PADRES WANT GORE TO BUILD, GAIN COMMAND

Mackenzie Gore yelled and pumped his fist after he stalked off Triple-a El Paso’s mound May 13 with a seventh straight out to put a bow on six quality innings in his Southwest University Park debut. The 22-year-old left-hander can’t remember a reaction like that in any of the six straight times — yes, six! — he faced the Dodgers’ Triple-a team at this year’s alternate site in Peoria, Ariz., or in last year’s intra-squad work at the alternate site at USD.

But he can’t say for certain.

“I’ve always been a fiery guy,” Gore said in a Monday afternoon video conference, his first availability to the El Paso media market. “… Not that I can remember, but I’m not going to promise you that.”

Gore’s third start with El Paso on Tuesday (32⁄3 IP, 5 ER) was even more uneven than the first, when he allowed three runs in four innings. In the middle start, however, the Padres’ 2017 first-rounder had allowed three runs in three innings before settling into a groove that carried him through his first quality start since his final appearance in the high Single-a California League in July 2019.

The end arrived after Gore struck out the side to end the sixth inning, just the sort of rebound that was not allowed to occur during the pseudo-games that were staged at the alternate site last year.

“That’s just how the game goes, especially as a starting pitcher,” Gore said. “You can’t (judge) so much after two-plus innings. It’s a long game. We did a great job of battling back. … Just keep attacking guys and competing and good things will happen.”

That’s essentially the plan for Gore as the Padres turn him loose in the new Triple-a West.

As the season stretches from 60 to 162 games, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario in which a healthy Gore is not called upon to provide innings, although he needs to pitch well and establish a foundation after last throwing 101 innings in 2019.

Gore did not exactly wow with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP in his second stay in big-league spring training and has a 7.24 ERA through his first three starts with El Paso, but the belief in arguably the top pitching prospect in the game is fully unwavering.

The Padres’ instructions were clear.

“We needed to build up some,” Gore said. “Obviously, the command needed to be cleaned up some. Really get in a routine, get going and get into a good rhythm.”

A rough return

Anderson Espinoza was back on the mound Friday night at low Single-a Fort Wayne.

It did not go well.

The 23-year-old righthander allowed five runs on five hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning in the Tincaps’ 7-1 loss to Lansing.

Espinoza (0-1, 16.88) had thrown two scoreless innings in his 2021 debut, but was scratched from the following week’s start for an undisclosed reason. He resumed throwing late last week and never went on the injured list but on Friday needed 35 pitches (24 strikes) to record two outs in his first start since May 6.

His fastball reportedly sat 95-96 mph.

It was Espinoza’s second start since returning from back-to-back Tommy John surgeries that had sidelined him since 2016.

Around the farm

El Paso (AAA): C Luis Campusano is hitting .224/ .328/.347 with one homer and five RBIS in his first 13 games in Triple-a. While he has played in 12 games in the majors, he is essentially jumping from high Single-a in 2019 to El Paso. … RHP Parker Markel (1.74 ERA) leads the Chihuahuas with 16 strikeouts in 101⁄3 innings in relief.

San Antonio (AA): RHP Pedro Avila (4.76 ERA) has allowed three runs in his first 52⁄3 innings in relief. He has struck out six, walked two and hit two batters. … In his third Double-a stint, 3B/1B Kyle Overstreet is hitting .368/.410/.509 with one homer and 10 RBIS in 14 games.

Lake Elsinore (A+): OF Robert Hassell III has reached base in 15 straight games. He was out of the lineup on Friday. He entered the weekend hitting .288/.419/.508 with two homers, 13 RBIS and five steals.

Fort Wayne (A): OF Agustin Ruiz tallied eight of his team-leading 15 RBIS on Tuesday, tying a franchise record. He homered twice in that game. The 21-year-old Ruiz is hitting .188/.298/.438 to start the year.