Tag Archives: el paso diablos

On Wednesday morning, officials with the El Paso Chihuahuas announced their 2020 promotional schedule, which includes Star Wars Night, three replica jersey giveaways, 13 nights of fireworks.

The Chihuahuas will feature the return of their recurring weekly promotional specials, once again offering something for everyone. Those include Military Mondays presented by Prudential, Taco Tues & Brews presented by Isabella Foods, Diablos Days & Seniors Eat Free on Wednesdays, Thrifty Thursdays presented by Speaking Rock Entertainment & Thank You Thursdays presented by Prudential, Fetch the Fun Fridays, Fireworks Spectacular Saturdays and Kids Day Sundays.

Chihuahuas Opening Day is slated for Tuesday, April 14 versus the Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s affiliate).  Rally towels will be given away to the first 3,000 guests through the gates with paid admission. It is also Taco Tues & Brews presented by Isabella Foods with $2 tacos and $2 beer (to be determined) until 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15^th marks the first of four 11:05 a.m. midweek day baseball games of the 2020 campaign. The other dates include April 20^th, and May 18^th and 19^th.

The force will be with the Chihuahuas on May 2^nd when the Chihuahuas celebrate Star Wars Night that include specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting a local nonprofit.

New to the giveaway lineup in 2020 are replica jerseys! The Chihuahuas will give away a Diablos replica on April 29^th presented by Chick-fil-a, Chihuahuas jersey on June 1^st presented by Southwest University and Margaritas jersey on August 25^th. The giveaway docket also includes a Howling Dog Bucket Hat on Monday, July 20^th.

The popular GECU Bark at the Park will be on May 3^rd, July 12^th and August 28^th, with the latter featuring the popular GECU Bark at the Park jersey auction.

Guests are invited to enjoy baseball on three major holidays in 2020: Mother’s Day (May 10), Father’s Day (June 21) and Independence Day Celebration (July 2-3).  Eleven Fireworks Spectacular shows will light up the night sky on Saturdays and fans will be able to enjoy the Independence Day Celebration on July 2^nd and 3^rd featuring the best fireworks display in El Paso!

Military, first responders and veterans will continue to enjoy a 25% savings on Monday through Thursday games (excludes April 14 and July 3) via epchihuahuas.com, GovX.com or in person with valid ID at either of the Southwest University Park box office locations.

On Military Mondays presented by Prudential, all active military and veterans will get to enjoy one complimentary Jumbo Hot Dog Meal with valid military ID.

The Chihuahuas will play as the Margaritas on April 30^th, June 2^nd, July 9^th, July 28^th, and August 25^th as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversion.

Most giveaways are for the first 1,500 guests through the gates with paid admission and in attendance. Limited sizes are available. Limit one per person. Giveaways and promotions are subject to change without notice.

More promotions and themes are coming, for up-to-the-minute information on promotions and giveaways, click here.

The Chihuahuas are currently taking deposits for NEW 2020 Season Seat Memberships. Six levels of Memberships are available offering Members unprecedented in-Ballpark access during the season, year-round membership benefits new for 2020 and exclusive VIP treatment. For more information on NEW 2020 Season Seat Memberships, call or text an Account Executive at (915) 533-BASE.

Groups, Premium Hospitality Events, and single-game Suites are also on sale and dates are filling up fast; for more information call (915) 533-BASE, email tickets@epchihuahuas.com, or visit EPChihuahuas.com.

Single game and Opening Day tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday, February 22^nd beginning at 10 a.m. both online at epchihuahuas.com or at the Southwest University Park box offices. The Durango & Santa Fe Box Offices will be open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on February 22 and will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Fans may purchase individual game tickets online at any time at epchihuahuas.com.

Edwin Rodriguez will return as manager of the El Paso Chihuahuas in 2020, the Chihuahuas and San Diego Padres announced Friday. Rodriguez led the 2019 Chihuahuas to 80 wins, the second-most victories in team history.

“We are excited to welcome back Edwin Rodriguez, Morgan Burkhart and Lance Burkhart from the field staff and Dan Turner, Dan Leja and A.J. Russell from the training staff,” Chihuahuas Senior Vice President and General Manager Brad Taylor said.

“All were here last year when the Chihuahuas compiled a second-best ever team record of 80-60 and smashed Minor League Baseball’s home run record with 258 homers. We also look forward to having Pete Zamora join our field staff. As the Padres continue to strengthen themselves at the Major League level, El Paso continues to be integral in the Padres player development.”

