So much for billing Austin Hedges’ as a glove-first catcher.
The Padres’ “catcher of the future” homered in his third straight game on Thursday night in Triple-A El Paso’s 10-5 loss to Salt Lake.
The 23-year-old Hedges has homered five times in the last seven days, giving him seven on the season, and his two hits Thursday pushed his average to .366.
Carlos Asuaje (.328) had three hits and Manuel Margot (.296) collected two hits and his 21st steal.
Left-hander Frank Garces (1-3, 4.47) allowed six runs in four innings.
Right-hander Michael Dimock (5.