OKC Comets 9 – Las Vegas Aviators (A’s) 3
Bobby Miller pitched the game of his year. He completed 5.2 scoreless IP allowing 2 hits and 1 BB to go with 4 strikeouts. I did not see the game, but he seemed to be pitching to soft contact as he threw a very efficient 69 pitches/44 strikes in almost 6 innings. After getting the first two outs in the 6th, Bobby was relieved by Michael Kopech. I believe this was more of a plan for Kopech to come in to the middle of an inning, than protection of Miller. That is my belief and I am sticking to it.
Kopech allowed a single but struck out Max Muncy to end the inning.
Edgardo Henriquez entered in the 8th for his first rehab assignment. It did not go as well as expected. In 0.2 IP, Henriquez allowed 1 run on 1 hit and 2 BB. He threw 24 pitches/14 strikes. One cannot read anything into this outing. It was his first of the year. He threw 24 pitches, that was positive.
OKC changed up their top of the lineup. James Outman led off, Alex Freeland batted 2nd and Ryan Ward batted third. The three of them combined for 10 hits, 9 runs, and 8 RBI, including 4 HRs.
- James Outman – 2-4, 1 BB, 3 runs, 1 RBI, double (10), HR (10)
- Alex Freeland – 3-5, 3 runs, 1 RBI, double (18)
- Ryan Ward – 5-5, 3 runs, 6 RBI, 3 HR (12)
- Michael Chavis (13) and Steward Berroa (3) each doubled
Ryan Ward went 5-for-5 with three home runs and six RBI, marking his first career three-homer game as well as his first career five-hit game, while tying his career high in RBI…He became the first OKC player with five hits in a game this season. The last OKC player with three home runs in one game was Trey Sweeney exactly one year ago to the day on May 29, 2024 in Albuquerque…Going back to Wednesday night, Ward has hits in seven straight at-bats.
With his RBI single in the first inning, Ward set the career RBI record during Oklahoma City’s Bricktown era (since 1998), breaking a tie with Jason Botts (2005-08). Ward now has 236 RBI in his OKC career.
Free Ryan Ward!!
Box Score
Tulsa Drillers 4 – Wichita Wind Surge (Minnesota) 3
Jackson Ferris pitched a scoreless 4.0 innings before temporarily losing it with one out in the 5th. It was not a particularly good effort by Ferris. He allowed a lot of loud contact, but was saved by some elite defense. In the 5th, Ferris got the first batter with a K. Ferris then issued a BB, gave up a triple and HR. Ferris followed that with the final two outs of the 5th. He came back out for the 6th and retired the side in order, getting the last batter he faced via strikeout.
Three Drillers relievers each pitched a scoreless and hitless inning.
Ferris is still a MiLB pitcher, but it would be nice to see him in AAA.
The Drillers had 8 hits. Top hitters include:
- Yeiner Fernandez – 2-5, 1 run, double (8)
- Noah Miller – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Sean McLain – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI
- Chris Newell – 1-4, 2 RBI, double (6)
Box Score
Fort Wayne TinCaps (SD) 7 – Great Lakes Loons 5
Eriq Swan started for GL and in 3.0 IP allowed 5 runs on 5 hits and 5 BB, with 4 K. He left after facing the first four batters in the 4th reached with the first three scoring. Robinson Ortiz entered with an inherited runner on 3rd, and left him stranded with 2 Ks and a ground out to the 1B.
Reynaldo Yean allowed 2 runs in the 9th.
Zyhir Hope led the offense with the only Loons multi hit game with 2.
- Zyhir Hope – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (11)
- Jake Gelof – 1-3, 1 BB, 2 RBI, double (2)
- Jordan Thompson – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (4)
Box Score
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 8 – Modesto Nuts (Seattle) 4
This was a back and forth game for the first three innings with Modesto up 4-3. RC scored a pair in the 5th after four Quakes singles to take a 5-4 lead, a lead that lasted throughout the game.
Jakob Wright pitched the first 2.0 IP and allowed a pair of unearned runs. Logan Tabeling followed and completed 4.1 innings before 21 year old 6’5” 180 pound RHP making his 3rd appearance for RC. He completed the final 2.2 scoreless innings (one single) to register in first save.
9 of the Quakes 11 hits came from 4 hitters.
