Hunter Renfroe returns to El Paso but Chihuahuas fall to Fresno Thursday

Hunter Renfroe recorded an RBI double in his first rehab game with the Chihuahuas, but it wasn’t enough as Fresno seized a 9-7 win Thursday night at Southwest University Park.

Renfroe, a former PCL MVP, has been battling elbow inflammation this year and has been sent back to El Paso as part of his rehab. It’s unknown when he will rejoin the Padres.

Fresno jumped out to a 4-0 lead after just three innings, but El Paso managed to eventually tie the game at six by the sixth inning.

Renfroe’s double in the bottom of the sixth cut it to a 6-3 game. Shane Peterson then added an RBI double of his own later inning to cut it to a two-run game. Allen Craig would eventually tie it on a two-run home run.

However, Fresno broke the 6-6 deadlock in the top of the eighth on an RBI groundout. They later added two solo home runs in the ninth to make it a 9-6 game.

El Paso was able to get one run back in the bottom of the ninth, but Fresno managed to hang on for a 9-7 victory.

The two teams will meet again Friday at 7:05 p.m.

The Chihuahuas fell to 20-21 on the season with the loss while the Grizzlies ran their record to 25-16.