Padres minors: Kash Mayfield cruising with TinCaps, JP Sears struggling with El Paso

Kash Mayfield stayed hot to start 2026.

The 21-year-old left-hander struck out eight and allowed just one hit over five shutout innings in high Single-A Fort Wayne's 1-0 win at Lake County as part of a doubleheader on Friday.

The Padres' first-rounder in 2024 has allowed just the one hit in 12 innings across his first three starts of the season. He also has yet to allow a run while striking out 16 against five walks.

Mayfield posted a 2.97 ERA in 19 starts last year at low Single-A Lake Elsinore to start his career and has a 2.48 in 72 ⅔ innings so far as a pro.

Right-hander Clay Edmondson (1.50 ERA) threw the final two innings of the seven-inning game for his second save.

Third baseman Rosman Verdugo (.481 OPS) and left fielder Jake Cunningham (1.167 OPS) both had two hits.

In the other end of a doubleheader, Fort Wayne dropped a 4-3 decision. Right-hander Isaiah Lowe (4.50 ERA) struck out five and allowed one run on three hits and three walks in three innings in the start.

Center fielder Kasen Wells (.765 OPS) went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Left fielder Alex McCoy (.966 OPS) and catcher Lamar King Jr. (.640 OPS) both singled in runs.

Fort Wayne is 5-8.

Friday's scoreboard

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (7-12)

Round Rock 9, Chihuahuas 7: LHP JP Sears (7.56 ERA) walked five and allowed seven runs on eight hits in 3⅓ innings. He struck out four. RHP Garrett Hawkins (2.84 ERA) walked three while allowing a run in the eighth. RF Nick Schnell (.759 OPS) drove in four runs on his first two homers of the season. SS Mason McCoy (.803 OPS) hit his fourth homer and swiped his fifth base. 2B Clay Dungan (.612 OPS) hit his second homer.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (4-9)

Midland 9, Missions 3: RHP Ian Koenig (0-2, 6.46 ERA) allowed six runs in 5⅔ innings in the loss. 1B Romeo Sanabria (.673 OPS) went 2-for-4 with his second homer. C Chris Sargent (.853 OPS) hit his first homer. SS Carson Tucker (.944 OPS) went 2-for-4.

LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (6-7)

Storm 6, Stockton 3: LHP Kruz Schoolcraft (20.77 ERA) struck out three and allowed two runs - one earned - on four hits and two walks in three innings in the start. The rest of the staff combined for six shutout innings, including a scoreless ninth from RHP Ethan Long (1.50 ERA) for his third save. 1B Luke Cantwell (.839 OPS) went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. 2B Justin DeCriscio (1.039 OPS) went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 5:18 AM.