- Eduardo Quintero – 3-5, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Joendry Vargas – 2-6, 2 runs, 2 RBI, HR (2)
- Samuel Munoz – 2-4, 2 BB, 1 run, double (11)
- Raynerd Ortega – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Gio Cueto doubled (3)
Box Score
ACL Mariners 6 – ACL Dodgers 4
Box Score
I would much rather see Ryan Ward in LF in LA than Michael Conforto….
How is Ward on defense??
Ward has played LF in 243 games. In 2049.1 innings, he has made 11 errors, has 13 outfield assists. In 345 games, over 2900 innings he has made 15 errors. Seems his defense is more than adequate.
I’d like to see him get a chance. But it appears the team will stick with the veteran out there.
Times piece about Betts this morning. It was suggested there, as it has been suggested here, that learning a new, demanding position has affected his offense. “He’s learning a new position and that’s what his focus has been on.” Freddie Freeman. Yeah. We’ve noticed. Looking at the defensive rankings of MLB shortstops he’s 6th in OAA, which frankly surprises me. I’m curious if off target throws and throws in the dirt go into that compilation. Maybe somebody can fill me in on that.
Yankees. They are better than we are. .636. 9-1. Think maybe they will be looking for some payback?
Imo Since the management cant figure out how to use are talented kids how about trading Outman Freeland Ward and Miller for Paul Skenes
Skenes won’t get traded this year. The Bucs would never hear the end of it.
That group of 4 wouldn’t get you Skenes’ jockstrap.
Woh. That’s cold Jefe.
As I posted below, any Skenes trade from the Dodgers would include Rushing, DePaula/Hope and our top pitching prospects, whoever they are (probably Ferris). But Freeland is rising and both Ward and Outman could interest teams.
Sandy for GM if he can pull that off. Move over AF…..
Freeland is the only prospect in that group and we have four guys ranked ahead of him. It would take at least our top three prospects.
Interesting thought. There has been some chatter about the Pirates trading him, the loudest I believe was by Bowden (of course) in The Athletic. He suggested a package of Rushing, Pages, Ferris and Knack. Most agree the Pirates won’t trade him and if he were to be put up for sale the bidding would be high. That’s a good offer Sandy, and I have no idea what it would take, but probably more. I can’t help but think Skenes is a TJ waiting to happen. He’s hitting 100 mph a lot and averaging 99.2. He’s 23. Can he keep doing that? And doing that for a last place club?
“think Skenes is a TJ waiting to happen”
Then doesn’t it make sense that he does that with the Dodgers. Would seem appropriate.
With the Dodgers, yes. With other teams? Not sure about that but with overall tendencies in today’s game, guys who continue to throw 100 mph are at high risk.
Do you see it differently?
No, I see it the same way. I was trying to be a smart ass because the Dodgers always seem to find pitchers that need surgery. Why not get Skenes now in anticipation.
I gotcha Jeff.
I do see it differently for Skenes. And I hope I’m right because he is a treat to watch. I never miss a start for him and fell in love with the kid at LSU. I like him for his character as much as his ability to pitch. The game needs a kid like this to stay healthy.
I see him differently from other hard throwers because he is such a horse. At 6’6″ and 265, he can sit at 99 all day and it doesn’t appear to be his max effort. His lower half can generate such power and his body is a bigger version of Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Tom Seaver; guys that held up pretty well while throwing hard.
There is no way to know I’m right and if he holds up, but of all the young pitchers I see, he seems the most likely to hold up. And I really hope I’m right.
I’m sure the Pirates will have to deal him in the next couple of years and get players to build a roster. It’s tiresome to watch him take losses or no decisions because his Pirates team is so bad. It will take a haul but I’d put the Dodgers in the conversation.
I will venture out of my forte, but the free Ryan Ward comment seems spot on. Here’s a 27 year old outfielder / 1st sacker /DH who has no future with the Dodgers it appears. The Dude is raking .284/.842 and is never in a conversation helping the Big Club. Freeland looks to have a future, maybe at third. But not Ward. It’s almost criminal to waste this guy’s career and not trade him for help we need. Senzel and that MiLB group have no future. It’s time to get some depth in the minors as we are getting old, IMHO.
I remember Skenes when he was with Air Force. Air Force came to University of Nevada at Reno, and my son told me to come to Reno and watch this guy. He was more of a hitter at that time, and he just mashed all weekend. He dominated when he threw, but if I remember it was in relief.
I hope you are right as I agree that Skenes is special.
