Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado) 9 – OKC Baseball Club 7
OKC slugged 4 HRs, 1 triple, and 3 doubles, as part of their 11 hits. They scored often, but did not have that one big inning, and settled for 7 runs. The hitting stars were Ryan Ward, Miguel Vargas, and Andre Lipcius.
In the 2nd, Ward (pictured) hit his 9th HR, a solo shot. Lipcius followed with a triple and scored on a Kody Hoese ground out.
Ryan Ward hits his fourth homer of the series and ties things up in the 2nd inning! pic.twitter.com/W1wUJ2lvQn
— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) April 28, 2024
In the third, OKC started a string of three single run innings. Drew Avans and Miguel Vargas led off the 3rd with doubles for a run. Vargas was caught stealing 3B, and the threat was over.
OKC got solo HRs in both the 4th and 5th innings by Lipcius and Vargas respectively.
Miguel Vargas launched a homer in OKC pic.twitter.com/nXpvNj9x5L
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) April 28, 2024
Days Andre Lipcius has homered:
✅ Friday
✅ Saturday
✅ Sunday pic.twitter.com/50VeeuRVIX— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) April 28, 2024
24 year old RHP Hyun-il Choi’s 2nd OKC start did not go well. When he departed after 3.0 IP, he gave up 4 runs on 5 hits and 5 BB.
But OKC found themselves up 5-4 in the 5th. Michael Flynn relieved Choi, and in the 5th, he gave up a 2-run HR to Grant Lavigne, giving the Isotopes a 6-5 lead.
In the 6th with Blake Treinen making his 3rd rehab assignment, he gave up a single, a stolen base, and a run scoring single. While his relief appearances were not what you might expect, he was pitching in Albuquerque, and he his pitching with shorter periods of game rest. He pitched 1.0 inning on April 23, 1.0 on April 26, and his third 1.0 on April 28.
OKC was down 7-5 in the 8th when Trey Sweeney reached on an error and then scored ahead of Ryan Ward’s 2nd 2-run HR of the day.
It's a double dinger day for Ryan Ward!
He ties the game in the 8th inning with his second homer today and fourth in the last four games! pic.twitter.com/YhmAJvb4Cw
— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) April 28, 2024
Kevin Gowdy relieved in the 8th. Gowdy walked the first batter, and the second batter laid down a sac bunt. 3B Kody Hoese threw the bunt away, and one runner scored and the batter ended up at 3rd. He scored on a single. Gowdy issued another BB and gave up another single to load the bases, but got out of the jam without any additional runs.
OKC went down in order in the 9th, and they suffered their 2nd consecutive loss to Albuquerque. Although they won the series 4-2.
Trey Sweeney drew his league-leading 24th walk of the season and scored a run as he has now reached base in all 26 games he has played in this season.
Jonathan Araúz extended his career-best hitting streak to 17 games, going 2-for-4 with a double. During the streak, which is the longest in the PCL this season, Araúz is 22-for-70 (.314) with 11 extra-base hits and 13 runs scored.
Miguel Vargas and Drew Avans both extended their hitting streaks to seven games. Vargas went 2-for-4 with a double and his sixth home run of the season as he has now homered in back-to-back games…Avans hit a double and scored a run and he leads OKC in overall hits (32) and runs scored (28) this season.
- Miguel Vargas – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (9), HR (6)
- Ryan Ward – 2-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 2 HR (10)
- Andre Lipcius – 2-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, triple (2), HR (9)
- Jonathan Araúz – 2-4, double (9)
- Drew Avans – double (8)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (KC) 4 – Tulsa Drillers 3
Yon Castro made his 2024 debut, and pitched quite well for Tulsa for 3.0 scoreless innings. He allowed 1 hit and 2 BB with 3 K.
Congrats to Yon Castro for making his AA Debut for Tulsa & it was a really good one.
