings without allowing an extra-base hit, the longest in the Expansion Era (1961), surpassing the 56 innings by Luis Aquino of the Kansas City Royals (1988-89). Random Friars Stats Manny Machado's homer run Sunday gave him the most homers in Padres history against the Dodgers with 26, breaking a tie with Dave Winfield. Fernando Tatis Jr.'s on-base streak ended at 23 games in the series finale vs. the Cubs as he went 0-for-4. That streak matched his career best and was tied for the longest in MLB. Tatis now has 17 career leadoff homers. Tatis' leadoff double Thursday had an exit velocity of 115.7 mph, his hardest ball in play since Sept. 11, 2024, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Per Opta Stats, the Padres became only the second team in MLB history to lose six consecutive games while giving up 75 hits, 60 runs, 15 homers and 30 walks, joining the 1929 Philadelphia Phillies. Wandy Peralta, who started as an opener Saturday, has seven shutout innings in his six starts and has allowed a .167/.200/.208 slash line. Transactions Monday: Activated 2B Jake Cronenworth from the 7-day concussion list. Monday: Recalled RHP Bradgley Rodriguez from Double-A San Antonio. Monday: Placed RHP David Morgan on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Sunday with left knee inflammation. Monday: Optioned IF Will Wagner to Triple-A El Paso. Thursday: Placed RHP Jason Adam on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Tuesday with a right shoulder strain. Thursday: Activated RHP German Marquez from the 15-day injured list. Friday: Placed RHP Randy Vásquez on the 15-day injured list with a right ankle contusion. Friday: Placed C Freddy Fermin on the 10-day injured list with a head contusion. Friday: Activated C Luis Campusano from the 10-day injured list. Friday: Recalled RHP Alek Jacob from Triple-A El Paso. Website Highlights After brutal loss and sweep, Padres feel like a team on the brink of collapse — Randy Holt Song remains a perplexing evaluation for Padres — Yirsandy Rodriguez Adam's injury will hurt more than his WAR suggests — Randy Holt After one start, Sears has reintroduced himself as a viable rotation candidate — Randy Holt Padres hitters of the month for June: Tatis rediscovers stardom — Gottie Chavez Padres pitchers of the month for June — Brendan Dentino Padres minor-league hitters of the month for June — Steve Drumwright Padres minor-league pitchers of the month for June — Steve Drumwright Padres Mission podcast — Randy Holt and Steve Drumwright Looking Ahead Monday: Diamondbacks at Padres (Walker Buehler), 6:40 p.m. Tuesday: Diamondbacks at Padres (German Marquez), 6:40 p.m. Wednesday: Diamondbacks at Padres (Michael King), 7:10 p.m. Thursday: Diamondbacks at Padres (Griffin Canning), 6:40 p.m. Friday: Blue Jays at Padres (JP Sears), 6:40 p.m. Saturday: Blue Jays at Padres (Walker Buehler), 5:40 p.m. Sunday: Blue Jays at Padres (German Marquez), 1:10 p.m. View full article

Sunday's series finales saw the San Diego Padres' four full-season affiliates win just once. That came courtesy of the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, who dispatched Sacramento 11-1, while the Double-A San Antonio Missions lost to Amarillo 1-0, the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps were stifled by Great Lakes 5-0 and the Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm couldn't keep up with Stockton 10-8. Padres Minor-League Transactions None. Big Homers Back Solid Start As Chihuahuas Roll To Victory Marcos Castanon hit a three-run homer and Nick Schnell added a two-run shot to back the seven-strikeout performance of right-handed starter Sean Boyle, matching his season best, as the host Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas cruised to an 11-2 triumph over the Sacramento River Cats. The Chihuahuas (40-47, 5-7 second half) won their third straight game and took four out of six in the series. Castanon had three hits and scored twice, Schnell had a pair of his and scored twice, Nick Solak had two hits (double), an RBI and two runs scored and Luis Rengifo capped his first week back in Triple-A with two hits for the Chihuahuas. Mason McCoy drew three of the Chihuahuas' nine walks, while Will Wagner and Bryce Johnson each had a pair of free passes. Boyle surrendered two runs on seven hits and no walks over five innings, his third straight start of matching his season best. The 29-year-old's seven wins are the most in the Padres' system this year. Right-hander Daison Acosta made his first non-rehab appearance after being on the 60-day injured list with an undisclosed injury. He was signed to a major-league contract by the Padres in the offseason and then waived off the 40-man roster in spring training. He went two hitless innings in his Chihuahuas debut, walking two and striking out none. Right-hander Andrew Moore pitched the final two scoreless innings, striking out a pair. Castanon hit his team-leading 13th homer in the third inning for a 3-1 lead, then the Chihuahuas broke it open with a five-run sixth inning that included Romeo Sanabria's RBI double and Schnell's 12th homer of the year. EP_0705.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Luis Rengifo 5 0 2 0 0 2 Mason McCoy 2 1 0 0 3 0 Nick Solak 5 2 2 1 0 0 Marcos Castañon 5 2 3 3 0 0 Will Wagner 2 1 1 0 2 0 Bryce Johnson 3 1 0 1 2 1 Blake Hunt 4 1 2 0 1 2 Romeo Sanabria 5 1 1 2 0 1 Nick Schnell 3 2 2 2 1 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Sean Boyle 5 7 2 2 0 7 1 Daison Acosta 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 Andrew Moore 2 1 0 0 1 2 0 Missions On Short End Of Pitchers' Duel With Sod Poodles Left-handed starter Jagger Haynes allowed one run over five innings, but that was all Amarillo would need as the host Double-A San Antonio Missions dropped a 1-0 decision to the Sod Poodles. The Missions (37-44, 6-6 second half) had their three-game winning streak snapped, but they did win four of the six games in the series. Haynes and right-handed relievers Johan Moreno and Josh Mallitz combined on a three-hitter, but the Sod Poodles' pitching kept the Missions off the board despite having eight hits. Two of the three hits came off of Haynes and both came in the first inning to produce the game's only run. Haynes also had an error on a pickoff play at second that preceded the RBI double. Haynes walked three and struck out four, while Moreno gave up a seventh-inning single in his two innings as he walked one and struck out a pair. Mallitz pitched the final two innings, walking one and punching out three. Player AB R H RBI BB K Ethan Salas 4 0 1 0 0 1 Carson Tucker 4 0 1 0 0 2 Tirso Ornelas 4 0 2 0 0 1 Kai Roberts 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jake Cunningham 4 0 1 0 0 2 Braedon Karpathios 4 0 0 0 0 2 Ryan Jackson 3 0 1 0 0 0 Albert Fabian 3 0 1 0 0 2 Francisco Acuna 3 0 1 0 0 1 Brendan Durfee 3 0 0 0 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jagger Haynes 5 2 1 1 3 4 0 Johan Moreno 2 1 0 0 1 2 0 Josh Mallitz 2 0 0 0 1 3 0 Jamie Hitt Has Another Quality Start, Ryan Wideman Steals 50th Left-handed starter Jamie Hitt turned in six quality innings, but a lack of offense cost the host High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps in a 5-0 