JP Sears struck out five but lasted just four innings in Triple-A El Paso’s 4-0 loss on Saturday to visiting Albuquerque.

Sears allowed three runs — two earned — on five hits, a walk and a hit batter. He threw 54 of his 85 pitches for strikes.

Sears was in competition for a spot in the back of the rotation deep into camp. He has a 4.73 ERA in three starts since he was optioned to El Paso.

Left-hander Yuki Matsui struck out a batter and allowed a run on two hits in an inning in continuing his rehab assignment. Matsui’s groin strain not only cost him Cactus League games, it barred him from pitching for Japan in the World Baseball Classic. He appeared in three games for El Paso.

Infielder Sung-Mun Song (oblique) did not start but entered the game as a pinch-runner.

Three of El Paso’s four hits were doubles from center fielder Jase Bowen (.971 OPS), right fielder Nick Schnell (.629 OPS) and catcher Anthony Vilar (.823 OPS).

El Paso is 6-8.

 

Saturday’s scoreboard

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (2-6)

Missions 4, Corpus Christi 3 (10): A single from RF Braedon Karpathos (.469 OPS) won it in extra innings. C Ethan Salas (.541 OPS) went 2-for-4 with an RBI. 1B Romeo Sanabria (.570 OPS) and 3B Luis Verdugo (1.074 OPS) each had a double. LHP Harry Gustin (1.50 ERA) struck out two over two shutout innings in relief. RHP Manuel Castro (1-0, 6.75 ERA) turned in a scoreless 10th.

 

HIGH SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (2-6)

Lansing 12, TinCaps 4: LHP Jamie Hitt (0-1, 0.00 ERA) struck out three but allowed three unearned runs in four innings in the loss. RHP Will Varmette (50.63 ERA) allowed seven runs in 1⅓ innings. DH Alex McCoy (.888 OPS) and LF Jake Cunningham (.946 OPS) both hit their first homers. Cunningham and CF Kasen Wells (.747 OPS) both had two hits.

 

LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (3-5)

Rancho Cucamonga 5, Storm 0: RHP Tyler Schmitt (0-1, 4.50 ERA) struck out five but allowed a run on two hits and three walks in 2⅔ innings in the loss. LHP Joseph Herrera (3.00 ERA) struck out five and allowed a run in 3⅓ innings in relief. CF Ryan Wideman (.873 OPS) went 2-for-4 with a triple. RF George Bilecki (.901 OPS) went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk. SS Jorge Quintana (.448 OPS) went 2-for-4.

 

Farm system leaders

(Through Friday; Minimum 14 plate appearances, 5 innings)

AVG: .476 – OF Conner Westenburg (A)
OBP: .563 – C Victor Duarte (A)
SLG: .654 – 3B Marcos Castañon (AAA)
HRs: 3 – Castañon, OF Jase Bowen (AAA)
RBIs: 8 – Castañon, Bowen, C Rodolfo Duran (AAA), INF Sung-Mun Song (8)
SBs: 4 – OF Ryan Wideman (A), SS Mason McCoy (AAA)
Wins: 1 – Several tied
ERA: 0.00 – Several tied
Ks: 12 – RHP Matt Waldron (AAA)
WHIP: 0.50 – Evan Fitterer (AAA)
K/BB: 12.0 – Waldron
Saves: 2 – RHP Ethan Long (A)