3 IP
1 H
0 R
3 Ks
2 BB
Check out Change up in the video below, it had crazy movement. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/m2teXKJEYp— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) April 28, 2024
Michael Hobbs entered in the 4th for the Drillers, 2 singles and a BB loaded the bases with 1 out. Diego Hernandez doubled home a pair. A third run came home on a fielders choice ground out. Hobbs allowed his 3 runs on 3 hits and 1 BB.
The Drillers scored an unearned run in 5th after Yeiner Fernandez singled and moved to second when Lolo Sanchez reached 1st on an error. Austin Gauthier singled home Fernandez.
Antonio Knowles pitched a perfect inning, registering 2 K. Ronan Kopp entered in the 7th. The first batter reached on an error and stole 2B. After a K, Javier Vaz hit a run scoring double. Kopp walked the next batter, including a wild pitch. Kopp was relieved by Ryan Sublette who got the last out of the inning.
With NWA now ahead 4-1 and going into the bottom of the 9th, the Drillers got close, but could only score 2. A pair of BB and a pair of passed balls plated 1 and left a runner on 3rd. Yeiner Fernandez singled home the 2nd run. After a two out walk to Lolo Sanchez, Austin Gauthier struck out to end the game.
- Austin Gauthier – 2-4, 1 BB, 0 runs, 1 RBI
- Yeiner Fernandez – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Taylor Young – double (4)
Great Lakes Loons 8 – Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres) 3
Alex Freeland led off the game and reached on an error. That was followed by a Noah Miller 2-run HR. Two batters, score 2-0.
Noah Miller, MLB Pipeline's #26 prospect for the #Dodgers, put Great Lakes ahead with a two run shot in the first, it's his second homer of the season pic.twitter.com/mhyWxHq7oe
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) April 28, 2024
The Loons left the bases loaded with nobody out in the third. They got another across in the 5th. Jake Vogel walked, stole 2nd, Alex Freeland walked. Nyle Nevin singled and Vogel scored. Chris Newell was HBP, but Thayron Liranzo struck out and the Loons left the bases loaded for the second time.
The Loons starting pitcher was Jacob Meador. He had his share of traffic that he navigated through, but not crossed the plate in his 4.0 IP.
Brandon Neeck relieved Meador in the 5th and he allowed the tying 3 runs, on 4 hits a BB, and a HBP. Christian Suarez relieved Neeck with 2 outs in the 5th and got the final out, stranding 2 runners.
Suarez loaded the bases with nobody out in the 6th. But he recovered to strike out 2 and then induce a ground ball for the third out.
Franklin De La Paz, Livan Reinoso, and Lucas Wepf each pitched a scoreless inning. They did not allow any hits, and issued a pair of walks in total.
At the same time, the Loons were putting up a picket fence from the 5th through the 8th innings, and Thayron Liranzo hit a 2-run HR in the 9th.
Looks like Thayron Liranzo is getting settled in at High A – the 20 year old catcher/1B, who is Pipeline's 9th ranked prospect for the #Dodgers, turned around 98 and hit an absolute skyscraper of a homer. He has now homered on back to back days 👀 pic.twitter.com/gq1C7j1xDX
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) April 28, 2024
- Alex Freeland – 2-4, 2 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (7)
- Noah Miller – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 3 RBI, double (5), HR (2)
- Thayron Liranzo – 1-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR I2)
- Sam Mongelli – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (2)
- Chris Newell – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2 runs, double (4)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7 – Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) 4
Cam Day was the starting pitcher for the Quakes. He got two quick outs in the first before Dillon Head tripled. He scored on an E3. Overall he pitched 3.0 innings, allowing 3 hits, and issuing 2 walks, with 3 strikeouts.
In the third, the Quakes got a pair of home runs. One was a grand slam, Jordan Thompson, and a 2-run HR by Juan Alonso, and the Quakes had a 6-1 lead.
