I have been looking forward to watching Eury Pérez pitch against the Dodgers. I first saw Pérez in 2021 pitching for Beloit (A+, Midwest League). He absolutely dominated the team as an 18 year old. I saw him dominate another team while pitching in AA Pensacola in 2022.
He is 6’8” and relatively thin, can throw 100, and average 98.2. But it was the breaking balls where he truly dominated the Dodgers. He threw his slider 33 times, 15 swings, and 9 whiffs. He threw his curveball 19 times, 10 swings, and 7 whiffs. It seemed effortless.
He had 22 whiffs in 6.0 IP. He allowed 2 hits, no BBs, and 10 Ks. He threw 90 pitches: averaging 15 pitches per inning. It was like watching a RH Randy Johnson…without the fear factor of course.
Pérez was not the only impressive pitcher in the 1st game. Ryan Pepiot made his long waited season debut, and pitched extremely well. He was the bulk inning reliever in a bullpen game. He gave up an infield single and then a run scoring double. He completed 5.0 innings, allowing the one run on 3 hits. He struck out 5, and had 14 whiffs of his own. Pepiot’s slider was his most impressive pitch. 19 pitches, 10 swings, 7 whiffs. He still needs to fully develop his double plus changeup to get ML hitters to chase.
Pepiot got some help in the 3rd. With one out and runners on 1st and 3rd, Josh Bell lofted a ball to David Peralta RF. Peralta made the catch and unleashed a throw home, that did not quite make it. Austin Barnes picked it and did a nice sweep tag on Jorge Soler who never did reach home to complete the 9-2 DP.
David Peralta HOLY THROW pic.twitter.com/mMy3sqCm8t
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) August 19, 2023
Ryan Yarbrough (2.0 IP) and Evan Phillips (1.0 IP) finished the game without allowing a baserunner.
LAD was down 1-0 in the 8th with David Robertson on the bump. With one out, James Outman worked a 3-2 pitch walk. Kiké Hernández singled Outman to 3rd. Austin Barnes laid down a perfect bunt to plate Outman to tie the score. Josh Bell threw the ball away and that put Hernández and Barnes on 3rd and 2nd.
Austin Barnes getting it done once again.pic.twitter.com/noMHS0H83F
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) August 19, 2023
Mookie singles both runners home. Both Dino Ebel and Freddie telling Austin to slide, and Barnesy would have none of it as he scored standing up. The Dodgers came from behind to take a 3-1 lead, and Phillips completed the save, his 19th of the season.
In the nightcap, Julio Urías took the mound looking for a sweep and a series win against the pesky Marlins. LHSP Braxton Garrett has been quietly outstanding this season for the Fish.
Urías grooved a center cut 1-0 four-seamer to Josh Bell who crushed a 431 foot HR and gave Miami a 1- 0 lead.
The two newbies got together to tie the game in the 2nd. Amed Rosario doubled and eventually scored on a Kiké Hernández single.
Then Mookie took over. Solo HRs in the 3rd and 5th gave LAD a 3-1 lead.
Julio was not overly dominant, but he was good enough to go 7.0 innings on 100 pitches and limit Miami to the one run. He had some fantastic defense to back him up. This is why Miggy Rojas is the LAD SS.
Miguel Rojas with an absolute gem at short to get Luis Arraez. pic.twitter.com/f0c2n9Y4Va
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 20, 2023
In a 3-1 game, that is a back breaker.
Ryan Brasier continued his excellent LAD relief work with a scoreless 8th, all leading up to Brusdar Graterol’s save opportunity in the 9th. Brasier has appeared in 24 games with LAD (24.1 IP). He has allowed 4 runs (3 earned), for a 1.11 ERA and a 0.74 WHIP. He is as effective of a setup reliever as there is in MLB.
Graterol was not as effective. It took some outstanding D to get the save. Once again it was the Rosario and Hernández show that put the game on ice.