Rodriguez is entering his fourth season in the Padres organization, having spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons managing the High-A Lake Elsinore Storm. He was the Major League manager for the Florida Marlins for parts of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, becoming the first Puerto Rican manager in MLB history.

Rodriguez managed Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic in 2013 and 2017. As a player, Rodriguez reached the Major Leagues for parts of three seasons with the New York Yankees (1982) and the Padres (1983 and 1985).

Pitching coach Pete Zamora is the lone newcomer to the coaching staff. Zamora was the pitching coach for Lake Elsinore the past two seasons and helped the Storm post the lowest team ERA in the California League in 2019. He also coached in the Padres organization with Rookie-Level Peoria from 2016-2017.

As a player, Zamora was drafted in the 20^th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1997 out of UCLA and pitched eight seasons professionally in the Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations.

Hitting coach Morgan Burkhart will return for his fifth season with El Paso and eighth in the Padres organization. Morgan’s brother Lance will return as El Paso’s fielding coach, his third year with the Chihuahuas and sixth in the Padres organization.

The Chihuahuas 2020 training staff will include Athletic Trainers Dan Turner and Dan Leja, as well as Strength Coach A.J. Russell.

The Chihuahuas have had six consecutive winning seasons and will begin their seventh season on Thursday, April 9 at Salt Lake against the Bees (Los Angeles Angels affiliate) with the El Paso home opener coming Tuesday, April 14 versus the Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s affiliate).

The Chihuahuas have 70 regular season home games scheduled in 2020. For more information on new 2020 Season Seat Memberships, call or text an Account Executive at (915) 533-BASE

For more information on Groups, Premium Hospitality Events, and single-game suite call (915) 533-BASE, email tickets@epchihuahuas.com or visit EPChihuahuas.com.

The El Paso Chihuahuas announced their 2020 season home schedule on Monday. Opening night is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 14 versus the Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s) at Southwest University Park.

The home season includes 70 home games of a 140-game schedule that will run through Sunday, August 30.

The Chihuahuas open their seventh season at Southwest University Park with nine home games in April including a seven-game series against the Aviators and the Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels), respectively.

The Chihuahuas will play 13 and 15 games in May and June, including Mother’s Day (May 17) and Father’s Day (June 21). The Chihuahuas will play 16 games in July and August is the heaviest month of the home schedule with 17 games.

As members of the Pacific Coast League’s (PCL) Pacific Conference, the Chihuahuas will face Albuquerque, Fresno, Las Vegas, Reno, Sacramento, Salt Lake and Tacoma twice.

The Chihuahuas will take on each member of the American Conference once, including visits from Nashville (June 17-19), Memphis (June 20-23), Iowa (July 28-July 30) and Omaha (July 31-August 3).

The complete 2020 Chihuahuas home schedule as well as a home schedule breakdown follows.

The Chihuahuas are currently taking deposits for NEW 2020 Season Seat Memberships! Six levels of memberships are available offering members unprecedented in-ballpark access during the season, new year-round membership benefits and exclusive VIP treatment to its members.

For more information on NEW 2020 Season Seat Memberships, call or text an Account Executive at (915) 533-BASE!

Groups, Premium Hospitality Events, and single-game suites are also on sale and dates are filling up fast! For more information call (915) 533-BASE, email tickets@epchihuahuas.com, or visit EPChihuahuas.com.

Individual game ticket sales, game times and promotions will be announced at a later date.

***

2020 Chihuahuas Home Schedule

DATE                                       TEAM                                                   AFFILIATE

April 14-16                              vs. Las Vegas Aviators                         Oakland A’s

April 17-20                              vs. Salt Lake Bees                                  Los Angeles Angels

April 29-May 3                       vs. Tacoma Rainiers                             Seattle Mariners

May 8-11                                  vs. Sacramento River Cats                 San Francisco Giants

May 16-19                                vs. Salt Lake Bees                                  Los Angeles Angels

May 30-June 2                        vs. Albuquerque Isotopes                  Colorado Rockies

June 3-7                                    vs. Las Vegas Aviators                         Oakland A’s

June 17-19                               vs. Nashville Sounds                            Texas Rangers

June 20-23                               vs. Memphis Redbirds                         St. Louis Cardinals

June 30-July 3                         vs. Reno Aces                                         Arizona Diamondbacks

