Andrew Friedman is a master at building rosters for the long season. He is also good at collecting elites…Mookie, Freddie, Shohei, Yamamoto, Will, Glasnow…On Saturday Mookie and Freddie were a combined 0-8 with 2 BBs and 3 Ks. And the oft maligned Miggy Ro and Austin Barnes were a combined 4-8. CT3 is still trying to find that swing.
We knew Mookie was not going to stay as hot as was, and we have been waiting for Shohei to begin to hit like we expected. Shohei is starting to find his rhythm, and when he fully finds his stroke, this high scoring offense will be even more prolific
After 10 games of scoring at least 5 runs, the Dodgers only scored 4. They are obviously in a slump.
The game did not start out as it ended. The Cubs opened with a double, walk, infield single to load the bases. No problem. Yoshi Yamamoto strikes out the next three batters to end the threat without a run.
The Cubs had a double, BB, and a Max Muncy error in the 2nd inning, .and the Cubs loaded the bases for the second time in two innings. Yoshi struck out Cody Bellinger to end the threat again. After two innings, Yamamoto had already thrown 47 pitches.
Yoshi then got on a roll, and for the next three innings, it was 9 up and 9 down on 33 pitches. So after 80 pitches and a 3-0 lead, it was determined that Yamamoto was done for the day.
How many out there were yelling at the screen that Yamamoto had another two innings in him. Wickes threw 100 in 4.2 innings, why not push Yamamoto a bit. In 46 degree weather? This is game 11. It is a long season. Trust your bullpen.
After Christopher Morel opened the inning with a single, Ryan Brasier struck out the next 3 batters.
Joe Kelly entered again for Yamamoto with a lead. This was a different outcome. 9 pitches, 7 strikes, 2 strikeouts, and a soft 6-3 ground out. Kelly is a lightning rod for Dodger fans. When he loses it, he loses it bad. But most of the time, he has been a good pitcher for the Dodgers. Will he be there in October? It’s a long season.
Daniel Hudson followed and allowed a one out infield single to Cody Bellinger. This was Belli’s 2nd infield single. Three pitches later, Hudson induced Morel to hit into an inning ending 5-4-3 double play.
Evan Phillips came in the 9th to close in a non-save situation. This was not Phillips at his best or even his mediocre. He allowed a run to lose the shutout (for whatever that means). He gave up a single, double, fielder’s choice for the run, and a walk (at least to the umpire). There were 2 strikes in the 4 ball count. In the end, he got Ian Happ to whiff at strike 3 on a sweeper at his back foot.
So if it wasn’t Mookie or Freddie providing the offense, how did could they possibly score. In the 5th, Austin Barnes started the inning with a single. Mookie struck out. Ohtani singled. Freddie struck out. Wicks reached 100 pitches, and while he had not yet allowed a run, Craig Counsell felt it was time to pull him.
José Cuas relieved Wicks and promptly issued a BB to Teoscar Hernández to load the bases. Barnes scores on a wild pitch and Ohtani and Hernández moved up 90 feet. In the multiple situations whereby Max Muncy has had runners in scoring position and headed back to the dugout after a K, Max was hoping for a different outcome. And he did. He singled home 2 runs on a 2-1 pitch. It was a 107.4 MPH drive into RF.
3-0 Dodgers.
The 4th LAD run was a result of CT3 reaching 2B on a 2-out throwing error, and Miggy Ro singling him home.
On Sunday, the Dodgers will look to win their 3rd consecutive series. The Dodgers will send Gavin Stone to the bump, and the Cubs will counter with their own JPL FA, Shōta Imanaga. In his MLB debut, Imanaga threw 6.0 shutout innings, allowing two hits, and registered 9 strikeouts.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORT
OKC Baseball Club 4 – Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies) 3
Walker Buehler started his 2nd rehab game, and this one went a lot better than his first. He was apparently scheduled to throw 65 pitches, and that is exactly what he threw (42 strikes). Buehler allowed a double to Sean Bouchard and a 2-out single to Jimmy Herron in the 5th. It was a 2-2 cutter soft fly (69.1 MPH) into RF, and Walker was pulled.
On the night, Buehler finished 4.2 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 BB, 6 K.
Walker Buehler is returning to form🎯
The @Dodgers righty tallies 6 strikeouts over 4.2 scoreless IP in a rehab outing for @okc_baseball. pic.twitter.com/IREUhate2q
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 7, 2024
Nabil Crismatt relieved Buehler and got the strikeout to end the inning. Crismatt allowed a single in each of his next two innings, but was dominant with 5 Ks in his 2.1 IP.
Nick Ramirez made his LAD organizational debut in the 8th inning. His night started out very well by striking out his first two batters. He then hit a batter who came around to score on an infield single and throwing error for the tying run. A second single scored the temporary go ahead run.
OKC scored the games first run in the 1st inning. Drew Avans singled and went to 2nd on a Trey Sweeney BB, and both runners moved up after Miguel Vargas was HBP. Hunter Feduccia worked a 2 out BB to force in the games only run until the 8th.
