Hancock pairs with relief for Double-A shutout
Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Right-hander Justin Hancock and two relievers combined on a seven-hit shutout Tuesday night for Double-A San Antonio's 3-0 win at Springfield.
Hancock, 24, who spent much of Spring Training in the Padres' Major League camp, allowed seven hits over seven innings. He had three strikeouts without walking a batter while evening his record at 1-1 and lowering his ERA to 3.60.
Left-handed relievers Chris Nunn and Brandon Alger each had a strikeout in a perfect inning. Alger got his first save of the season.
Left fielder Alberth Martinez homered in three at-bats for the 3-3 Missions. Third baseman Casey McElroy (.462) was 2-for-4 with a RBI.
Fort Wayne TinCaps second baseman Josh VanMeter underwent successful surgery Tuesday morning on the fractured fibula in his left leg suffered Monday night.
The Padres' three other affiliates lost Tuesday night.
Around the farm
Triple-A El Paso (2-4): Reno 4, Chihuahuas 2. Left-hander Jason Lane (1-1, 5.25 ERA) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and one walk in seven innings. Right-handed reliever Kevin Quackenbush struck out five in two perfect innings. Center fielder Abraham Almonte (.391) was 1-for-3 with a double and a walk and scored both El Paso runs.
Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore (3-3): High Desert 1, Storm 0 (11 innings). Right-hander Ryan Butler (0.82 ERA) allowed eight hits and a walk with six strikeouts over six scoreless innings. Right-hander Matthew Shepherd allowed two hits with four strikeouts in two scoreless innings. Right-hander Luis Hernandez took the loss, allowing a run on two hits and a walk while striking out five in two innings. The Storm had only four hits.
Class A Fort Wayne (0-3): Lansing 6, TinCaps 4. Left fielder Edwin Moreno was 2-for-5 with three RBIs. Right fielder Nick Torres (.455) was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Left-handed starter Thomas Dorminy (0-1) allowed six runs on eight hits and three walks with five strikeouts in five innings. Right-hander Jimmi Brasoban allowed a hit and a walk with three walks in three scoreless innings.