Jack Costello hit six home runs in 25 games to start his pro career last year in the California League.
Perhaps he’s beginning to thaw out in the much-colder Midwest League.
The 23-year-old Costello homered for the second time in three days during a three-hit game in high Single-A Fort Wayne’s 11-3 loss to visiting Lake County on Saturday.
Costello is hitting .208/.250/.340 with nine RBIs after a second-straight multi-hit game, his first since opening day.
Costello drove in 30 runs in 25 games last year for Lake Elsinore, hitting .284/.388/.529 after the Padres selected him in the 10th round out of the University of San Diego.
Shortstop Brandon Butterworth (.766 OPS) went 3-for-4 and first baseman Ethan Long (.536 OPS) went 2-for-4. Second baseman Chase Valentine (.378 OPS) went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
Right-hander Isaiah Lowe (0-2, 15.19 ERA) allowed five runs on three hits and three walks in two-thirds of an inning.
Fort Wayne is 8-6.
Around the farm
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (9-5)
Northwest Arkansas 6, Missions 0 (12): RHP Eduarniel Nuñez (1-1, 4.70 ERA) allowed five runs in the 12th inning. LHP Jackson Wolf (1.29 ERA) struck out five over five scoreless innings. RHP Manuel Castro (0.00 ERA) struck out five over two shutout innings. 1B Romeo Sanabria (.996 OPS) went 3-for-5 with a walk. C Ethan Salas is day-to-day with back spasms. He is hitting .188/.325/.219 through 10 games.
LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (5-9)
Storm 9, Fresno 6: 3B Zach Evans (.901 OPS) went 4-for-4 with his first homer and four RBIs. SS Ryan Jackson (1.025 OPS) doubled twice and drove in two runs. CF Kasen Wells (.710 OPS) hit his first homer. LHP Bodi Rascon (1-1, 4.50 ERA) allowed a run in three innings in relief for the win. RHP Bryan Balzer (7.36 ERA) allowed a run in one-third of an inning in the start.
Note: Triple-A El Paso was rained out and will play a doubleheader on Sunday in Albuquerque.