July 8-12                                   vs. Fresno Grizzlies                              Washington Nationals

July 13-15                                 All-Star Break

July 20-23                                 vs. Sacramento River Cats                 San Francisco Giants

July 28-30                                 vs. Iowa Cubs                                         Chicago Cubs

July 31-August 3                    vs. Omaha Storm Chasers                  Kansas City Royals

August 13-16                          vs. Reno Aces                                         Arizona Diamondbacks

August 17-20                          vs. Albuquerque Isotopes                  Colorado Rockies

August 25-27                          vs. Tacoma Rainiers                             Seattle Mariners

August 28-30                          vs. Fresno Grizzlies                              Washington Nationals

HOME SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN

By Month                                          By Day of Week                               By Team

April                     9                            Sunday                11                         Albuquerque                    8

May                      13                         Monday              8                            Fresno                                8

June                     15                         Tuesday              9                            Iowa                                   3

July                       16                         Wednesday       10                         Las Vegas                          8

August                 17                         Thursday            11                         Memphis                           4

                                                            Friday                  10                         Nashville                           3

Saturday             11                         Omaha                               4

                                                                                                                        Reno                                   8

                                                                                                                        Sacramento                      8

                                                                                                                        Salt Lake                            8

                                                                                                                        Tacoma                              8

For the second time in 2019, the El Paso Chihuahuas will host one of Minor League Baseball’s (MiLB) premier events – the Minor League Baseball Innovators Summit and the Minor League Baseball Innovators Summit Trade Show.

“The Minor League Baseball Innovators Summit is an official proclamation and accurate depiction that our 160 teams are all industry leaders in creativity, inclusion and showmanship,” said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O’Conner. “Simply put, there is nothing minor about Minor League Baseball, and this event proves that.”

The summit will take place at the El Paso Convention Center and Performing Arts Center including the Abraham Chavez Theatre and the Judson F. Williams Convention Center, as well as Southwest University Park, home of the El Paso Chihuahuas and the El Paso Locomotive FC.

The summit will bring more than 500 MiLB executives from nearly all MiLB teams, trade show exhibitors and event partners from around the country to downtown El Paso for four days of industry workshops, seminars, sharing of ideas and best practices and will culminate in an event and awards presentation at Southwest University Park.

Alan Ledford, president of MountainStar Sports Group and the Chihuahuas said, “Part of the vision for Southwest University Park was for it to serve as a catalyst for economic development and a means to improve the quality of life in this region. We are honored to once again welcome hundreds of executives and show vendors from around the country to El Paso.

“This represents another opportunity to show off our unmatched hospitality and the great things happening throughout our community and downtown.”

Started as the El Paso Promotional Seminar in 1976 by Jim Paul, former owner of the El Paso Diablos, the meeting brought together industry leaders to discuss challenges facing the business and to explore innovative ways to give baseball fans the best experiences when attending a baseball game.

The meeting quickly grew and has become an annual premier event for executives and staff in Minor League Baseball.

Brad Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of MountainStar Sports Group, began working on bringing the seminar back to its original home in El Paso during the 2014 inaugural season of the El Paso Chihuahuas.

During the 2018 MiLB Promotional Seminar in Des Moines, Iowa, Taylor’s hard work was rewarded when it was announced that El Paso would become the host city for the newly-rebranded MiLB Innovators Summit in 2019.

“It is only appropriate in an anniversary year that this event comes full circle and returns home to El Paso,” Taylor said. “Our goal was to bring the new generation of Minor League operators to our great city to learn from each other and to celebrate and remember what Jim Paul and the Diablos started. Now the Chihuahuas carry it forward.”

With the return to El Paso in 2019, the MiLB Promo Seminar now has a new name and logo – the Minor League Baseball Innovators Summit. The summit will include four days of presentations, keynote speakers, including Paul, workshops including a Ticketing Symposium presented by Tickets.com, charity events, a trade show and a Women in Baseball event to name a few.

Attendees will participate in the MiLB CommUNITY Service Project, presented by Musco Sports Lighting and Uncle Ray’s, on Monday, Sept. 23 at the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) located at 7060 Comington St.

The four-day summit culminates with an event at Southwest University Park on Thursday, Sept. 26, that includes the annual Golden Bobblehead Awards, honoring those teams that have had the most unique and creative promotions or events during the 2019 season.