loss to the Great Lakes Loons. The TinCaps (34-47, 7-7 second half) dropped the finale after back-to-back wins, their only ones in this six-game series. In his fourth quality start of the season and second in a row, Hitt allowed two runs on three hits with no walks and six strikeouts. The only runs came on a sixth-inning homer with two outs. The Loons got two more in the seventh and another in the eighth. TinCaps leadoff man Ryan Wideman, Padres Mission's No. 4 prospect, singled to begin the fourth inning and, following a walk and a strikeout, stole third as part of a double steal with Justin DeCriscio for his seventh steal with Fort Wayne, boosting his minors-leading total to 50. Player AB R H RBI BB K Ryan Wideman 4 0 1 0 0 0 Justin DeCriscio 3 0 1 0 1 0 Kerrington Cross 4 0 0 0 0 3 Kavares Tears 4 0 1 0 0 2 Luke Cantwell 3 0 0 0 1 2 Rosman Verdugo 2 0 0 0 1 2 Carlos Rodriguez 3 0 1 0 0 0 Oswaldo Linares 3 0 0 0 0 1 Kasen Wells 3 0 0 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jamie Hitt 6 3 2 2 0 6 1 Maikel Miralles 1 1/3 2 3 3 4 2 0 Braian Salazar 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Late Rally Comes Up Short As Storm Fall To Ports If this had been a soccer match, the host Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm would have lost the first half 9-0, but won the second half 8-1. It all added up to a 10-8 victory for the Stockton Ports, who scored those nine runs in the first five innings. The Storm (43-38, 4-11 second half) won just twice in the six-game series. Jorge Quintana and Dylan Grego homered, while Quintana, Alcides Hernandez and Dawson Willis each drove in a pair of runs for the Storm. Quintana, Willis (triple) and Qrey Lott each had two hits, with Lott scoring three times and Quintana twice. Storm starter Luis Maracara, an 18-year-old right-hander, gave up seven runs, including a homer, on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in three innings. Five Storm relievers combined to limit the Ports to three hits and three runs from there, with right-hander Rordy Mejia fanning four in two perfect innings. Quintana, Padres Mission's No. 6 prospect, hit a two-run blast in the seventh inning, his third this year, while Grego hit his second Storm homer and third of the season, a solo shot, in the eighth inning to make it 10-6. The Storm made it close in the bottom of the ninth as Lott reached on a throwing error by the shortstop that plated a run and Hernandez had a one-out sacrifice fly for the other to bring the tying run to the plate in Willis, who popped out to end the game. LE_0705.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Yimy Tovar 5 0 0 0 0 0 Jorge Quintana 4 2 2 2 1 1 Yoiber Ocopio 2 0 0 0 0 1 Alcides Hernandez 2 1 1 2 0 0 Dawson Willis 5 0 2 2 0 1 George Bilecki 3 0 0 0 1 2 Dylan Grego 4 1 1 1 0 1 Truitt Madonna 4 0 0 0 0 4 Conner Westenburg 3 1 1 0 0 0 Qrey Lott 4 3 2 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Luis Maracara 3 7 7 7 2 3 1 Jordan Valenzuela 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 Daichi Moriki 1 1 2 2 3 1 0 Rordy Mejia 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 Yoesmerli Beltre 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 Sean Barnett 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 Padres Mission's Top 20 Prospect Performance Ethan Salas: 1-for-4, 1 K Kash Mayfield: DNP Miguel Mendez: DNP Ryan Wideman: 1-for-4, 1 SB Kruz Schoolcraft: DNP Jorge Quintana: 2-for-4, HR, 1 K Ty Harvey: On injured list Kale Fountain: Injured, out for season Braedon Karpathios: 0-for-4, 2 K Jagger Haynes: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 0 HR Lamar King Jr.: DNP Tucker Musgrove: DNP Truitt Madonna: 0-for-4, 4 K Alex McCoy: DNP Jesus Castro: DNP Rosman Verdugo: 0-for-2, 2 K Garrett Hawkins: DNP Eric Yost: DNP Michael Salina: DNP Winyer Chourio: DNP View full article

It was a good month for a few San Diego Padres minor-league pitchers. The fact that four of the five names listed below come from either the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas or the Double-A San Antonio Missions is also encouraging, as some of the places those teams play can be very challenging for pitchers. Ranking Padres' Best Minor-League Pitchers In June Honorable mention: Josh Mallitz, RHP, Double-A San Antonio Missions June stats: 1-0, 1.35 ERA, 8 games (all relief), 2 saves (2 chances), 13⅓ IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 21 K, .111 opponent average The right-handed reliever's season started late due to injury, then he gave up 11 runs in his two April appearances. But since then, Mallitz has been impeccable, giving up just four runs in 24⅓ innings. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi in 2024 and continues to be a big contributor in his first full season at Double-A after getting into four games for the Missions last year. He struck out 21 in 13⅓ innings in June after having 10 in his previous 14 innings. Honorable mention: Omar Cruz, LHP, Double-A San Antonio Missions June stats: 1-1, 2.31 ERA, 6 games (1 start), 1 save (1 chance), 11⅔ IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 22 K, .171 opponent average With a start and a save during the month, you can tell how valuable the left-hander has been for the Missions this season. And that is part of Cruz's story this year: He started the season at Triple-A El Paso, but struggled in the Pacific Coast League environments to an 18.00 ERA in four innings over six games. That had the Padres move him down to Double-A San Antonio. Since that move in late April, all Cruz has done is put up a 3.45 ERA in 15 games and 28⅔ innings, with 45 strikeouts and 10 walks. He made his MLB debut with the Padres last year, appearing in two games, so getting back on track at San Antonio is nice to see. No. 3: Winyer Chourio, RHP, High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps June stats: 2-0, 2.86 ERA, 4 games (all starts), 22 IP, 18 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 9 BB, 22 K, .228 opponent average The 22-year-old, who just moved into Padres Mission's Top 20 prospects list at No. 20, has had a breakthrough year in his first time in full-season ball. Some subtle changes have increased the 2024 international signee's velocity and improved the quality of his pitches. His performance in 12 games at Low-A Lake Elsinore (3.31 ERA, 74 strikeouts, 54⅓ innings) earned him a promotion to High-A Fort Wayne. He made his High-A debut last week with a familiar line from his Storm days: five innings, one run, five hits, three walks, four strikeouts. That came after his final two starts at Lake Elsinore went six innings, and included his second nine-strikeout performance of the season. In addition, he had a 10-strikeout game in May. Chourio does need to reduce his walks, as six of his 13 games this season have seen the right-hander issue three or more free passes. His walk rate this season is 11.9%, which is somewhat offset by his 33.1% strikeout rate, which is significantly up from 20.8% last year. His walk rate a year ago was at 10.2%. Chourio has also already matched his innings total from last year (56⅔), which will make his second half fascinating to watch. No. 2: Andrew Moore, RHP, Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas June stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 8 games (all relief), 1 save (1 chance), 10⅓ IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 12 BB, 23 K, .063 opponent average Probably the most consistent reliever in the entire Padres system, the right-hander went the entire month without allowing a run, extending his scoreless streak to 11 appearances and 14 innings. That included a promotion from Double-A San Antonio to Triple-A El Paso for his final two outings covering 3⅔ in which he struck out eight. He also continued to excel at striking out opponents. In six of the seven games where he went at least one inning, he struck out two or more, leading to a 44.5% strikeout rate this season. However, he did walk 12 in June, the most of any month, and has a 24.4% walk rate. Five of those walks came in his first two Triple-A appearances. Moore also keeps contact at a minimum. He gave up just two hits last month, one in his first game and one in his last, for a .063 opponent average, dropping his season number to .112. Of the 10 hits he has allowed this year, only one has been for extra bases. In his 22 games this year between the two levels, he has a 1.61 ERA in 28 innings. No. 1: Jhony Brito, RHP, Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas June stats: 2-1, 1.14, 5 games (all starts), 23⅔ IP, 15 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 9 BB, 21 K, .181 opponent average While no longer a prospect at age 28, Brito is coming off missing more than a year following internal brace and right flexor tendon surgery and still has his rookie status intact for when he returns to the MLB level. Brito came off the 60-day injured list after his first start of the month at Double-A San Antonio, then went to Triple-A El Paso for his first non-rehab games of the season. Even in the difficult PCL environment, Brito has excelled. In those four starts alone, Brito allowed two earned runs in 18⅔ innings (he did give up three unearned runs in his last game). He has also punched out 19 and walked nine. Brito's walk rate has been up at Triple-A at 11.8%, but is at a more reasonable 8.7% for the season. Aside from the rehabbing German Marquez and Matt Waldron, Brito would seemingly be next in line as a starting option at the major-league level. View full article

It was a Fourth of July sweep for the top four San Diego Padres affiliates as the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas turned back Sacramento 8-6, the Double-A San Antonio Missions cruised past Amarillo 8-1, the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps survived a 14-inning affair against Great Lakes 13-12 and the Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm rolled past Stockton 11-1. Padres Minor-League Transactions RHP Eric Yost assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas from San Antonio Missions. El Paso Chihuahuas activated RHP Daison Acosta from the 60-day injured list. RHP Landry Jurecka assigned to San Antonio Missions from ACL Padres. Chihuahuas Capitalize On River Cats' Miscues For Victory Luis Rengifo drove in a pair runs and scored twice without having a hit as offense only had three hits and took advantage of four errors, while the bullpen turned in a strong effort as the host Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas stopped the Sacramento River Cats 8-6. The Chihuahuas also walked seven times. The Chihuahuas jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first two innings on a Carlos Rodriguez RBI single and Nick Solak run-scoring double-play grounder in the first and Anthony Vilar's sacrifice fly and Rengifo's RBI groundout in the second. The River Cats came back with a five-spot in the top of the fourth, but the Chihuahuas took control back with a five-run bottom of the fourth. After three walks opened the inning, Rengifo reached via error for the second time in the game to plate two runs to retake the lead, while an errant pickoff throw brought in another and an error on a stolen base attempt brought in the final Chihuahuas run. Right-hander Eric Yost made his Triple-A debut for the Chihuahuas with 3⅓ innings. After three scoreless, the River Cats got five off Yost in the fourth, finishing by allowing seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts. From there, the bullpen was on its game. Right-hander Misael Tamarez went 2⅔ scoreless, right-hander Ty Adcock allowed a run in the seventh, right-hander Michael Flynn had a scoreless eighth and right-hander Justin Yeager finished with a scoreless ninth. EP_0704.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Luis Rengifo 4 2 0 2 0 0 Mason McCoy 3 1 1 0 1 0 Carlos Rodríguez 3 0 1 1 1 0 Nick Solak 4 0 0 0 0 0 Marcos Castañon 4 0 0 0 0 0 Bryce Johnson 4 1 1 0 0 1 Nick Pratto 2 2 0 0 2 2 Nate Mondou 2 1 0 0 2 1 Anthony Vilar 1 1 0 1 1 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Eric Yost 3 1/3 7 5 5 3 3 0 Misael Tamarez 2 2/3 2 0 0 0 1 0 Ty Adcock 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 Michael Flynn 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 Justin Yeager 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 Stellar Pitching, Kai Roberts' 3-Run Blast Carry Missions To Win Kai Roberts hit a three-run homer as part of a six-run second inning, Braedon Karpatios also homered and five pitchers combined on a four-hitter as the host Double-A San Antonio Missions strolled to an 8-1 triumph over the Amarillo Sod Poodles. Right-hander Francis Pena started a bullpen game for the Missions, his first start in his five-year career, giving up just one hit and facing the minimum in three scoreless innings with no walks and three strikeouts. Right-hander Landry Jurecka, an 18th-round draft choice making his Double-A debut after coming up from the Arizona Complex League before the game, also went three innings, allowing a run on two hits with a walk and three punchouts. He had never pitched above Low-A Lake Elsinore before Saturday. From there, it was one inning each for right-hander Tucker Musgrove, Padres Mission's No. 12 prospect who walked two and struck out two, right-hander Clay Edmondson and right-hander Garrett Hawkins, Padres Mission's No. 17 prospect who fanned two in a perfect ninth. Karpathios, Padres Mission's No. 9 prospect, had two hits, an RBI and two runs scored, while Albert Fabian also went 2-for-4, including a triple, with two RBIs and a run scored. After Karpathios singled with one out in the second inning and an error, Fabian's first triple of the season brought in both runners. Two hit by pitches loaded the bases, the Ethan Salas, Padres Mission's No. 1 prospect, had a sacrifice fly before Roberts mashed his second homer of the season, a three-run opposite-field shot off the left-field foul pole, for a 6-0 lead. The Missions hit for a team cycle in the second. Karpathios led off the third with his seventh homer of the season and Wyatt Hoffman drove in the eighth run with a single to center. SA_0704.