Scholtens looks sharp, helps Chihuahuas stifle Rainiers 5-1 on Mothers’ Day

TACOMA, Washington - Jesse Scholtens' second go-round with the El Paso Chihuahuas is off to a roaring start.

Scholtens struck out six over 5 innings, including two of super-prospect Jared Kelenic, and the Chihuahuas even their opening series with the Tacoma Rainiers with a 5-1 win Sunday afternoon.

Patrick Kivelhan hit a two-out, two-RBI single in the 3rd inning to give the Chihuahuas a 2-1 advantage, and Brain O'Grady added a two-run home run in the 9th inning for insurance. But the story was pitching.

Scholtens picked up his first win with El Paso since 2018, using a wipeout curveball that the Rainiers couldn't catch up to.

He got Kelenic, the 4th-best overall prospect in all of baseball, to strike out swinging twice. Kelenic chased at the curve in both the third and fifth innings.

A 2016 draft pick out of Wright State, Scholtens picked up the win.

Kyle McGrath, Aaron Northcraft, and Keegan Thompson pitched a combined 4 innings of scoreless baseball in relief to preserve the win.

The Chihuahuas will go for the series lead on Monday night against the Rainiers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm MT.