Southwest University Park has seen its share of premier MiLB events since it opened its doors in 2014. The Chihuahuas hosted the Gildan Triple-A National Championship in 2015 in front of a nationally-televised standing room only crowd.

On the heels of the success of the game and during the 2017 season, MiLB announced that MountainStar Sports Group and the El Paso Chihuahuas, would host another nationally-televised premier event – the 2019 RMHC Triple-A All-Star Game and Jarritos Home Run Derby, two events that brought thousands of visitors to downtown El Paso and more than 16,000 patrons to Southwest University Park.

Ledford added, “MountainStar Sports Group has, as its mission, to bring a variety of events and activities to our ballpark. Events like the Innovators Summit fill our hotel rooms, restaurants, and bars while providing a perfect setting for out-of-town visitors.”

The two events have brought in nearly 2,000 out-of-town guests and an estimated $2 million in external revenue to downtown El Paso.

Since the inaugural season the Chihuahuas have welcomed more than three and a half million guests through the Southwest University Park gates paving the way for the acquisition of a United Soccer League team – the El Paso Locomotive FC.

More importantly, the ballpark has become a showcase venue in El Paso, hosting non-sporting events such as the Way Out West Country Music Festival, the Michelob Ultra El Paso Marathon and the El Paso Strong city-wide celebration.

The scale of such events as the Innovators Summit and the Way Out West Festival continue to have an impact on the City of El Paso.

“With the Chihuahuas and Locomotive entering their seventh and second seasons, respectively, it is certain Southwest University Park will continue to thrive and serve as a gathering place for the community,” officials added.

The summit begins Monday, Sept. 23 and concludes on Thursday, Sept. 26.

The Chihuahuas set a franchise record Friday night – allowing 11 home runs to the Las Vegas Aviators in their 20-11 loss.

The game is the first in a three-game weekend series that is equally important to both teams. The Chihuahuas still lead the Pacific Coast League-Pacific Southern Division in front of their nearest competitor, you guessed it: Las Vegas.

The story of this game can be told with the pitching. Both teams had less-than-sparkling pitching through the first four innings.

El Paso had the edge with 11 runs by the end of the 3rd inning, but the Aviators never quit landing balls over the fence.

Las Vegas scored at least one run in every inning but the 2nd. Four Aviators had a multi-home run game: catcher Sean Murphy (3 HR), shortstop Jorge Mateo (2 HR), outfielder Dustin Fowler (2 HR), and outfielder Mark Payton (2 HR).

In contrast, the Dogs’ five pitchers were bombed with 22 runs and 22 hits. Starter Emmanuel  Ramirez (14.59 ERA), alone, went 4 innings and was charged with 11 hits, nine runs and four home runs.

The winning pitcher was AJ Puk (2-0, 0.00 ERA), the losing pitcher was Steven Wilson (0-1, 3.54 ERA) and there were 7,949 fans who saw the Dogs get a whoopin’ at Southwest University Ballpark.

Next Game: Saturday, 7:05 pm at Southwest University Park. Las Vegas RHP Parker Dunshee (2-4, 6.49) vs. El Paso LHP Jerry Keel (6-6, 7.50). The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.

Las Vegas 20 El Paso 11 – Friday  |  Box Score  |  Team Records: Las Vegas (60-45), El Paso (63-42)

WP: Puk (2-0)  |  LP: Wilson (0-1)  |  S: None  |  Time: 3:24  |  Attn: 7,949

Las Vegas designated hitter Seth Brown hit two home runs in the Aviators’ 9-6 win over the El Paso Chihuahuas Tuesday night at Las Vegas Ballpark.

It was Brown’s third multi-homer game of the season.

The loss dropped El Paso’s first place lead in the Southern Division to two games, with five head-to-head matchups between the two teams over the next five nights.

The Aviators and Chihuahuas are the top two teams in the Pacific Coast League in both runs and hits.

Josh Naylor went 4-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI in the loss for El Paso. Tuesday was the Chihuahuas’ first loss at Las Vegas Ballpark in six games this season.

Next Game: Wednesday, 8:05 pm at Las Vegas Ballpark. El Paso LHP Dillon Overton (5-4, 6.78) vs. Las Vegas LHP Sean Manaea (MLB rehab). The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.