Garrett McDaniels relieved Day and was not effective in this one. He allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, 2 BB. The key blow was a 2-run HR in the 4th. In the 5th, McDaniels got the first two outs, but then issued a walk and gave up 2 singles for a run. The Quakes lead is down to 6-4.
Jorge Gonzalez was splendid in his 2.0 innings of scoreless pitching.
In the 8th, the Quakes added an insurance run. Logan Wagner and Juan Alonso both drew walks. Wagner stole 3rd, and then Wagner and Alonso pulled off a double steal with Wagner stealing home.
Noah Ruen came in to close in the 9th. He got into immediate trouble with a HBP, a fielding error, and an infield single loaded the bases with no outs. He retired the next three batters leaving the bases loaded for his 2nd save.
A possible negative from the game is an injury to Zyhir Hope in his first AB in the 1st inning. As I am writing this, I do not know the nature or the severity of the injury. So what started with a potential top OF of Zyhir Hope, Kendall George, and Josue De Paula is now down to a “gimpy” Kendall George. I will report the nature and severity of the Hope injury as soon as I hear.
- Jordan Thompson – 2-4, 1 run, 4 RBI, double (3), HR (2)
- Juan Alonso – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (5), HR (1)
- Kendall George – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, double (1)
- Wilman Diaz – triple (2)
That thing moves like a knuckleball.
You mean Yon Castro?
Every few weeks it seems that the Dodgers showcase a prospect that I am totally unfamiliar with. A lot of players to root for… which is why I’d be fine with flipping a few prospects for a stud closer like Mason Miller, if possible.
Most of us are excited about Andy Pages, and rightfully so. Through 11 games and 43 ABs, he is hitting .302 with an OPS of .861, including 2 homers.
Still a pretty small sample, but he is accelerating down that runway and ready to take off…
For context, let’s compare Pages’ impressive debut to Outman’s stats from his Rookie of the Month performance early last season, when he broke camp as the starter in centerfield.
A full month is, of course, a much larger sample.
From TrueBlueLA:
“Outman in April hit .292/.376/.615 with seven home runs, three triples, four stolen bases, 20 runs batted in, 17 runs scored, and a 164 wRC+. He led all major league rookies in home runs, triples, extra-base hits (14), slugging percentage, and OPS (.991).”
Some of us will recall how Outman and Max carried the offense early before Mookie and others heated up. Outman would later go into deep slump–but he battled out of it and won Rookie of the Month for August as well:
“Outman in August hit .277/.408/.482 with five home runs, 15 RBI, and a 148 wRC+. He led all National League rookies during the month in on-base percentage, walks (16), and home runs. His OPS (.8897) was a very close second to Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (.8902). Outman was also second among NL rookies in batting average, slugging percentage, and RBI, and he ranked third in runs scored (17).”
Outman would wind up third in ROY voting with a .790 OPS that placed him near veteran stars like Bryan Reynolds and Arozarena.
Now Outman has opened this season in another slump–but his BABIP suggests that he’s also had some bad luck. Last season he proved that he could recover, provided he is able to play. He finished with an OBP of more than .350 against lefties, which is fine for a player batting late in Dodgers lineup ahead of Mookie and Shohei.
But now Roberts is sitting Outman against lefties, providing more opportunity for Taylor and Kike. Taylor has been awful, and Kike has been meh.
We’ve seen Outman’s upside–and it’s higher than both Taylor’s and Kike’s. I understand that Roberts wants to help Taylor, especially, break out of his funk–but what about Outman?
As for Pages, we can only hope that he keeps it up… but a slump is certainly possible, and probably likely. Will the Dodgers give him a chance to work through it the way Outman did in ’23?
Awesome post.
Dodgers headed west after the game and will open a three-game set with the D-Backs on Monday before facing the Braves next weekend. Gm 1, Paxton V Henry. Gm 2. Knack V Montgomery, Gm 3, Yamamoto V TBD. This is supposed to be Gallen’s spot. He is nursing a sore hammy. He has said he will be ready, that remains to be seen. Dodgers are 3.5 games ahead of the Giants and 4.5 ahead of both SD and Arizona. Rockies are already 10 games back.