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Ethan Salas 4 0 1 1 0 0 Kai Roberts 5 1 1 3 0 1 Tirso Ornelas 4 0 1 0 0 2 Jake Cunningham 4 0 0 0 0 1 Braedon Karpathios 4 2 2 1 0 0 Ryan Jackson 4 1 0 0 0 2 Albert Fabian 4 1 2 2 0 1 Francisco Acuna 2 2 1 0 1 0 Wyatt Hoffman 2 1 1 1 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Francis Peña 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 Landry Jurecka 3 2 1 1 1 3 0 Tucker Musgrove 1 1 0 0 2 2 0 Clay Edmondson 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Garrett Hawkins 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 TinCaps Provide Plenty Of Fireworks In 14-Inning Walk-Off With their largest crowd of the season awaiting a Fourth of July fireworks show, the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps provided plenty of on-field sparklers before Kasen Wells' RBI single with one out in the 14th inning provided the walk-off in a 13-12 win over the Great Lakes Loons. Each team scored in each of the five extra innings: one in the 10th, two in the 11th, one in the 12th and two in the 13th before the TinCaps got a pair in the 14th to the Loons' one. Ryan Wideman, Padres Mission's No. 4 prospect, went 3-for-6 and scored twice, Kavares Tears homered, drove in four and scored three, Luke Cantwell homered and drove in three, Kerrington Cross had a pinch-hit two-run homer and Jack Costello also homered for the TinCaps. Cross' pinch-hit two-run homer came leading off the bottom of the 13th to tie it 11-11 for his second homer since being promoted to Fort Wayne and 13th overall. Tears drove in four runs for the second time in three games by hitting his third home run in that span, a two-run shot in the eighth that tied the game 5-5, drawing a bases-loaded walk in the 12th to again tie the game 9-9 and singling home the first run of the 14th to tie it 12-12. The 14th featured a wild pitch, a hit by pitch, Tears' RBI single, another hit by pitch to load the bases and Wells' line single to right to bring home Alex McCoy, Padres Mission's No. 14 prospect. FW1_0704.mp4 FW2_0704.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Ryan Wideman 6 2 3 0 1 0 Justin DeCriscio 6 1 2 0 0 1 Jack Costello 6 2 1 1 1 0 Alex McCoy 6 1 2 0 0 2 Kavares Tears 5 3 2 4 2 2 Lamar King Jr. 6 0 0 0 0 2 Luke Cantwell 5 1 2 3 0 0 Kasen Wells 2 2 1 1 0 1 Zach Evans 4 0 0 0 1 1 Kerrington Cross 1 1 1 2 0 0 Oswaldo Linares 3 0 0 0 0 0 Rosman Verdugo 2 0 1 1 1 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Bryan Balzer 3 2/3 4 3 1 1 6 0 Javier Chacon 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 Ryan Och 2 1/3 4 2 2 0 2 0 Igor Gil 2 3 1 1 2 5 0 Nick Falter 3 4 5 2 3 1 1 C.J. Widger 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 Tyler Schmitt Shines, Storm Offense Erupts For 2 5-Run Innings Right-handed starter Tyler Schmitt allowed just two hits over five innings, while Conner Westenburg doubled twice and drove in five runs as the Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm exploded like a firecracker for an 11-1 win over the Stockton Ports. The Storm had back-to-back five-run innings in the fourth and fifth. Schmitt allowed just a run while walking three and striking out six. Right-hander Jeferson Villabona, in his fourth Storm appearance following a demotion from Fort Wayne, went a season-high three innings, not allowing a run or a hit while punching out three to drop his ERA to 0.96 with the Storm. Dawson Willis (two steals) and George Bilecki each had two hits, an RBI and two runs scored, while Yoiber Ocopio had a pair of hits and scored once. Jose Verdugo scored three times on a walk and a single. Bilecki, who also doubled twice, walked once as he reached base three times. LE_0704.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Yimy Tovar 5 1 1 0 0 1 Yoiber Ocopio 4 1 2 0 1 2 Dawson Willis 5 2 2 1 0 1 Bradley Frye 4 1 1 0 1 0 George Bilecki 3 2 2 1 1 0 Jose Verdugo 2 3 1 0 1 0 Truitt Madonna 2 1 0 0 1 2 Conner Westenburg 3 0 2 5 0 0 Qrey Lott 2 0 0 0 1 2 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Tyler Schmitt 5 2 1 1 3 6 0 Jeferson Villabona 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 Brandon Langley 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 Padres Mission's Top 20 Prospect Performance Ethan Salas: 1-for-4 Kash Mayfield: DNP Miguel Mendez: DNP Ryan Wideman: 3-for-6 Kruz Schoolcraft: DNP Jorge Quintana: DNP Ty Harvey: On injured list Kale Fountain: Injured, out for season Braedon Karpathios: 2-for-4, HR Jagger Haynes: DNP Lamar King Jr.: 0-for-6, 2 K Tucker Musgrove: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K Truitt Madonna: 0-for-2, 2 K Alex McCoy: 2-for-6, 2 K Jesus Castro: DNP Rosman Verdugo: 1-for-2, 1 K Garrett Hawkins: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K Eric Yost: 3⅓ IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K Michael Salina: DNP Winyer Chourio: DNP View full article

The Reaper is heading to the All-Star Game. Right-handed closer Mason Miller was the only San Diego Padres player selected Saturday to the NL roster for the All-Star Game on July 14 at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. Miller, in his first full season with the Padres after being acquired at last year’s trade deadline, is an All-Star for the second time in his four-year career, having also been picked in 2024. Miller is tied for the NL lead in saves with 21 without blowing a save. Jhoan Duran of the Philadelphia Phillies and Riley O’Brien of the St. Louis Cardinals also had 21 entering Saturday. Miller has struck out an amazing 50% of the hitters he has faced. Miller has not allowed an extra-base hit all season and has five of his 14 career four-out saves this year. He has a 0.78 ERA and a .136 opponent batting average in 34⅔ innings. The nine starters for each team were determined by two rounds of fan balloting, with Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement getting automatically selected to start by virtue of leading the first round in the NL and AL, respectively. The 23 reserves, which includes 12 pitchers as that position is not up for voting, are selected by player voting and the Commissioner's Office, which ensures that each team has a representative in the game. View full rumor

Although June wasn't the most promising month for the big-league club, the San Diego Padres did get some positive developments down on the farm. Assuming A.J. Preller continues his aggressive approach at the trade deadline to upgrade a deeply flawed roster, it's possible that some of these players could be playing elsewhere come August. For now, let's rank the prospects who had the best months at the plate in the Friars' organization. Ranking Padres' Best Minor-League Pitchers In June Honorable mention: Bradley Frye, 3B, Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm June stats: .305/.438/.441, 19 games, 16 R, 6 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 12 BB, 12 K, 4 SB, 1 CS An undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech, the third baseman who turns 24 next week has been one of the unsung players on a Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm team that won the California League's South Division first-half championship. Frye came on strong following the midseason promotions last week, going 9-for-16 in the final four games of June with three of his six RBIs for the month. That brought his season slash line up to .282/.371/.380 with two homers and 33 RBIs. He also has 17 steals. Honorable