Padres minors: Blake Hunt homers for El Paso; Kerrington Cross stays hot in Storm loss
Luis Campusano has not yet begun a rehab assignment. Freddy Fermin is not hitting. Ethan Salas is gathering momentum at Double-A San Antonio after missing most of last season.
Perhaps Blake Hunt will get a look before long.
The 27-year-old homered in Triple-A El Paso's 15-8 loss to visiting Sugar Land in his first game of the year in the Pacific Coast League.
Originally drafted by the Padres and traded away to the Rays in the Blake Snell trade, Hunt signed a minor league deal with the Padres in December only to lose most of spring training to an oblique injury.
Hunt homered twice in seven rehab games in the Arizona Complex League (.316/.500/.632) and went 2-for-4 while batting in the eight-hole on Wednesday.
First baseman Nick Solak (.947 OPS) hit his eighth homer and drove in four runs on four hits. Second baseman Marcos Castañon (.848 OPS) hit his seventh homer and designated hitter Pablo Reyes (1.008 OPS) hit his sixth homer.
Right-hander Evan Fitterer (1-2, 3.80 ERA) allowed six runs in 3⅓ innings in the start.
Right-hander Alek Jacob (5.32 ERA) allowed two runs in an inning of work and right-hander Garrett Hawkins (6.65 ERA) walked three while allowing three runs in one-third of an inning.
El Paso is 25-34.
Wednesday's scoreboard
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (.730 OPS)
Wichita 7, Missions 6: 1B Romeo Sanabria (.730 OPS) went 2-for-5 with his fifth homer, a double and three RBIs. C Chris Sargent (.463 OPS) hit his first homer. DH Ethan Salas (.849 OPS) went 0-for-3 with two walks. 2B Carson Tucker (.712 OPS) doubled twice and scored twice. RHP Victor Lizarraga (6.70 ERA) walked six and allowed five runs in 2⅓ innings in the start.
HIGH SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (24-29)
Lake County 17, TinCaps 7: RHP Maikel Miralles (10.27 ERA) allowed four runs in 1⅔ innings in the start and RHP Isaiah Lowe (1-4, 6.34 ERA) allowed five runs - two earned - in two innings to take the loss in relief. RF Kavares Tears (.740 OPS) drove in three runs on his fourth homer. CF Kasen Wells (.724 OPS) and C Lamar King Jr. (.760 OPS) both had two hits.
LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (30-23)
Fresno 6, Storm 5: 1B Kerrington Cross (1.047 OPS) hit his seventh homer, LF Qrey Lott (.884 OPS) hit his fourth and RF George Bilecki (.696 OPS) hit his second. CF Ryan Wideman (.877 OPS went 2-for-4 with a double. RHP Jesus A. Castro (3.05 ERA) struck out five over five shutout innings in the start.
ROOKIE ACL PADRES (11-12)
Mariners 4, Padres 3 (7): RHP Cameron Nohos (1-3, 3.86 ERA) struck out eight and allowed two runs - one earned - in four innings in the loss. 3B Santiago Vargas (.774 OPS) went 2-for-3 with his second homer.
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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 5:39 AM.