The Dodgers are doing better than one might think if one forgets to look at the standings. And, there is a lot of bottom-of-the-lineup potential energy that will soon become kinetic energy.
Vargas is percolating in AAA too.
It is nice to see Dodger starting pitching going into the sixth and seventh inning recently. Now days pitching into the seventh is like a complete game. But, none the less, Roberts is letting well enough alone when it comes to the starters.
The BP seems to be slowing taking shape. Much improvement from Vesia, Brasier, and even old friend Joe Kelly.
I had to take a double take when I saw CT3’s sacrifice bunt the other day. And, then follow that up with a hit by Mookie! Good stuff.
Rookie Pages looks like he might be the next prospect to break into the starting lineup. He seems to have made the necessary adjustments in the past few games and is making solid contact. He has become my can’t miss AB during the games. How Springer caught that fly ball is beyond me. I have no respect for Springer for obvious reasons, but got to give credit when it’s due. Unbelievable catch! I’m enjoying how Pages approaches each AB. He looks to drive the ball until he has two strikes and then goes with where the pitch location dictates. His K rate is 23% which is makes him a contact hitter on the Dodgers. Lol. With no walks so far he definitely goes up there to swing away. But, with a plan.
I’m still waiting for Gavin Lux to start making solid contact with the ball. He’s getting a few hits the past seven games with a .231 average. But, almost all his hits are seeing eye ground balls and bloopers to the outfield. He displays absolutely no power. Is he favoring his leg when hitting? He seems to be trusting his leg on defense and looks much more comfortable at 2B and with his throwing. I’m no longer going “oh s#%t” when he has to throw the ball to first.
Mookie and Will are simply on fire right now. It’s amazing to me how easy they make hitting look. Awesome.
Carry on.
I hate to complain after a very successful road trip, but the bullpen games are pointless. These load management scheduled losses don’t have to happen. Why not just let Yarborough be the sixth starter if you absolutely have to have a six man rotation? It’s not preventing injuries.
I think it’s time to move on from Gavin Lux. He’s a weak hitter with no power, let me paraphrase what Tedra said…
“He’s getting a few hits the past seven games with a .231 average. But, almost all his hits are seeing eye ground balls and bloopers to the outfield. He displays absolutely no power.”
This is correct. I would rather see Miggy Ro play short, with Mookie moving permantently to second. (you win Jeff Lolz)
overall, scheduling losses, and conceding games with bullpen starts and auto outs at the bottom of the lineup is not a good look. I would prefer if they actually tried to win every game whether it’s April, or September.
It’s about time to start dumping some of the dead weight on the roster like Lux, and Outman. I know they want them to magically figure it out through playing, but that’s not likely to happen.
If there’s any deadwood to be dumped, the obvious first choice should be Taylor. When a guy gets kudos for laying down a sacrifice bunt you know he’s bad.
Absolutely agree. First to go should be Taylor. Outman is playing his way back to OKC when Heyward comes back. Lux has to start producing or they need to look at a better option. Barnes is not going anywhere.
I think they are winning enough to allow younger players to grow into their best selves.
Zyhir Hope started in center field, but crashed into the wall in trying to corral a two-out triple by Dillon Head in the opening inning. Hope remained in center for the final out of the first, but was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the inning.
Lipcius has a 1.035 OPS and is starting at 2B?!??!?!
On the other side of the spectrum, Diego Cartaya had another 0 for x, his OPS this year (.510) even worse than last year (.656).
He’s got time, but the Dodgers 40 man crunch shows no sign of abating and there are at least three prospects who MUST be added in December (River Ryan, Trey Sweeney, Justin Wrobleski)
Ask not for whom the bell tolls and all.