mention: Dawson Willis, 3B-1B, Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm June stats: .280/.341/.537, 22 games, 16 R, 6 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 7 BB, 34 K, 5 SB, 0 CS The 22-year-old undrafted free agent who played collegiately at Oklahoma and LSU split June, his first full month in pro ball, between the Arizona Complex League and the Cal League with Lake Elsinore. He did not disappoint offensively. The 6-foot-4 corner infielder had a .300/.373/.617 slash line with four homers and 13 RBIs in 16 ACL games, beginning in mid-May, before joining the Storm and put together a .295/.347/.500 slash line, hitting two homers and driving in 11 with three steals at each stop. One issue is he has a combined 38 strikeouts in 28 games, though the rest of his production is hard to poke holes in. No. 3: Carlos Rodriguez, OF, Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas June stats: .323/.385/.398, 23 games, 10 R, 4 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 10 BB, 6 K, 5 SB, 2 CS The 25-year-old outfielder hasn't stopped hitting just because his career-best hit streak came to an end. The left-handed hitter, who signed with the Padres on a minor-league deal in the offseason, had a 22-game run that ended in mid-June. He has hits in seven of the nine games since. He is more contact-oriented as only five of his 30 hits went for extra bases, with four doubles and a homer. But that also meant he struck out just six times in 93 June at-bats. He finished June by reaching base in 34 of his previous 35 games and led the team with 16 RBIs in the month. Rodriguez had a slow start in the first two weeks of the season, with his average at .212 on April 10. But then he had three hits in two of the next three games to set him on his way to a .303/.372/.390 slash line as he enters July. Thus far, this is Rodriguez's best season since signing out of Venezuela in 2018 aside from short-season ball in 2018 and 2019. It is perhaps telling that in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Rodriguez hasn't tried to hit more homers. He hit a career-high eight last year in the Atlanta organization, but has two just past the halfway point this year. No. 2: Kerrington Cross, 1B, High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps June stats: .294/.450/.588, 24 games, 20 R, 7 2B, 0 3B, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 23 BB, 25 K, 11 SB, 2 CS The 24-year-old first baseman continues to be an interesting hitter to watch. A seventh-round draft choice last year out of Cincinnati, the Hawaii native slashed .313/.467/.608 with 11 homers, 46 RBIs and 17 steals in 58 games at Low-A Lake Elsinore, earning a promotion to High-A Fort Wayne. Surprisingly, the TinCaps, with a number of hitter promotions, have struggled to begin the second half offensively with Cross among them. He is off to a 5-for-23 start (.217/.419/.348) with a homer and three RBIs in seven games. One of Cross' best abilities is getting on base. After 43 walks and 56 strikeouts with the Storm, Cross has eight walks and four strikeouts with the TinCaps. That has allowed him to score four runs for Fort Wayne after 49 with Lake Elsinore. Before his promotion, he had hits in 10 of 12 games and RBIs in six of eight. An advanced hitter, he should get acclimated to the Midwest League pretty soon. No. 1: Kavares Tears, OF, High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps June stats: .300/.364/.717, 17 games, 11 R, 5 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 6 BB, 23 K, 0 SB, 1 CS After a rough start to his season, the 23-year-old outfielder has turned things on since mid-May. Since homering as part of a 3-for-5, four-RBI game on May 15, the 2024 fourth-round draft choice out of Tennessee has put up a .272/.346/.576 slash line, which brought his numbers up from .176/.330/.341 to .236/.344/.489. He has hit seven of his nine homers in that span. It has been a steady climb for Tears. Following that initial three-hit game May 15, he has only had one more since then. That came June 24 when he came a triple shy of the cycle. Power was his big tool coming out of college as he hit 20 for Tennessee en route to a national championship in his draft year. He had an 106.4 mph max exit velocity in 2025, which was the third-best in the Padres' system, but the question for Tears was whether he would be able to make contact consistently. He has a 32.1% strikeout rate this season after being at 29.1% last year when he spent the full season at Lake Elsinore, which bears monitoring as his breakout season continues. View full article

On Friday, the four full-season San Diego Padres affiliates went 3-1. The Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas edged Sacramento 4-2, the Double-A San Antonio Missions blanked Amarillo, the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps prevailed 8-5 and the Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm came up short against Stockton 14-10. Padres Minor-League Transactions El Paso Chihuahuas released OF Pablo Reyes. San Diego Padres recalled RHP Alek Jacob from El Paso Chihuahuas. El Paso Chihuahuas sent RHP José Leclerc on a rehab assignment to ACL Padres. Evan Fitterer, Backed By 3 Homers, Sends Chihuahuas Past River Cats Right-handed starter Evan Fitterer went six strong innings, while Nick Solak, Blake Hunt and Luis Rengifo homered as the host Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas turned back the Sacramento River Cats 4-2. Fitterer allowed two runs on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts in his first start since June 3 and matching his longest outing of the season, also going six on May 16. Right-hander Miguel Cienfuegos went two hitless innings, allowing a walk and a single, while right-hander Ethan Routzahn locked down his seventh save of the year with a walk and a strikeout in the ninth. Solak homered for the second game in a row when he went deep in the first inning. The River Cats tied it up with runs in the fifth and sixth innings, but Hunt homered in back-to-back games as well, his fourth this year, in the bottom of the sixth to snap the tie and Rengifo went deep in the seventh for the second time in three games since joining the Chihuahuas after being released by the Milwaukee Brewers. Hunt has homered in three of his last five games since coming down from the Padres, where he made his MLB debut. EP_0703.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Luis Rengifo 4 1 1 1 0 1 Carlos Rodríguez 4 0 2 0 0 0 Will Wagner 4 1 0 0 0 3 Nick Solak 4 1 1 2 0 0 Nick Pratto 4 0 1 0 0 2 Romeo Sanabria 4 0 0 0 0 2 Blake Hunt 3 1 1 1 1 1 Nick Schnell 2 0 0 0 1 1 Clay Dungan 3 0 1 0 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Evan Fitterer 6 5 2 2 1 2 0 Miguel Cienfuegos 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 Ethan Routzahn 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 Andrew Thurman Goes 4 Shutout Innings To Spark Missions' 3-Hitter Right-hander Andrew Thurman, a 34-year-old who is back in affiliated ball this year for the first time since 2017, pitched a season-high four shutout innings to set the tone in a three-hit shutout by the host Double-A San Antonio Missions, who dispatched the Amarillo Sod Poodles 3-0. Tirso Ornelas was on base three times and drove in a pair of runs for the Missions. Thurman, making his second start in three appearances and entering the game with a 5.91 ERA in 20 appearances, gave up only a two-out single in the third inning, walked one and struck out four, while also hitting two batters (same player twice). According to the Missions' pregame notes, Thurman stepped away from baseball completely after 2017 in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization, only to return last year, when he joined the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League, then signing a minor-league deal with the Padres in the offseason. