Padres Down on the Farm: September 12 (Storm win DS/Baez sharp in SA)

San Diego Padres affiliate clubs went 3-0 on Thursday.

Here is a recap of the day’s events.

Photo byLake Elsinore Storm

El Paso Chihuahuas (Won 7-5 vs Salt Lake) (56-85 on the season)
Brett Sullivan - 4-for-4, Two RBI
Tirso Ornelas - 2-for-4, Two-Run Double
Nabil Crismatt - 5.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 7 K (105 pitches - 66 strikes)

A twelve-hit showing from the El Paso offense led the way to a comeback 7-5 win. Brett Sullivan had a flawless day at the plate, reaching base in all five plate appearances (via four singles and a walk). Tirso Ornelas continued his strong September with a two-RBI double in the late innings as part of a multi-hit day. Bryce Johnson opened the scoring with a solo home run, his fourth of the season, and the Chihuahuas finished 5-for-16 (31.2% success rate) with runners in scoring position.

Nabil Crismatt tossed a season-high 105 pitches in 5.2 innings. Crismatt allowed eight hits in 5.2 innings, tossing five shutout innings before laboring through the sixth, departing with two runners on. Paul Fry allowed a go-ahead hit to Bees infielder Kyren Paris. Logan Gillaspie was credited with the victory, tossing a scoreless eighth inning. Chihuahuas closer Austin Davis allowed a run in the ninth, but managed to close out the 7-5 win on back-to-back strikeouts of Chad Wallach and Elliot Soto, securing his 11th save of the year.

San Antonio Missions (Won 4-1 vs Springfield) (60-73 on the season)
Joshua Mears - 1-for-4, Two-RBI Double
Anthony Vilar - 1-for-2, Walk, RBI Single
Henry Baez - 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K (82 pitches - 53 strikes)

Another quality start was in the cards for Missions starter Henry Baez, as the right-hander allowed one run while pitching into the seventh inning, Baez struck out four batters, walking only one. He also managed to record nine of his 17 outs on the ground, for a groundball rate nearing 50%. Baez has shown maturity at Double-A, not being afraid to rely on ground balls as opposed to strikeouts. Bradgley Rodriguez tossed 1.2 scoreless frames in relief, and Ryan Och locked down save number three of his season.

A four-run fourth inning was all the Missions needed with the strength of their pitching on Thursday. With two on, Joshua Mears lined a double to the opposite field to put San Antonio on the board, now leading 2-0. Anthony Vilar and Marcos Castanon singled to extend the lead ti four. The team finished a solid 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position, and they drew seven walks as a lineup to set the stage for a 4-1 win.

Lake Elsinore Storm (Won 2-1 vs Visalia) (Won Divisional Series 2-0)
Braedon Karpathios - 1-for-4, Go-Ahead Home Run
Kai Roberts - 1-for-4, Run Scored
Miguel Mendez - 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 5 BB, 2 K (90 pitches - 48 strikes)

A game of tension and drama filled the Lake Elsinore evening, and the Diamond was absolutely rocking following the Storm’s one-run win. Starter Miguel Mendez was “effectively wild”, walking five but only allowing an unearned run on two hits, punching out two. 10 of 15 outs recorded by Mendez came on groundballs, allowing Mendez to escape jams easier than most. Reliever Kleiber Olmedo pitched three shutout frames in relief of Mendez, striking out five batters and earning the win on the score sheet.

Ryan Jackson brought in the first Storm run in the first on a sacrifice fly to score Kai Roberts, and the score remained 1-0 until a sacrifice fly from Visalia knotted the game at one run apiece. Braedon Karpathios stepped to the plate in the seventh and swatted a home run down the left field line to put Lake Elsinore back in front by one run. Entering the ninth, Lake Elsinore turned to Tyson Neighbors for the second consecutive game. With a one-run lead, Neighbors kept his composure, retiring Demetrio Crisantes on a line drive to end the game and divisional series, with both going to the Storm.

Friday’s Probable Pitchers:
El Paso - Gabe Mosser (6-7, 5.79 ERA)
San Antonio - Braden Nett (Double-A Debut)
Lake Elsinore - No Game