For the 1st time since 1994, when the El Paso Diablos won the Texas League Championship, the Borderland is home to a professional baseball championship team once again.
The El Paso Chihuahuas clinched their first Pacific Coast League championship Saturday in a 4-3 suspenseful 11-inning win. It is the first title for a Padres Triple-A affiliate since 1988 and El Paso’s first professional baseball championship since 1994.
With the game tied 1-1 in the sixth inning, Hunter Renfroe hit a two-run single through a drawn-in infield to give the Chihuahuas a 3-1 advantage. Oklahoma City scored a single run in each of its next two team at-bats to tie the game. The score remain tied into the 11th, with Oklahoma City leaving runners on in scoring position in the eighth, ninth and tenth innings.
El Paso put runners on at first and third in the top of the 11th inning with no outs and then took the lead on a bizarre play. Jose Rondon popped up a bunt in front of the mound and Oklahoma City reliever Lisalverto Bonilla tried to make a diving catch. The ball flung out of his glove, flew over the catcher and Patrick Kivlehan scored the go-ahead run to make it 4-3 El Paso.
Oklahoma City’s Brandon Hicks hit a one-out double in the bottom of the 11th inning and advanced to third on a fly ball to center field. The tying run was at third base when Chris Taylor grounded out to third baseman Nick Noonan, ending the championship series.
Next Game: Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game. El Paso TBA vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre TBA.
Season Highlight Gallery | Photos by Andres Acosta
El Paso 4 Oklahoma City 3 – Saturday – 11 Innings
WP: Eitel (2-0)
LP: Bonilla (0-1)
S: Maton (3)
Time: 3:43 (:41 delay)
Attn: 5,581
Chihuahuas starting pitcher #28 Greg Reynolds
The El Paso Chihuahuas entering the field
Reno’s Michael Freeman #5 breaks up the double play throw from Chihuahuas second baseman Carlos Asuaje #2
El Paso Chihuahuas 3rd Baseman Jemile Weeks with the throw to 1st base.
El Paso firstbaseman James Loney with the tag attempt of Reno’s Michael Freeman.
Austin Hedges hit a two-run home run in the first inning, his 18th of the season and later caught two Grizzlies trying to steal second base.
Chihuahuas catcher #18 Austin Hedges snd #5 Casey McElroy celebrate during the bottom of the eighth inning
Chihuahuas Skipper Rod Barajas talking with the Umpire during Sunday afternoon’s contest against the Reno Aces.
File: El Paso third baseman Ryan Schimpf went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBIs in the game 1 loss.
Carlos Asuaje
Chihuahuas’ Nick Noonan sliding into second base.
Chihuahuas’ James Loney
Chico taking photos with the Lil Pirates baseball team during Pregame ceremony at 70’s Night.
#5 Casey McElroy in the 70’s Themed throwback jersey
File: Chihuahuas starting pitcher #13 Daniel McCutchen
Chihuahuas outfielder #2 Carlos Asuaje with the diving catch
Chihuahuas #10 Hunter Renfroe with the hit
Chihuahuas #9 James Loney slides into second base during 70’s night at Southwest University Park
El paso Chihuahuas Manager Rod Barajas #26
Chihuahuas #10 Hunter Renfroe
Chihuahuas #10 Hunter Renfroe slides in for the Triple
Chihuahuas #10 Hunter Renfroe slides in for the Triple
Chihuahuas #2 Carlos Asuaje with the slide to 2nd base
Chico pointing to the crowd
Chihuahuas Throwback 70’s style baseball caps
Chihuahuas #2 Carlos Asuaje went 3-for-5 in the loss to extend his hitting streak to nine games. Asuaje now has a league-leading 154 hits.
El Paso’s #9 James Loney and Manager Rod Barajas #26
Chihuahuas #3 Ryan Schimpf with the Walk off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning.
Chihuahuas starting pitcher #28 Fabio Castillo
Hunter Renfroe hit his 30th home run of the season in the top of the first inning Saturday
Chihuahuas #3 Ryan Schimpf with the Walk off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning vs NOLA on May 15th
FILE: Chihuahuas #21 Nick Noonan slides into home.
Chihuahuas #3 Ryan Schimpf with the Walk off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning vs NOLA in April
Fireworks Celebration
Fireworks Celebration
Manuel Margot went 3-for-6 with two RBI in Friday night’s win
El Paso’e Chihuahuas outfielder #10 Hunter Renfroe
Bark at the Park for the Chihuahuas vs Zephyrs Game
El Paso Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas Manager Rod Barajas holds back Josh Satin #14 during an argument with the umpire
El Paso pitcher #15 Daniel Moskos
#30 Alex Dickerson
El Paso’s #3 Ryan Schimpf with the throw to first base.
El Paso’s James Loney #9 pinch hits for a single during the 8th inning.
Chihuahuas #18 Ricardo Valenzuela with the game winning single in the bottom of the 9th inning.
Chihuahuas players Celebrate after the game winning play
Chihuahuas players Celebrate after the game winning play
El Paso Desert Gators #10 Hunter Renfroe after hitting a Solo Home Run vs the River Cats
El Paso Desert Gators #10 Hunter Renfroe after hitting a Solo Home Run vs the River Cats
Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
Manager for the Day Manuel Chavez III at Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
Edwin jackson #34 EP Chihuahuas with the Solo Home Run- Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
#4 Manuel Margot with the diving attempt during Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
#10 Hunter Renfroe with the Home Run during Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
#50 Bryan Rodriguez Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
Reno Aces Vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Independence Day Celebration
#10 Hunter Renfroe with a three run homer during the Sounds Vs Chihuahuas at Southwest University Park
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park 7.21.16
Tacoma vs El Paso at Southwest University Park
Tacoma vs El Paso at Southwest University Park
Tacoma vs El Paso at Southwest University Park
Tacoma vs El Paso at Southwest University Park
Tacoma vs El Paso at Southwest University Park
Tacoma vs El Paso at Southwest University Park
Tacoma vs El Paso at Southwest University Park
The World Famous San Deigo Chicken
El Paso Chihuahuas Hector Sanchez getting his bat ready
El Paso Chihuahuas Hunter Renfroe
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park 7.21.16
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park 7.21.16
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park 7.21.16
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park 7.21.16
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park 7.21.16
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park 7.21.16
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park 7.21.16
Quintin Demps of the Houston Texans throwing out the first pitch of the Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park
Memphis Redbirds vs El Paso Chihuahuas, at Southwest University Park
Sounds Vs Chihuahuas at Southwest University Park
In his first full Triple-A season, the four-year professional has enjoyed a career year to pace a Chihuahuas offense that has scored the second-most runs the league.
El Paso’s #10 Hunter Renfroe with the throw from right field to gun out the runner at Second during Sounds Vs Chihuahuas at Southwest University Park
Sounds Vs Chihuahuas at Southwest University Park
Nashville Sounds vs El Paso Chihuahuas @ Southwest University Park
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