PADRES SCORE A BEVY OF HOME RUNS TO BEAT CHIHUAHUAS

By Liz Alper

Photo: San Diego Padres on Twitter

March 31, 2016 (El Paso, Tx.) - With Opening Day coming up on Monday, the Padres traveled to El Paso to wrap up spring training against the AAA El Paso Chihuahuas.

Hunter Renfroe started things off for the Chihuahuas in the bottom of the first with a two-run blast to center off of Padres starter Robbie Erlin for a 2-0 El Paso lead.  Yeison Ascencio drove in one more run to make the score 3-0.

In the second, Jabari Blash saved the day again with a three-run shot to left to tie the game at three.  Cory Spangenberg hit a two-out RBI single to give the Padres the lead, 4-3.

The Chihuahuas answered in their half of the second with a sac groundout that tied the score at four.  Another sacrifice, this time in the form of a popout by Renfroe, gave El Paso a 5-4 lead.

In the fourth, Blash hit his second home run of the game, this time a two-run shot to center to pull the Padres ahead again 6-5.  Spangenberg hit another RBI single and it was 7-5.  

In the Chihuahuas’ half of the fourth, of course it was Renfroe who tied the game at seven with a shot to center field and out of the ballpark.

The game stayed knotted up for two innings, then in the sixth, Travis Jankowski blasted the ball to center to give the Padres a 9-7 lead.  Jose Pirela drove in a run on a single to make the score 10-7.  

In the Chihuahuas’ half of the sixth, Luis Perdomo threw a wild pitch and in came a run to make the score 10-8.  

Renfroe tried to get the Chihuahuas back on track in the eighth with an RBI single with two outs to cut the Padres lead to one at 10-9.

 

Adam Rosales extended the lead in the Pads’ half of the eighth with a solo homer to bring the Padres back to a two run lead at 11-9.  Trae Santos did the same for a 12-9 lead.  Austin Hedges added ANOTHER solo homer for one more run and a 13-9 lead.  

The Chihuahuas stranded two in their half of the ninth and the Padres won this one 13-9.  Remember, Fanfest is Friday and Saturday and the Padres will take on the Chicago White Sox on both days.