Las Vegas 9 El Paso 6 – Tuesday  |  Box Score  |  Team Records: El Paso (61-41), Las Vegas (59-43)

WP: Puk (1-0)  |  LP: Mitchell (0-2)  |  S: Wendelken (1)  |  Time: 3:18  |  Attn: 7,998

The El Paso Chihuahuas put two runners on base in the top of the ninth inning but lost to the Albuquerque Isotopes 8-7 Sunday night at Isotopes Park.

The loss snapped El Paso’s four-game winning streak.

Ty France went 3-for-4 with a walk and reached base at least three times in all three games of the series in Albuquerque. Josh Naylor went 2-for-5 with an RBI in his first game since being optioned by San Diego.

Jerry Keel hit an RBI single in the sixth inning, the second Chihuahuas’ pitcher to record an RBI hit in the last four games, as Dillon Overton did the same Thursday in Reno.

Sunday was the final meeting of the season between the two teams, with Albuquerque winning nine of the 16 matchups.

The Chihuahuas do not play on Monday.

Next Game: Tuesday, 8:05 pm at Las Vegas Ballpark. El Paso RHP Bryan Mitchell (0-1, 13.50) vs. Las Vegas RHP Tanner Anderson (6-4, 5.54). The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.

Albuquerque 8 El Paso 7 – Sunday |  Box Score  |  Team Records: El Paso (61-40), Albuquerque (44-57)

WP: Rusin (1-1)  |  LP: Keel (6-6)  |  S: Tinoco (1)  |  Time: 2:58  |  Attn: 8,070

The El Paso Chihuahuas came back late to beat the Albuquerque Isotopes 7-5 Friday to take their third consecutive game.

Friday’s game featured five different lead changes. El Paso hit four home runs for the second consecutive game.

Seth Mejias-Brean and Esteban Quiroz hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning, one night after Ty France and Jose Pirela did the same thing in Reno.

Relievers Kazuhisa Makita and Trevor Megill both had two-inning, scoreless, hitless outings to close the game.

The Chihuahuas are now 6-8 vs. Albuquerque this season with two to play in the head-to-head series.

The Chihuahuas have a three-game lead on second place Las Vegas in the Southern Division with 41 games to play.

Next Game: Saturday, 6:35 pm at Isotopes Park. El Paso RHP Emmanuel Ramirez (0-1, 7.20) vs. Albuquerque RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (4-5, 5.89).

The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.

El Paso 7 Albuquerque 5 – Friday  |  Box Score  |  Team Records: El Paso (60-39), Albuquerque (43-56)

WP: Makita (3-0)  |  LP: Musgrave (0-1)  |  S: Megill (2)  |  Time: 3:03  |  Attn: 12,017

The El Paso Chihuahuas hit four home runs in their 7-4 win over the Reno Aces Thursday night at Greater Nevada Field.

El Paso now has 201 homers and is the only professional baseball team with 200 or more home runs in 2019.

Jose Pirela hit his 18^th home run of the season Thursday and hit five homers in seven games vs. Reno this season.

Ty France and Pirela hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning, El Paso’s first set of back-to-back homers since Jason Vosler and Matthew Batten on July 1^st against Fresno.

Luis Urias went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in his first game since July 12^th.

Dillon Overton allowed two runs in five innings to get the win and has surrendered only two runs in 10 innings over his last two starts.

The Chihuahuas split the four-game series and finished the season series with Reno with a 12-4 record against the Aces.

Next Game: Friday, 6:35 pm at Isotopes Park. El Paso LHP Dietrich Enns (9-6, 5.84) vs. Albuquerque LHP Pat Dean (3-9, 7.24). The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.

El Paso 7 Reno 4 – Thursday  |  Box Score  |  Team Records: El Paso (59-39), Reno (42-56)

WP: Overton (5-4)  |  LP: Widener (6-6)  |  S: Yardley (7)  |  Time: 3:19  |  Attn: 5,004

Matthew Batten hit a second-inning grand slam in the El Paso Chihuahuas’ 8-6 win over the Salt Lake Bees Saturday night at Smith’s Ballpark.

Batten had three hits and seven RBIs in the win, one RBI short of the Chihuahuas’ single-game record, also set in Salt Lake by Austin Hedges on July 10, 2016.

Dietrich Enns got the win for the second straight start Saturday and has allowed only six earned runs in his last 16.2 innings.

Brad Wieck picked up his second save in as many games after arriving from San Diego.

Batten’s grand slam was El Paso’s fourth of the season.

The Chihuahuas have won two of the three games in Salt Lake and three of their last four games overall.