Down 2-1 going into the bottom of 8, OKC struck back. Kody Hoese opened the inning and reached base on an error. Drew Avans drew a BB, and Andy Pages singled to load the bases. Sweeney was HBP and Hoese scored the tying run. Miguel Vargas was called out on strikes. He challenged the pitch call, but it was upheld as a strike and Vargas was out. Kevin Padlo brought the go ahead run home on a sac fly, and Feduccia singled for an important insurance run.
Ricky Vanasco came in to close, but was wild. He struck out the first batter, walked the next two, allowed a single to plate one run and put runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. He struck out the next two batters to record his 2nd save.
- Drew Avans – 2-3, double (3), 2 BB
- Andy Pages – 2-5
- Trey Sweeney – 1-2, 2 BB, 1 HBP
- Hunter Feduccia – 1-4, 1 BB, 2 RBI
- Kody Hoese – 2-4
- Jonathan Araúz – 1-4, double
Tulsa Drillers 11 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 4
Tulsa has now won the first two games of the opening 3 game series. RHP Ben Casparius and LHRP Ben Harris struggles in their 2024 debut and each allowed 2 runs. Casparius was pitching out of trouble all night. He left runners on 2nd and 3rd by striking out the last 2 batters of the first inning. He left the bases loaded in the 2nd with a K. But he was not as fortunate in the 3rd. He got two quick out, but walked the next three batters. Ben Harris came in and promptly gave up a 2-run double to give NWA a 2-0 lead.
Harris gave up 2 runs in the 4th inning (1 earned), and NWA had a 4-0 lead.
The Drillers finally broke through in the 6th. Lolo Sanchez singled, stole 2nd and scored on a José Ramos double (1). Ramos scored the 2nd run on a single by Griffin Lockwood-Powell (GLP).
Taylor Young hit his first HR of the season in the 7th to bring the score closer to 4-3.
Tulsa broke it open in the 8th thanks to some horrible control from Naturals pitchers. The inning started with Dalton Rushing and José Ramos singles. GLP walked to load the bases, and Diego Cartaya was HBP to bring Rushing home for the tying run. After a K, the pitcher uncorked a WP and a Driller 5-4 lead. The next 5 batters drew walks. There was a K, and a PB brought home the 7th run of the inning.
Tulsa scored a final run in the 9th on 3 straight singles (Yeiner Fernandez, Chris Alleyne, and Taylor Young).
Tulsa used 4 relievers to finish the game. None of the 4 had clean innings, but none allowed a run.
- José Ramos – 2-5, double (1), 2 runs, 1 RBI
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 2-3, double (1), 2 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Taylor Young – 2-4, HR (1), 1 BB, 2 runs, 3 RBI
Box Score
Great Lakes Loons 5 – Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres) 4
Great Lakes went 2-0 on the season as they held on to beat the Padres A+ affiliate, Ft. Wayne TinCaps.
Jared Karros drew the starting assignment and was outstanding. With 2 outs in the 1st, he surrendered a solo HR for the only run he allowed in 5.0 IP. After 73 pitches/53 strikes, Karros gave up the one run on 4 hits, 0 BB, and 5 K.
Very impressive first start of the season for #Dodgers RHP prospect Jared Karros:
5.0 IP
4 H
1 ER
0 BB
5 K
16 whiffs
73 PThe only run he allowed came on a solo homer as Karros seemed totally in control throughout pic.twitter.com/U3up0VI8FK
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) April 6, 2024
LHRP Brandon Neeck pitched a scoreless 2.0 innings (2 singles, 2 K), and RHRP Michael Martinez pitched a scoreless 8th (1 BB).
LHRP Franklin De La Paz came into relief in the 9th. After the first out. De La Paz allowed a single and two BB to load the bases. De La Paz got the next batter on a K and he was about to get out of the inning. However, he gave up a bases loaded BB and was relieved by RHRP Jonathan Edwards. Ethan Salas singled off Edwards to plate 2 more. The score was now 5-4 with runners on 1st and 3rd. He walked Homer Bush Jr. to load the bases. He then induced Kai Murphy to pop out in foul territory to the 1B, Nick Biddison.
GL finally broke through in the 5th. Jordan Thompson opened with a double (1). Kyle Nevin drew a BB, and Noah Miller singled home Thompson. Dylan Campbell was the next batter and he singled home Nevin and a 2-1 lead.
Jordan Thompson led off the 7th with a HBP. He moved to 2nd on a pickoff throwing error. After two outs, Noah Miller drew a BB. A second pick off throwing error moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Dylan Campbell singled to score both.
In the 8th Sam Mongelli singled, stole 2B (3), and scored on Nick Biddison’s single. Biddison stole 2B, but was stranded.
Then the drama, and GL held on for the win. Jonathan Edwards was not effective, but he did get the save (1). Jared Karros got his first A+ win.
- Dylan Campbell – 2-4, 3 RBI
- Nick Biddison – 2-4, 1 RBI
- Noah Miller – 1-1, 3 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Jordan Thompson – 1-3, HBP, 2 runs
Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) 7 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5
The Quakes dropped their 2nd consecutive game of the season opening 3 game series with Lake Elsinore Storm, the Padres A affiliate.