I dunno, man. Amed Rosario is legit at second. Baseball. pic.twitter.com/CwGGMv5hko
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 20, 2023
After Brusdar Graterol (and Dave Roberts) thought they had a strikeout, Enrique Hernandez saves the day by making a great play to end it. pic.twitter.com/SgUcISOMgl
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) August 20, 2023
Amed Rosario was not a good defensive SS at all, but he is becoming a very good defensive 2B. Not near the Mookie level, but good nonetheless. BTW, Mookie has to be considered to be the full time regular 2B in 2024.
I might as well show a couple of other outstanding defensive plays executed on this day.
James Outman
James Outman 🤩 pic.twitter.com/W5PSNcmapu
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 19, 2023
Julio Urías
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1693074855036600602?s=20
I absolutely love well pitched games with outstanding defense and smart baseball. These two games had it all.
Eury Pérez was the most dominant pitcher on the day. I am very much looking forward to watching Eury develop even more. José Fernández was unbelievably dominant as a 20 year old Marlins pitcher. On September 25, 2016, he was tragically killed in an early AM boating accident off the coast of Miami. He would be 31 today. Just how good of a rotation would Miami have with Fernández, Alcántara, Pérez, Luzardo, and Garrett. Pérez (Dominican) does not have the favorite son status that Fernández (Cuba) had, but he will be bringing in the fans.
This is going to be a tough Miami team to face in a short series.
The Dodgers moved to 17-2 in the month of August, and 9-1 on the homestand. It wasn’t just the Rockies they beat, but also two potential playoff teams: Milwaukee and Miami. They are now 12.0 games ahead of San Francisco, 13.0 games ahead of Arizona, and 18.0 games ahead of San Diego. They are running away with the NL West once again.
Next stop, Cleveland and Boston. Game 1 – Bobby Miller vs Noah Syndergaard.
08-19-2023 – MiLB Game Summary Report
OKC Dodgers 4 – Salt Lake City Bees (LAA) 1
OKC had a bullpen game of its own. Alec Gamboa was the opener and pitched 1.0 hitless and scoreless inning. He allowed 1 BB and got 2 Ks. Shelby Miller followed Gamboa and pitched a scoreless inning. Kyle Hurt was the bulk innings reliever. This was his 3rd game with OKC as he finished 4.0 IP. He allowed the one run, but had 8 Ks in those 4.0 IP. He now has 21 Ks in 12.0 AAA IP, and 131 K in 77.0 IP over his AA and AAA season.
Key Performers:
- Miguel Vargas – 2-4, 1 run, double (9)
- Michael Busch – 2-4
- David Dahl – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Ryan Ward 1-4, 1 run, 3 RBI, HR (18)
Tulsa Drillers 10 – Frisco RoughRiders (Texas ) 4
Tulsa took a 4-0 lead in the top of the 1st and put the game away with 2 more in the 6th and 4 in the 7th.
Orlando Ortiz-Mayr started and went 5.1 innings. Four relievers followed to close out the win.
Key Performers:
- Austin Gauthier – 2-4, 2 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (15)
- Yusniel Diaz – 2-6, 2 RBI
- Hamlet Marte – 2-3, 2 BB, 2 runs, double (1)
- Ismael Alcantara – 2-5, 1 run, 2 RBI
- Imanol Vargas – 1-5, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (26)
- Diego Cartaya – 3 BB
Lansing Lugnuts (A’s) 7 – Great Lakes Loons 5
The Loons jumped out to a 3-0 and 4-1 lead, but Jerming Rosario could not hold it. All the scoring was done by the 5th. The Loons outhit Lansing 12-10.
Key Performers:
- Taylor Young – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run
- Yeiner Fernandez – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (6)
- Kenneth Betancourt – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (2)
- Damon Keith – 2-4, 1 RBI
- Chris Alleyne – 3-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (14), HR (6)
Visalia Rawhide (Arizona) 5 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 1
Visalia scored 4 in the 1st inning and did not look back.
Key Performers:
- Jesus Galiz – 2-4
- Rayne Doncon – double (20)
I would be remiss if I did not include something on Landon Knacks’ game on Friday for OKC.
If Betts is moved to second where does that put Vargas? Still early but any thoughts as to whether the Dodgers try to sign Rosario?