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the second round in 2013. Left-hander Harry Gustin pitched two perfect innings and right-hander Bernard Jose went the final three to pick up his first career Double-A save, allowing two hits and striking out one. The Missions grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Carson Tucker had a leadoff single, advanced to second, went to third on a groundout and scored on Ornelas' sacrifice fly to center. It remained 1-0 until the seventh. Francisco Acuna and Luis Verdugo walked to begin the inning, then pinch-hitter Ethan Salas, Padres Mission's No. 1 prospect, walked in a 10-pitch at-bat to load the bases. After a popout and a strikeout, Ornelas drew the fourth walk of the inning to bring in a run. Following a pitching change, Jake Cunningham lined a single to center to make it 3-0, with Ornelas being thrown out trying to advance to third. SA_0703.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Carson Tucker 3 1 1 0 1 0 Kai Roberts 4 0 0 0 0 2 Tirso Ornelas 2 0 2 2 1 0 Jake Cunningham 4 0 1 1 0 2 Braedon Karpathios 4 0 0 0 0 2 Ryan Jackson 4 0 0 0 0 2 Francisco Acuna 2 1 0 0 2 0 Luis Verdugo 2 1 2 0 1 0 Chris Sargent 1 0 1 0 0 0 Ethan Salas 0 0 0 0 1 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Andrew Thurman 4 1 0 0 1 4 0 Harry Gustin 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bernard Jose 3 2 0 0 0 1 0 Carlos Rodriguez's 3 Hits, 2 RBIs Help TinCaps Stop Losing Streak At 5 Carlos Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Jack Costello and Justin DeCriscio hit solo homers, fueling the host High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps' 8-5 triumph over the Great Lakes Loons, halting a five-game losing skid. TinCaps center fielder Ryan Wideman, Padres Mission's No. 12 prospect and the minors' stolen-base leader, swiped a pair to boost his total to 49, six since coming up to High-A. Left-handed starter Kash Mayfield, Padres Mission's No. 2 prospect, went four innings and gave up two runs on six hits with no strikeouts and five punchouts. Right-hander Abraham Parra went 2⅔ innings, allowing a run on two hits but he walked five while striking out five. Right-hander Will Varmette got his second save of the season by going the final 2⅓ innings and yielding two runs on two hits with no walks and a pair of strikeouts. Trailing 2-1 after the top of the fourth, the TinCaps took the lead in the bottom of the half with three runs. Rodriguez had an RBI single and Wideman a two-run single. The Loons made it 4-3 in the top of the sixth, but Costello got that back with his eighth homer of the year in the bottom half. The TinCaps pulled away in the seventh with three more runs on DeCriscio's one-out homer, his seventh, a hit by pitch, a double by Alex McCoy (Padres Mission's No. 14 prospect) and Rodriguez's single that scored two runs, the second one on a throwing error for an 8-3 advantage. This was Rodriguez's second three-hit game of the season. FW_0703.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Ryan Wideman 5 0 1 2 0 3 Justin DeCriscio 5 1 2 1 0 0 Rosman Verdugo 2 1 0 0 1 1 Alex McCoy 4 1 1 0 0 1 Kerrington Cross 3 1 1 0 0 1 Carlos Rodriguez 4 2 3 2 0 0 Jack Costello 4 1 2 1 0 0 Zach Evans 4 1 2 1 0 0 Kasen Wells 4 0 0 0 0 3 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Kash Mayfield 4 6 2 2 0 5 0 Abraham Parra 2 2/3 2 1 1 5 5 1 Will Varmette 2 1/3 2 2 2 0 2 0 Storm Make Late Comeback, But Can't Overcome Ports The host Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm put up a furious fight late, scoring seven runs in the seventh inning and bringing up the tying run in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn't overcome giving up 11 combined runs in back-to-back innings in a 14-10 loss to the Stockton Ports. Dylan Grego had two hits and drove in four, while Yimy Tovar also had two hits and a pair of RBIs and Conner Westenburg had two hits, an RBI and a run scored for the Storm. Storm left-handed starter Kruz Schoolcraft, Padres Mission's No. 5 prospect, was tagged for six runs in 4⅔ innings, with four coming in a six-run fifth inning. He gave up six hits, including a homer, and three walks while striking out four, pushing his ERA to 7.11. Right-hander Carson Swilling had a disastrous outing, giving up seven runs (six earned) on six hits and three walks while getting just two outs. Right-hander Isaiah Lowe was able to finish the game, going 3⅔ innings and striking out six while allowing a run on three hits and two walks. It was 2-2 after the top of the second and remained tied until the top of the fifth, when the Ports scored six runs and then added five more in the sixth for a sudden 13-2 advantage. But the Storm got one back in the bottom of the sixth, then poured in seven runs in the seventh. A one-out hit by pitch, single and walk loaded the bases when Qrey Lott became the second hit batter of the inning to bring in a run. Westenburg was also hit to force in a run and Grego cleared the bases with a double to pull the Storm within 13-8. Truitt Madonna walked, a wild pitch advanced both runners, then Tovar brought them home with a double to make it 13-10. Tovar made it to third on a wild pitch, but a strikeout ended the inning. The Storm got a runner to third in the eight, but couldn't score. The Ports tacked on a run in the top of the ninth, but the Storm had one last chance in the bottom half. Westenburg singled to left, the next two batters made outs and Tovar reached when the second baseman booted a grounder. That prompted a pitching change with Jose Verdugo getting hit by a pitch to load the bases, but a strikeout ended the game. In all, the Storm had six batters hit by a pitch, including Lott twice. LE_0703.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Yimy Tovar 6 1 2 2 0 1 Jose Verdugo 4 1 1 0 0 2 Yoiber Ocopio 4 1 0 0 1 0 Bradley Frye 3 1 1 0 1 1 George Bilecki 4 1 1 1 1 1 Qrey Lott 3 2 0 1 0 2 Conner Westenburg 4 1 2 1 0 0 Dylan Grego 4 1 2 4 0 2 Alcides Hernandez 2 0 0 0 0 0 Truitt Madonna 2 1 0 0 1 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Kruz Schoolcraft 4 2/3 6 6 6 3 4 1 Carson Swilling 2/3 6 7 6 3 1 1 Isaiah Lowe 3 2/3 3 1 1 2 6 1 Padres Mission's Top 20 Prospect Performance Ethan Salas: 0-for-0, BB Kash Mayfield: 4 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K Miguel Mendez: DNP Ryan Wideman: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 SB, 3 K Kruz Schoolcraft: 4⅔ IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, HR Jorge Quintana: DNP Ty Harvey: On injured list Kale Fountain: Injured, out for season Braedon Karpathios: 0-for-4, 2 K Jagger Haynes: DNP Lamar King Jr.: DNP Tucker Musgrove: DNP Truitt Madonna: 0-for-2, BB, K Alex McCoy: 1-for-4, 2B, K Jesus Castro: DNP Rosman Verdugo: 0-for-2, BB, K Garrett Hawkins: DNP Eric Yost: DNP Michael Salina: DNP Winyer Chourio: DNP View full article