Finally, Rancho Cucamonga has a TBA starter on Wednesday at Modesto. Looking like that may very well be Payton Martin.
Yon Castro is a 6’ 0” 203 pound RHP. He was signed by NYY on 01-17-18 out of Cotui, Dominican Republic. He is 25 (will be on 05/23). The Dodgers selected Casto in the first round of the December 2022 Rule 5 draft, MiLB Phase from NYY.
He has been primarily a starter since 2021. Last year at Great Lakes, Castro started 12 games (47.2 IP). He had a 2.27 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, .172 BAA, 47 K, and 15 BB. He was primarily a fly ball pitcher, but only allowed 3 HR. Not a big K pitcher but better than 3-1 K/BB. He did not pitch more than 5.0, and did that 4 times.
He pitched 3.0 innings on Sunday. He had 57 pitches/31 strikes, 1 hit, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K. It was one game but he had 4 groundouts to 2 flyouts, which the Dodgers prefer.
At 25 and just now at AA, I doubt if his long term plans will be to start at MLB, or at least for the Dodgers. The most IP in his career was 87.2 for Tampa Tarpons (high A) in 2022.
Just doing a bit of longer term thinking.
What would it take to prise CJ Abram’s from
the Nats? That boy’s gonna be good. I do realise it would take a haul, but it would sort out a position of need going forward.
Who’s got the Trade Simulator?
Everybody has the trade simulator, it’s here:
https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/
Sheehan (if healthy) and DePaula.
Rushing, DePaula and Grove
Abrams. Would love to see him here but he isn’t even arb eligible until ’26. It would take a serious overpay to get them to even think about it.
I hope Vargas, Sweeney and Lipcius keep it going. If so, what happens? Lipcius is OPS’n over 1.000 and can play all over. He will be 26 in less than a month. Is he the best replacement for Taylor should Taylor be replaced?
So an Overhyped prospect, an 18-year old kid, an injured pitcher and….Micheal Grove for Abrams. That’s a steal for the Dodgers.
Wow, I had no idea Corbin Carroll has had such a horrible start to the year!
Maybe we can offer CT3 and Heyward for him? I’ll check with Bluto’s trade simulator.
D-Backs would laugh in your face.
Apparently Bobby forgot to raise the sarcasm flag.
Ryan Brasier on the IL with a calf strain. Gus Varland has been recalled.
One small bit of concern with Andy Pages defense in CF. I do not think he reads the ball off the bat in CF as he can in the corners. Both the Marte double and Corbin Carroll single would have been caught by Outman (IMO). They would have been tough catches, but he has made those this year. We will never know, but Pages got horrible jumps on both. Outman goes back on the ball very well in CF.
Belongs in RF.
Best arrangement has Vargas in LF next season.
We’ll see if Outman belongs in CF.
Outman and Carroll both struggling in their sophomore campaigns.
Since Outman is a far better defensive OF than Vargas and has hit better at the ML level than Vargas, if you are putting Vargas in LF why is Outman a question? I think it is more likely that both are questions at this point in time.
ALERT ALERT 🚨 THE Dodger batters have no strikeouts through nine innings. The last time they had a no strikeout game was Aug. 28, 2006 against the Cincinnati Reds. They won that game 6-5.
Andre Ethier and Jason Repko each had three hits. Russell Martin had a home run.
After 31 games, the Dodgers are 19-12. Last year they were 18-13. They were 1.5 games ahead of the second-place team. This year, they are four games ahead of the second place Giants, 5.5 ahead of both SD and Arizona. Jamal Murray sank a shot in the final seconds to send the Lakers down to defeat and home for the summer in the Nuggets 108-106 win in game five. I think Ham is going to get fired. Of all the pitchers on the Dodger roster, the starter I do not want on the roster for the playoffs, is Paxton. At least not the way he is throwing right now. Too many walks. Buehler with a rehab start tomorrow for OKC. Could be activated as soon as the next home stand.