He’s uniquely gifted. He qualified to be a fighter pilot but was too big so he becomes an All Star Major League pitcher.
Shoot, Im here to celebrate Ryan Ward whether he gets a look or not.
What’s a guy gotta do to get a shot? Tho Muncy and Conforto are trending up the last dozen games or so
“What’s a guy gotta do to get a shot?”
Get traded
So says Michael Busch, Miguel Vargas, Gavin Lux, Zack McKinstry, Trey Sweeney, Keibert Ruiz…
Yep, Ward will move on at some point, if he isn’t traded at the deadline, he will leave in minor league free agency this winter. Oh, by the way, Doc says Conforto’s runway got longer.
Thanks for the updates Jeff!
Hope you enjoyed Lake Tahoe. It was our favorite vacation spot as a kid.
Former Dodger minor leaguer Drew Avans made his MLB debut this week for the A’s. He will be 29 next month after spending 5 years as a productive AAA player. He was a 33rd round draft pick from SE Louisiana by the Dodgers in 2018.
He was never talented enough or big enough to make the Dodger big league team, but he is still a great baseball story. Jeff had written about Avans in spring training l believe. I love to see the grinders get a chance through hard work and perseverance. He even had a hit in his first MLB at bat.
Congrats to Drew!
O’s placed Mullins on the IL with a hammy strain.
Dodgers v Yankees.
Big deal?
Not this early.
Phillips needs tj surgery and Mookie out with a stubbed toe
Phillpps had an MRI on May 7th with no structural damage shown.
3 weeks later it is TJ surgery which is usually done when the pictures show structural damage. So what happened in t hose 3 weeks ?
Not surprised he is having TJ surgery since his problems were lingering since last season but the way they come to this conclusion is the surprising part for me.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Phillips gave tons of value as a bargain basement reclaimation. He still has arb years, so who knows where his future lies…..
Wish him the best in what will be a long recovery
It won’t happen, but if Betts has to go on the IL I would hope the team gives Freeland some run.
Again, won’t happen.
If not Freeland, who replaces Betts?
I dunno, but I can’t remember the last time the Dodgers handed over starting positions to a rook mid-season.
Rojas, he’s our best SS.
On the 26?
Doc says Mookie will be getting x-rays on his stubbed toe.
Translation: “we hope to have him back by the playoffs”.
On the bright side, I think both Cavan Biggio and Jacob Amaya may be available.
Sorry Ohtani, Outman is the new leadoff hitter.
Is Conforto’s comeback make him tradeable?
Comeback? He’s 3 for his last 14 with 7 Ks. That ain’t tradeable.
Say, here’s an idea, try to sneak one down the middle by Judge.
Ohtani and Judge, pretty, pretty good.
I find Judge’s story to be frankly amazing. Didn’t even make the majors until he was 24, now just an offensive behemoth.
That size with superior hand eye just seems unfair.
The pitching staff is still complete garbage and needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. Phillips is gone, and it’s unlikely the rest of the guys are going to come back. Waiting around for injured pitchers to return while the staff is filled with mostly replacement level and softball league pitchers is not good strategy.
The Dodgers need to draft better, young healthy pitchers with good fastballs.
Is this your yearly blow it all up and start again rant?
Lol, just for the pitching staff yes. It usually results with the Dodgers playing better.
It’s like old-faithful, only not faithful!
I kinda lowkey really like Gonsolin.
Pulled it together nicely in this game. Always takes the ball.
I figure he leaves for greener pastures, but I really like him.
I kind of like Gonsolin, too but not his beard! Somebody get him a groomer!
So you like his five earned runs or more every start?
I like him too, but, 4 home runs and a 5.23 ERA? That sucks. Hopefully he can right the cat ship. And soon.
Catman was throwing batting practice first two innings. Yes, he kept it under control after that but IF Snell and Glasnow come back he should be first man down.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow!! What a win!! Very fun lighting up Fried.
Kudos to Gonsolin for pulling it together and giving us 6 innings. Huge for the bullpen, huge for this game and the rest of the series.
Gonso’s guts & poise, and Fried uncharacteristically off his game gave the Dodgers a chance to win. Pages 3 RBI’s with clutch hits the key to victory.
LA Times reports Betts has a fractured toe. He can’t play thru that now, can he?
depends on the toe, i imagine
Nope. I expect an IL announcement soon.
Can you have TJ surgery on your toe?
Toe Jam?