Jose Pirela is stating his case for a return to San Diego.
The 29-year-old Venezuelan hit his second homer, doubled and drove in three runs, leading Triple-A El Paso to a 12-4 win over host Reno on Sunday afternoon.
The home run was the second for Pirela, who remains on the Padres’ 40-man roster. He has hit in six straight games and his multiple hits in his last four, lifting his batting line to .364/.442/.614 through his first 11 games in the Pacific Coast League.
Pirela had help Sunday.
Josh Naylor (.