Next Game: Sunday, 1:05 pm at Smith’s Ballpark. El Paso RHP Tyler Higgins (3-0, 3.38) vs. Salt Lake RHP Matt Harvey (MLB rehab). The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.

El Paso 8 Salt Lake 6 – Saturday  |  Box Score  |  Team Records: El Paso (54-34), Salt Lake (39-49)

WP: Enns (9-5)  |  LP: Bridwell (4-4)  |  S: Wieck (2)  |  Time: 3:38  |  Attn: 10,432

The El Paso Museum of History (EPMH) invites the public to celebrate the opening of its newest exhibition, Bases Loaded: El Paso and Beyond.

“Baseball, like apple pie, is one of those ideas that is inseparable from the idea of America,” said El Paso Museum of History Director Dr. Vladimir von Tsurikov. “Here at the Museum, we’re excited to take that national mythos and examine it from the unique El Paso perspective.”

The exhibit, which opens at 6:30 p.m., July 11., celebrates the local and national history of baseball starting with its pre-Civil War origins to the Chihuahuas arriving in El Paso.

In addition to tracing the evolution of baseball’s legacy as a national pastime, the exhibit also highlights baseball’s intersections with race, like the sport’s role in Mexico and key events in breaking the color barrier.

“As visitors move through the exhibit, they are invited to explore how different groups across the United States have shaped baseball’s beginnings, rise, and continued popularity,” museum officials shared. “Interactive displays, like a walkable baseball diamond and Chihuahuas fan photo booth, transform the space into an immersive historical experience.”

Materials for the exhibit have been sourced from across El Paso’s enthusiastic baseball community.

Many of the artifacts for Bases Loaded have been provided by Fernando Grado, an El Paso native and baseball enthusiast. His personal collection, which he began in his youth, includes local memorabilia from the Browns and Diablos as well as collectibles from eminent players like Jackie Robinson and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson.

Also on display are items borrowed from the El Paso Chihuahuas’ own archive.

The exhibit runs through January 2020 and is free and open to the public.

The Salt Lake Bees scored six runs in the first two innings and beat the El Paso Chihuahuas 9-6 Thursday night at Smith’s Ballpark.

The Chihuahuas hit four home runs in the loss, including the 22^nd of the season by Michael Gettys. It was his eighth homer in his last 16 games.

The Chihuahuas trailed 6-1 early and pushed the score within one to 7-6 before Salt Lake’s late tallies.

Boog Powell, Seth Mejias-Brean and Jose Pirela also homered for El Paso.

The Chihuahuas are now 4-2 all-time on the Fourth of July and have played four of their six Independence Day games at Salt Lake.

There was a one hour and 16 minute rain delay before the game.

Next Game: Friday, 6:35 pm at Smith’s Ballpark. El Paso LHP Dillon Overton (3-4, 7.31) vs. Salt Lake RHP J.C. Ramirez (MLB rehab). The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.

Salt Lake 9 El Paso 6 – Thursday  |  Box Score  |  Team Records: El Paso (52-34), Salt Lake (39-47)

WP: Peters (3-1)  |  LP: Keel (6-3)  |  S: Jewell (6)  |  Time: 2:42 (1:26 delay)  |  Attn: 14,104

The El Paso Chihuahuas trailed 4-3 in the second inning Wednesday before scoring five unanswered runs to come back and beat the Fresno Grizzlies 8-4.

Michael Gettys’ three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, his team-leading 21^st homer of the season, provided late insurance for El Paso.

San Diego Padres outfielder Travis Jankowski reached base three times and stole a base in his second MLB injury rehab game.

Kazuhisa Makita struck out five in three scoreless relief innings in his first Triple-A game of the season. The Chihuahuas bullpen has allowed only one earned run in their last 13 outings.

The Chihuahuas have hit 182 home runs this season, the highest single-season total in team history.  The Chihuahuas won two of the five games against Fresno and five of the nine games on their homestand.

Next Game: Thursday, 6:35 pm at Smith’s Ballpark. El Paso LHP Jerry Keel (6-2, 6.42) vs. Salt Lake LHP Dillon Peters (2-1, 4.89). The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.

El Paso 8 Fresno 4 – Wednesday  |  Box Score  |  Team Records: Fresno (44-42), El Paso (52-33)

WP: Makita (1-0)  |  LP: Ross (2-1)  |  S: Yardley (5)  |  Time: 3:02  |  Attn: 9,945

Gallery by Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta – Chief Photographer – El Paso Herald Post

Tuesday night’s Chihuahuas game against the Fresno Grizzlies could have started in the 4th inning when they were tied at 6 – and it could have ended soon after.