Edgardo Henriquez started for RC and completed 2.0 IP. He gave up 1 hit, 1 BB, and 4 K. He threw 27 pitches/17 strikes.
It was a good start for the RHP making his first outing after TJ surgery.
21 year old RHRP Roque Gutierrez followed and for some reason pitched 4.2 innings and threw 106 pitches/61 strikes. He was not effective as he allowed 7 runs (6 earned) on 9 hits, 5 BB, and 4 K.
21 year old RHRP came on to relieve to get the final out in the 8th. He opened the 9th with two BB but then set the next 3 down in order. Overall in his 1.1 IP he allowed 2 BB and registered 3 K.
Offensively, the Quakes were a little light again.
RC temporarily tied the score after scoring 3 in the 5th. Juan Alonso opened the inning with a double (1). Kendall George drew a BB. Alonso scored and George moved to 3B on a Josue De Paula double (1). With 2 outs, Joe Vetrano singled home George and De Paula.
Down 7-3 in the 8th, RC tried to come back. Zyhir Hope drew a BB, and stole 2B. Jerel Perez was HBP. Carlos Rojas singled home Hope and Perez moved to 3rd and scored on a fielder’s choice to close the night on the scoring.
- Joe Vetrano – 2-5, 2 RBI
- Josue De Paula – 1-4, double (1), 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Juan Alonso – 1-3, double (1), 1 run, 1 RBI
- Zyhir Hope – 1-3, double (1), 1 BB, 1 run, 1 SB
Gotta admit, great start for Barnes and Miggy Ro. They keep hitting like this and I won’t cringe when I see them in the lineup.
I would love to see them hit and eat some crow.
Wouldn’t that be something! That is, the hitting part. Crow in the springtime is not a good idea. Lol.
14 Ks, one extra base hit, 2 for 11 WRISP. This will happen to a team of sluggers now and then. Still 4 runs and a W.
5 innings, even with 5 days off. Get used to it.
Chicago and Minnesota in early April. The ivy knows better than to show up. 44 in Minneapolis today, but it could warm up by midweek. You never know there.
Looks like Buehler has some of his swagger back.
Great start by Buehler!
He is getting closer to making it back to the big leagues. Hope his arm feels fine today and he comes back strong in his next start.
Dodgers affiliates will be throwing some interesting pitchers for Sunday’s getaway games.
OKC – Elieser Hernández
Tulsa – Orlando Ortiz-Mayr
Great Lakes – Peter Heubeck
Rancho Cucamonga – Carlos Duran.
Former MLB pitcher Elieser Hernández will see if he can regain some of that earlier magic in his arm. Will Peter Heubeck be able to retain that lofty prospect status? I am most looking forward to seeing what Carlos Duran can do at Rancho, following yesterday’s promising start for Edgardo Henriquez. If Duran and Henriquez can overcome their TJ surgeries, they will have a couple of outstanding arms to look forward to.
Heubeck = disappointment?
Nice to see Yamamoto pitch well. I guess he moved his hands and glove position back to where it was in Japan and he’s more comfortable. I guess the Dodgers don’t figure he’s tipping so. I’m unsure why they wanted to fix what wasn’t broken. But that’s common.
ABS por favor.
A baseball is just under 3 inches in diameter. The plate is 17 inch wide. A full baseball on each side makes the plate 23 inches wide.
Expanding the plate one more baseball on each side makes it 27 inches wide. A width that is totally impossible to cover. Give that a baseball or 2 up and down and the game is a clown show. And that’s how you get 29 strike outs in a game, courtesy of Doug Eddings.
If you like pure offense Saturday wasn’t your day.
We got Joseph yesterday. He threw the heat seeker for strikes and mixed in the slider. Just like his approach should be every outing.
I’ve always liked Nick Madrigal since he was a dude at Oregon State when they won the Natty in 2018, with a great lineup with Adley Rutschman, Trevor Larnach, Steven Kwan and Madrigal.
But I think he is ill suited the 3rd Base. He lacks the arm strength and gets by by getting it in the air. He has suffered way too many leg injuries but Nicky Two Strikes can hit for average when he’s healthy. I had hoped the Mariners would get interested in him when they were looking for a second baseman. Nicks natural position. But that didn’t happen.
I really have high hopes for a rotation with Buehler back at the top.
i also really like the back end with Hudson and Phillips, who I think looked fine.
Absolutely agree about ABS for all the reasons you mentioned. At the very least allow strike 3 and ball 4 to be challenged. And after 3 successful challenges the umpire is thrown out. Ok, that probably wouldn’t work. Not enough umpires to do that.
Great start to today’s game. 2 errors so far and 4 unearned runs in three innings. And so it goes.
Maybe the umpires now want ABS as well and are campaigning for it.
Maybe Nick Madrigal will end up in Sacramento with the A’s. I think Madrigal is from the Sacramento area.
Jerry Grote. who was a member of the 77-78 Dodger pennant winning teams, passed away today at the age of 81.