Padres minors: A changeup for El Paso rotation, Missions snap 10-game skid

JP Sears could be headed back to San Diego.

The left-hander had been scheduled to start Sunday for Triple-A El Paso, but that duty went instead to left-hander Kyle Hart, who threw an inning before giving way to left-hander Omar Cruz in the Chihuahuas’ 4-2 win at Reno.

Hart (4.40 ERA) walked two and allowed a run in his inning of work.

Cruz (4.28 ERA) walked five but struck out four and did not allow a hit in four scoreless innings.

With Michael King on the injured list and Randy Vásquez optioned after bulk relief work on Friday, the Padres have a TBA listed for Wednesday’s start.

Acquired at the deadline with Mason Miller, Sears allowed five runs in five innings at Arizona in his Padres debut and then two runs in five innings on Aug. 12 in his only start so far for Triple-A El Paso.

Right-hander Matt Waldron might also be an option for Wednesday’s TBA as he last pitched on Aug. 15 (5 IP, 5 ER), but he also has a 17.61 ERA in three starts in August.

Right-hander Sean Reynolds (3.54 ERA) saved his fourth game with a scoreless ninth after right-hander Raul Brito (6-2, 5.87 ERA) threw a scoreless 1⅓ innings.

Second baseman Nate Mondou (.814 OPS) drove in three runs on his third homer.

Center fielder Clay Dungan (.797 OPS) doubled in a run and designated hitter Luis Campusano (1.055 OPS) went 1-for-4 with a run scored.

El Paso is 67-52.

Sunday’s scoreboard

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (56-58)

Missions 8, Tulsa 1: RHP Victor Lizarraga (3-9, 6.72 ERA) walked five but twirled 6⅔ no-hit innings in the win as the Missions snapped a 10-game skid. Lizarraga struck out four. DH Eli Wilson (.521 OPS) went 1-for-3 with his first homer, three RBIS and tow runs scored. SS Francisco Acuña (.723 OPS) went 1-for-3 with three RBIs and a walk.

HIGH SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (52-61)

W.Michigan 5, TinCaps 0: RHP Will Varmette (1-4, 8.87 ERA) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks in 2⅔ innings in the loss. Fort Wayne’s only hits were singles from 1B Jack Costello (.612 OPS) and CF Kai Roberts (.584 OPS).

LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (51-63)

San Jose 7, Storm 6: 2B Dylan Grego (.666 OPS) drove in two runs on two hits, including a double. 1B Kerrington Cross (.664 OPS) went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored. CF Alex McCoy (.959 OPS) went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. RHP Abraham Parra (3-4, 5.21 ERA) allowed four runs in 4⅓ innings in relief.