But the game had to go the required distance, and the Grizzlies piled up five more runs by the 6th inning to thrash the Dogs 11-9. .

The Chihuahuas had two chances late in the game to catch up to the Grizzlies with the bases loaded. Michael Gettys (.248 BA),  who has 20 home runs this season, was fanned in the 8th inning.

Seth Mejias-Brean came up as a pinch hitter in the 9th as the Dogs’ last hope. The bases loaded on two outs and by that time, the score was 11-9 Fresno.

The pitch flew out of the closer’s hand and Mejias-Brean attacked it with a ferocious swing that sounded like it missed the barrel of the bat and floated to to shallow center field where a Grizzly claw was waiting.

With the loss, the Chihuahuas are trailing the five-game series with the Grizzlies 3-1,  but have a chance to at least draw closer with a win in the last game Wednesday.

Tuesday’s loss had little effect on the standings: the Dogs are still in top of the Pacific Coast League Pacific Southern Division with a 51-33 record.

The winning pitcher was Erick Fedde (12.60 ERA, 1-1). The losing pitcher was Kyle McGrath (8.23 ERA, 3-3). There were 6,845 at Southwest University Ballpark.

Next Game: Wednesday, 7:05 pm at Southwest University Park. Fresno RHP Joe Ross (2-0, 3.68) vs. El Paso LHP Paco Rodriguez (3-1, 3.73). The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.

Fresno 11 El Paso 9 – Tuesday  |  Box Score  |  Team Records: Fresno (44-41), El Paso (51-33)

WP: Fedde (1-1)  |  LP: McGrath (3-3)  |  S: Bacus (6)  |  Time: 3:14  |  Attn: 6,845

Author: Larry Monarrez  |  Gallery: Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta – Chief Photographer – El Paso Herald Post

The home-run hitting leaders of the PCL finally came back to Southwest University Park on Monday after a two-game skid and unloaded four long balls on the Fresno Grizzlies in their 11-1 win.

The Chihuahuas dropped the first two games of the series against Fresno but still sit atop the PCL- Pacific Southern Division and lead the league in home runs (178) and total bases (1,618).

The Dogs started declawing the Grizzlies in the 3rd inning with Jose Pirela (.344 BA)  two-RBI triple that rolled to the left field wall. Pirela caught a lift home on the first of Aderlin Rodriguez’s home runs – it was an impressive and rarely seen arching ball that flew to the deepest part of center field and flew over the 50-foot green wall marked “406.” El Paso scored four on two swings.

El Paso followed up in the 4th inning with back-to-back homers by infielder Jason Vosler (.290 BA) and outfielder Matthew Batten (.317 BA). Vosler’s homer was tall and sailed in the that winds headed in the same direction.

The ball landed within a few feet of a brand new Mustang on display before bouncing out to Santa Fe Avenue.

Following the back-to-back dingers, catcher Webster Rivas (.243 BA) slammed a liner to the “406” in center field that looked like the third “back” but it was caught over-the-shoulder style by the speedy Fresno center fielder, El Paso 6-0.

El Paso continued to sprinkle in runs through the 8th inning, including the second homer by Rodriguez (.278 BA) that flew over the Peter Piper Pizza Porch in left field and landed somewhere in the alley.

The Dogs’ pitching deserves a lot of credit for the win.

Starter Dietrich Enns went more than six innings striking out 8, walking 4, and giving up no runs. The only Fresno run made blemished the scoreboard in the 8th inning from a couple of back-to-back doubles off a reliever.

The winning pitcher was Enns (8-5, 5.32 ERA). The losing pitcher was Ben Braymer (0-1, 9.35 ERA). There were 7,334 fans at Southwest University Ballpark.

Next Game: Tuesday, 7:05 pm at Southwest University Park. Fresno RHP Erick Fedde (0-1, 15.75) vs. El Paso LHP Kyle McGrath (3-2, 7.19). The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.

El Paso 11 Fresno 1 – Monday  |  Box Score  |  Team Records: Fresno (43-41), El Paso (51-32)

WP: Enns (8-5)  |  LP: Braymer (0-1)  |  S: None  |  Time: 2:48  |  Attn: 7,334