Following six straight losses, the San Diego Padres have lost two key players. Right-handed starter Randy Vasquez and catcher Freddy Fermin were placed on the 10-day injured list Friday by the Padres, who activated catcher Luis Campusano from the 10-day IL and called up right-hander Alek Jacob from Triple-A El Paso. Vasquez is on the IL with a bruised right ankle and Fermin with a head bruise. Campusano had been out since May 7 with a broken left big toe. Vasquez was injured in the first inning of Thursday's 12-7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers when he took a Mookie Betts smash off his right ankle. As he was heading to get X-rays, he fainted and was taken to a hospital in L.A., then was released Friday morning. Right-hander German Marquez, who pitched three innings of relief Thursday, can step into Vasquez's starting role. Fermin took a foul ball from Freddie Freeman off his mask and, a few pitches later, was on the mound for a conference when he started to exhibit signs of an injury and was removed from the game. Fermin spent time this season already on the concussion list, but this has been classified as a head bruise. Campusano will easily fill Fermin's shoes as the lead catcher with Rodolfo Duran the No. 2. Campusano had a slash line of .288/.362/.596 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 18 games before he was hurt. He appeared in two rehab games, going 2-for-6 with a homer, before being needed by the Padres. Jacob joins a Padres bullpen that needs a fresh arm after having to cover six innings Thursday due to a short start by Vasquez. He is up for the third time this season, but has pitched in just two games, allowing two runs in two innings with two walks and three strikeouts. In 34 games at Triple-A El Paso, Jacob has a 3.71 ERA with 17 walks and 34 strikeouts in 34 innings. View full rumor

San Diego Padres right-handed starter Randy Vasquez was back at the team hotel in Los Angeles on Friday morning after fainting Thursday night. Vasquez was nailed on the right ankle by a comebacker off the bat of Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts in the first inning of a 12-7 loss. Vasquez not only stayed in the game and finished the inning, but he went two more innings before being removed. As a precaution, he was en route to getting an X-ray on the ankle when he fainted at Dodger Stadium, manager Craig Stammen said on MLB Network Radio. Vasquez was then taken to a hospital. "That's great news in what could have been a really scary situation and definitely caught everybody off-guard," Stammen said. "But glad Randy's doing well, and X-rays were negative and all the tests came back pretty clean." Due to the fainting spell, the X-rays were not taken. Testing will be done to determine Vasquez's injury status. View full rumor

The San Diego Padres have released one of their most productive minor-league hitters. Infielder Pablo Reyes was let go from Triple-A El Paso by the Padres, according to the transaction tracker on his MLB profile page. The move was dated Thursday, but posted Friday. No word on whether the 32-year-old had an out clause in his contract or the Padres felt they had too many bodies at Triple-A. Reyes had been a consistent offensive presence in the Chihuahuas' lineup, putting up a .310/.408/.491 slash line in 56 games with six homers, 33 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Reyes' batting average was second on the team and his 19 doubles were tops for the Chihuahuas, who recently got three players added to the roster in Luis Rengifo, Nick Solak and Will Wagner. Solak and Wagner were recently up with the Padres, while Rengifo was signed after being released by the Milwaukee Brewers. Reyes started the season off hot, reaching base in the first 30 games he played in. The Padres were Reyes' seventh organization and he appeared in the majors with four of those clubs. View full rumor

Thursday saw the San Diego Padres' four full-season affiliates go 1-3 as the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas fell to Sacramento 9-7, the Double-A San Antonio Missions beat Amarillo 7-3, the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps lost to Great Lakes 6-2 and the Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm were beaten by Stock 8-4. Padres Minor-League Transactions No roster moves Chihuahuas Can't Overcome Early Deficit, Fall to River Cats Left-handed starter Jackson Wolf gave up five runs in the first two innings and the host Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas couldn't fully catch up in losing to the Sacramento River Cats 9-7. Nick Solak, Mason McCoy and Will Wagner homered for the Chihuahuas, with Solak and Nick Pratto each having two hits, while Solak and Wagner scored twice. This was Wagner's first game since being optioned back to the Chihuahuas. Wolf recovered from the rough first two innings to finish a season-high six innings in which he gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits with three walks and five punchouts. Right-hander Andrew Moore followed, but allowed his first run in 11 appearances (since May 22) in 1⅔ innings on three hits and two walks. Moore did not strike out a batter for the first time since his second game of the season (April 14). This was his third Triple-A appearance after being promoted last week. Solak led off the bottom of the second with his 10th homer and first since returning to the Chihuahuas after being called up by the Padres and then designated for assignment to make it 5-1. McCoy belted his eight homer, a two-run shot, in the fourth to pull within 5-3. The River Cats scored once in the sixth and seventh to restore the four-run lead at 7-3, then Wagner drilled his fourth homer of the season in the eighth to make it 7-5. Again, the River Cats scored twice to go up 9-5, but the Chihuahuas clawed back on Pratto's RBI single and Luis Rengifo's run-scoring groundout, but that would be it. EP_0702.