Luis Patino won a second straight decision Tuesday afternoon, striking out seven over a strong 5 1/3 innings in a 3-1 win that helped high Single-A Lake Elsinore split a doubleheader at home against Rancho Cucamonga.
The 19-year-old Patino has allowed two earned runs or less in eight of his nine starts in the California League, but Tuesday’s effort was his first scoreless effort. He scattered four hits and two walks in lowering his ERA to 3.05.
Ranked No. 45 among MLB.com’s top-100 prospects, Patino has struck out 49 in 41 1/3 innings, walked 22 and held opposing hitters to a .