Tulsa Drillers vs. San Antonio Missions (San Diego) 0
The Drillers had a combined shutout for Game 1 in 2023. But that was not the story. Landon Knack started and dominated for 4.0 scoreless innings. He allowed 2 hits and zero walks, with 1 K. After the 4.0 IP, Knack had thrown only 54 pitches (37 strikes) and was pulled. This was a common occurrence in previous years. I know it was the first game of the year, but he sure looked as if he could go at least 1 more inning. You are never going to convince that pitchers do not want the win.
Oh well, just bring in Emmet Sheehan. All he did was go 5.0 scoreless/hitless innings with 8 strikeouts and NO BB. His only blemish was a HBP in the 9th. He faced 16 batters in 5.0 IP, throwing 63 pitches (45 strikes).
The Drillers also got some offense. In the third, Kody Hoese singled to open the inning, and Yusniel Diaz in his first AB back in the LAD system hit a 2-run HR. Jonny DeLuca followed Diaz’s HR with a solo shot of his own.
The Drillers scored 4 in the 7th with one hit. Diaz singled to open the innings. DeLuca was HBP, and Jorbit Vivas walked to load the bases. After a pitching change, Diaz scored on a WP. Eddys Leonard then walked to again load the bases. DeLuca scored on an Andy Pages sac fly, and Vivas and Leonard moved up to 2nd and 3rd. Vivas scored on the 2nd WP of the inning, and Leonard moved to 3rd. Leonard scored on a Brandon Lewis ground out.
Every Tulsa batter reached base. 7 of the 9 had hits. Leonard had 3 BBs. Diego Cartaya made his AA debut, and went 0-3, but reached when he was HBP.
Tulsa 0-6 WRISP.
- Jonny DeLuca – 2 hits (double, HR)
- Kody Hoese – 2 hits
- Yusniel Diaz – 2 hits (HR)
Good start for the Drillers.
OKC Dodgers 5 vs Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland) 4
OKC won their 5th game in a row, again in a come from behind game. OKC was down 4-2 in the 7th, and scored 1 in the 7th and 2 in the 9th for the win.
OKC opened the scoring in the 1st. Michael Busch singled, and with 2 outs, Steven Duggar drew a walk. Ryan Ward continued with his XBH barrage with a 2-out 2-run double.
OKC starting pitcher, Matt Andriese, was touched up for three runs in the 2nd. Cody Thomas doubled and moved to third on a JJ Bleday single. Both runners score on a Jordan Diaz double, who moved to 3B on LF Ben DeLuzio’s throwing error. Diaz scored on a ground out.
In the 5th, Trenton Brooks homered for a Las Vegas 4-2 lead, A two out single sent Andriese to the showers. Justin Hagenman retired the final out of the 5th. Hagenman pitched 2 more perfect innings to keep the game close.
In the 7th, Drew Avans singled and moved to 2nd on a Michael Busch fly out. Avans moved to third on a WP and scored on a Luke Williams sac fly.
OKC worked a 2-out 2-run 9th inning to take a 5-4 lead. With 2 outs, Michael Busch was HBP, Luke Williams doubled Busch to third, and Steven Duggar singled both runners home for the lead.
Bryan Hudson pitched two scoreless innings for the win. He allowed two hits and two Ks.
OKC was 2-13 WRISP.
- Michael Busch – 2 hits
- Luke Williams – 3 hits (2 doubles).
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 3 vs Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) 0
The Quakes got the 2nd combined shutout for the Dodger affiliates. Maddux Bruns started for the Quakes and pitched the best game of his professional career. In 4.0 IP, Bruns allowed 3 hits, but only 2 walks. He also had 7 Ks. But the best news was the 2 walks in 4.0 IP. He was efficient with 57 pitches (37 strikes).
Compare that to Griffin Canning’s 92 pitches in 5.0 IP.
Chris Campos pitched the next 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits with 0 walks and 6 strikeouts and got the win. Lucas Wepf pitched the final two scoreless innings to get the save.
Rancho scored the first run in the first inning. Rayne Doncon drew a 1-out BB, stole second, and scored on a 2-out Thayron Liranzo single.
In the third, Jose Izarra singled and moved to second on an error. He scored on a Chris Newell double.
Game 1’s hitting star, Liranzo, homered with one out in the 8th to close out the scoring.
Rancho was 2-12 WRISP.
- Dayton Dooney – 2 hits (double)
- Thayron Liranzo – 2 hits (HR)
- Jose Izarra – 2 hits (double).