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Bryce Johnson 4 0 0 0 0 1 Luis Rengifo 5 0 1 1 0 1 Luis Campusano 4 0 0 0 1 2 Nick Solak 4 2 2 1 0 0 Will Wagner 3 2 1 2 1 0 Mason McCoy 4 1 1 2 0 1 Carlos Rodriguez 4 1 1 0 0 1 Romeo Sanabria 3 0 1 0 1 2 Clay Dungan 0 1 0 0 0 0 Nick Pratto 4 0 2 1 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jackson Wolf 6 7 6 5 3 5 0 Andrew Moore 1 2/3 3 1 1 2 0 0 Ty Adcock 2/3 1 2 2 1 0 0 Justin Yeager 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 Ethan Salas Back In Form, Kai Roberts Breaks Steals Mark Ethan Salas had two hits and snapped a tie with a two-run single to highlight a five-run sixth inning, while Kai Roberts stole three bases to break the Texas League record with his 28th consecutive as the host Double-A San Antonio Missions notched a 7-3 victory over the Amarillo Sod Poodles. Right-handed starter Victor Lizarraga led a strong effort by the Missions' pitching staff. Roberts, who had two hits, an RBI and scored twice, broke the record of 27 straight steals set by Jeff Cross of the Houston Buffaloes in 1942. He tied and broke the mark when he stole second and third in the eighth inning after being hit by a pitch. Ryan Jackson went 3-for-4 with a run scored, while Jake Cunningham (double, RBI) and Luis Verdugo (run scored) each had two hits. Tirso Ornelas tripled and had two walks. It was the second game for Salas, Padres Mission's No. 1 prospect, who just came off the seven-day injured list following a mild oblique injury. He went 0-for-3 in his first game, then sat out the game Wednesday, a typical day off when healthy for Salas. Lizarraga went five innings and gave up two runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Right-hander Sadrac Franco allowed a run in two innings, while right-handers Clark Candiotti and Johan Moreno each struck out three in their scoreless innings. Wyatt Hoffman's fourth-inning sacrifice fly and Cunningham's RBI double in the fifth had the game tied 2-2. In the six, the Missions broke it open with five runs. An error, a single and a hit by pitch preceded Salas' two-run single. Following a pitching change, Kai Roberts drove in another, then a walk led to Cunningham's run-scoring grounder. Braedon Karpathios, Padres Mission's No. 9 prospect, singled home the final run of the inning for a 7-2 lead. SA_0702.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Ethan Salas 4 1 2 2 1 0 Kai Roberts 4 2 2 1 0 0 Tirso Ornelas 3 0 1 0 2 1 Jake Cunningham 5 0 2 1 0 1 Braedon Karpathios 5 0 1 1 0 2 Ryan Jackson 4 1 3 0 0 0 Albert Fabian 3 1 1 0 0 1 Luis Verdugo 4 1 2 0 0 1 Wyatt Hoffman 2 1 0 1 0 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Victor Lizarraga 5 5 2 2 3 3 0 Sadrac Franco 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 Clark Candiotti 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 Johan Moreno 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 TinCaps Can't Get Going Until It Is Too Late Against Loons Rosman Verdugo had a pair of doubles and an RBI and Alex McCoy had two hits, but the host High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps were blanked for the first eighth innings in a 6-2 setback against the Great Lakes Loons. For McCoy, Padres Mission's No. 14 prospect, it was his 20th multihit game of the year. TinCaps right-handed starter Carson Montgomery gave up four runs on four hits, including a pair of homers, and three walks while striking out two. Left-hander Braian Salazar (three strikeouts) and right-hander Will Koger each gave up a run in two innings. The Loons scored once in the second and third innings, then two more in the fifth and again in the seventh and eighth innings to build a 6-0 lead. In the ninth, the TinCaps mounted a rally. Carlos Rodriguez walked, Jack Costello singled him to third and Kasen Wells foiled the shutout with a single to center that sent Costello to third. After a pitching change and a flyout, Verdugo doubled home Costello. But the last two TinCaps struck out to end the game. FW_0702.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Justin DeCriscio 5 0 0 0 0 1 Rosman Verdugo 5 0 2 1 0 1 Lamar King Jr. 4 0 0 0 0 2 Alex McCoy 4 0 2 0 1 1 Kavares Tears 3 0 0 0 1 2 Kerrington Cross 3 0 0 0 1 2 Carlos Rodriguez 2 1 0 0 2 1 Jack Costello 4 1 1 0 0 0 Kasen Wells 4 0 1 1 0 1 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Carson Montgomery 5 4 4 4 3 2 2 Braian Salazar 2 3 1 1 0 3 0 Will Koger 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 Storm Rallies, But Ports Pull Away Late The host Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm gave up two runs in the seventh and ninth innings as the Stockton Ports came away with an 8-4 victory. Storm starter Lan-Hong Su, in his second Low-A start after being promoted, gave up a four-run second inning in his three frames. He allowed four hits, including a homer, and two walks while striking out four. Left-hander Zack Qin then tossed three scoreless innings, yielding three hits and three walks with one strikeout. Left-hander Cal Riehl and right-hander Daichi Moriki each allowed two runs over the final three innings. Down 4-0, the Storm climbed back into the game in the middle innings. Jorge Quintana stole third and scored on a wild pitch in the fourth, Bradley Frye had a sacrifice fly and Yimy Tovar swiped home as part of a double steal in the fifth and Alcides Hernandez grounded a single to center in the sixth to tie it 4-4. Hernandez was on base four times as he also drew three walks. LE_0702.mp4 Player AB R H RBI BB K Yimy Tovar 4 1 1 0 1 1 Yoiber Ocopio 4 0 1 0 0 1 Dawson Willis 4 0 0 0 0 4 Bradley Frye 3 0 0 1 0 0 Jorge Quintana 2 1 0 0 2 1 George Bilecki 4 0 1 0 0 1 Conner Westenburg 3 1 0 0 0 1 Dylan Grego 4 0 0 0 0 1 Alcides Hernandez 1 1 1 1 3 0 Player IP H R ER BB K HR Lan-Hong Su 3 4 4 4 2 4 1 Zack Qin 3 3 0 0 3 1 0 Cal Riehl 1 1/3 2 2 2 0 1 1 Daichi Moriki 1 2/3 4 2 2 2 0 0 Padres Mission's Top 20 Prospect Performance Ethan Salas: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB Kash Mayfield: DNP Miguel Mendez: DNP Ryan Wideman: DNP Kruz Schoolcraft: DNP Jorge Quintana: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K Ty Harvey: On injured list Kale Fountain: Injured, out for season Braedon Karpathios: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K Jagger Haynes: DNP Lamar King Jr.: 0-for-4, 2 K Tucker Musgrove: DNP Truitt Madonna: DNP Alex McCoy: 2-for-4, BB, K Jesus Castro: DNP Rosman Verdugo: 2-for-5, 2 2B, RBI, K Garrett Hawkins: DNP Eric Yost: DNP Michael Salina: DNP Winyer Chourio: DNP View full article

The San Diego Padres will be without one of their leverage arms until at least after the All-Star break. The Padres on Thursday put right-handed setup man Jason Adam on the 15-day injured list with a strained right shoulder. Right-handed starter German Marquez, out for two months with right forearm irritation, was activated from the 15-day IL before Thursday's series opener against the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. No specifics were given as to when Adam was injured, although he did pitch the eighth inning of Monday's 3-2 walk-off loss to the Chicago Cubs. Adam allowed a run on two hits with a strikeout. That was his third appearance in four days and fourth in six days as the Padres' bullpen has had to cover for a starting rotation that has lacked quality innings. Adam has generally been good this season, although a tad erratic at times. In 36 appearances and 32⅓ innings, with a career-best 6% walk rate and a career-worst 16.4% strikeout rate. Adam had a 25.9% strikeout rate last year before his season ended with a quadriceps injury and his career rate is 27.7%. Marquez, signed just as spring training began to fill out the back end of the rotation after a 10-year career with the Colorado Rockies, struggled through six starts, putting up a 6.65 FIP (5.76 ERA) with a 9.4% walk rate and 14.8% strikeout rate. The walk rate is worse than his career mark of 7.3%, while his strikeout numbers are on par for his last two seasons, but below his career rate of 21.6%. Marquez could be in a relief role as his last two appearances on his rehab assignment at Triple-A El Paso were out of the bullpen. View full rumor