Will Middlebrooks and Hunter Renfroe homered late, but Triple-A El Paso lost a 5-4 decision at Fresno on Thursday night to move a game closer to elimination from the Pacific Coast League playoffs.

Renfroe, Jake Gobbert and Jason Hagerty each had two this and Rymer Liriano went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored.

Right-hander Chris Smith allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk in six innings.

Fresno starter Asher Wojciechowski struck out six and allowed two runs in six innings to move his team within one win of moving on to the next round.


El Paso hosts Game 3 tonight at 6:05 p.m. LHP Robbie Erlin will face former No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel.

LOW SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE

West Michigan 2, TinCaps 1: CF Michael Gettys singled in the lone run as the TinCaps were eliminated from the Midwest League playoffs. 2B Josh VanMeter and RF Franmil Reyes each had two hits, wihle RHP Ernesto Montas allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings in the loss as West Michigan completed the sweep.

SHORT-SEASON TRI-CITY