Dodgers farm teams divided their Sunday matchups evenly, winning two out of four games.
Standout Performer:
Jose Rodriguez delivered an outstanding performance for Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday, racking up 11 strikeouts, marking the first instance of a double-digit strikeout game in the Dodgers’ minor league circuit this season. The 22-year-old, 6’6″ right-hander from Mexico entered the game in the third inning and proceeded to pitch 4⅔ scoreless innings.
Despite allowing two hits in the first four innings, Rodriguez maintained control until the fifth inning when he walked two batters (while striking out two) before being substituted with two outs. Impressively, he generated 27 swinging strikes throughout the game.
Triple-A Oklahoma City:
Drew Avans, the centerfielder, showcased an impressive performance with three hits, two stolen bases, two RBIs, and one run scored from the leadoff spot, contributing to OKC’s victory against the Sacramento River Cats (Giants).
Additionally, Miguel Vargas stole a base and hit a double, while second baseman Jonathan Araúz doubled, singled, and scored.
Ricky Vanasco, who recently made his major league debut for the Dodgers, encountered a tough outing on Sunday, allowing three runs on three singles and a walk, managing only one out in the eighth inning. However, Michael Petersen and Kevin Gowdy secured the win by pitching the final five outs, with Gowdy recording his fourth save after striking out two batters in the ninth inning.
Double-A Tulsa:
Tulsa suffered a road loss against the Wichita Wind Surge (Twins) despite a strong effort. A pivotal four-run fourth inning broke the tie in favor of Wichita.
Hyun-il Choi, who recently made a spot start for Oklahoma City, returned to Double-A on Sunday. He secured five of his 10 outs via strikeouts but conceded three runs before exiting, with one of the runs scored off a three-run home run against reliever Juan Morillo.
First baseman Brandon Lewis drove in both of Tulsa’s runs with a single in the second inning and a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Lewis also contributed a stolen base, one of three for Tulsa during the game.
Michael Hobbs pitched two scoreless innings in relief, maintaining his flawless ERA for the season, having allowed only one unearned run in 8⅔ innings, with 10 strikeouts and six walks.
High-A Great Lakes:
The Loons suffered a loss to the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers), giving up 14 hits, including three home runs and three doubles. Yunior Garcia managed a two-run home run for Great Lakes in the seventh inning, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.
Low-A Rancho Cucamonga:
In a commanding victory against the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels), Josue De Paula stood out with three extra-base hits for the Quakes. De Paula tripled and scored in the fourth inning, and doubled in both the fifth and eighth innings, significantly contributing to the team’s success.
Before Rodriguez’s stellar pitching performance, Edgardo Henriquez started the game and pitched two scoreless innings, maintaining his streak from his previous three appearances this season following Tommy John surgery rehabilitation last year.
Third baseman Wilman Diaz and first baseman Joe Vetrano also made notable offensive contributions, with Diaz doubling home two runs and Vetrano driving in a pair with his two hits.
Sunday Scores:
– Oklahoma City 5, Sacramento 4
– Wichita 6, Tulsa 2
– West Michigan 8, Great Lakes 4
– Rancho Cucamonga 9, Inland Empire 4
Upcoming Matches:
– Oklahoma City at Albuquerque (Rockies)
– Tulsa vs. Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
– Great Lakes at Fort Wayne (Padres)
– Rancho Cucamonga vs. Lake Elsinore (Padres)