Vargas is a third baseman, unless he isn’t. Busch is a second baseman, unless maybe he plays third. Lux is a shortstop, unless he plays second again. Mookie plays all three of those positions and right field.
Rams still look athletic and fast, but small and easily bullied.
Everyone’s favorite columnist Bill Plaschke says the Trojans should be 12-0 this year. Any comments?
Busch has recently been playing some left field. Guess we’ll find out this winter how this all plays out.
Yep. Busch might get a look with call ups but this team doesn’t need hitters, it still needs pitching relief. With a 12 game lead I would like to see a 6 man rotation, but I doubt that happens. More bullpen games? Yeah, probably.
I agree on a six man rotation for the reminder of the season. It would allow them to bring up a youngster or two and give them opportunity to gain some MLB experience. More importantly, it would give the current starters some rest and maybe reduce the soon to be overworked BP’s workload as well.
The 2024 Dodger infield will be an interesting development for sure. But, for me that’s a subject for the offseason. Let’s enjoy what’s going on currently. If the pitching holds this could be a serious and exciting drive to a World Series victory.
Carry on.
Oregon State has a chance to win the final year of Pac 12 football which would be a perfect ending to the demise of the conference.
I hope Betts winds up in the infield next year but like you say it’s crowded. Vargas, Busch, Lux, Rojas, Betts, and maybe Rosario and Muncy if they return. Outman is alone in the outfield if Betts moves to infield assuming Peralta and Heyward don’t return.
I would love to trade youth quantity for youth quality.
He is setting them up to blast if they do lose. USC has a pretty tough schedule including Notre Dame in South Bend and Oregon in Eugene. They do get Utah and Washington at home. The Trojans are certainly capable of going 12-0. The last year of the Pac-12 is full of top rated QB who will take advantage of weak pass rushes and weak secondaries. USC has a chance to excel in both positions, but could also not be nearly deep enough. Competition QB in Pac 12.
Bo Nix – Oregon
Michael Penix – Washington
Cameron Rising – Utah
Jayden De Laura – University of Arizona
DJ Uiagalelei – Oregon State
Dante Moore – UCLA
I’m not certain about this but it looks to me like SC has more talent than any team in the West. Enough to go 12-0? Yeah, I believe so.
USC, isn’t that the school that used to play on the West Coast? Before the Rose Bowl caved to participating in a national playoff, I really liked watching the Big 10 versus Pac 10 every year in the Rose Bowl.
I never needed a playoff to determine a National Champion. What I liked was watching the Fiesta Bowl, then the Rose Bowl, and then the Orange Bowl in that sequence on January 1. All the better if a Pac 10 team were in the Fiesta and Orange Bowls.
There are almost 40 million people living in California. Screw the Eastern Time Zone teams and fly over leagues. We are the West Coast and I am damn proud of living here.
I don’t care about the math. I do care about what appears the be the mismanagement of Pac 12 Conference people and the Athletic Directors of the Pac 12 schools.
Hell, I miss the Pacific Coast League. Now, let me finish by saying–KEEP OFF MY LAWN!.
Good recap Jeff!
Dodgers are playing great baseball in August. Even Austin Barnes contributed this month. Austin was instrumental in at least two wins this week. Amazing that the Dodgers lead the unbeatable/big budget Padres by 18 games! And the Dodgers have overcome several key injuries to build their lead. Great MVP level performances this year by Freddie and Mookie plus solid contributions from the entire roster. And despite my concerns about roster weaknesses, Friedman and Roberts have been great this year. Enjoy the ride and appreciate the excellence of this franchise.
Fun two games to watch. Barnes positioning himself to be the Dodgers MVP this month.
That backhanded scoop and tag was as good as any I’ve seen by a catcher. And a second string catcher at that. A perfect bunt on a safety squeeze and a game winning home run. Yeah. Barnes is a valuable asset on this club. Always has been as far as I’m concerned.
The Dodgers are pitching three of their top prospects today:
Kyle Hurt on Saturday and Emmet Sheehan are getting familiar with bulk inning relief work. Sheehan is already on the 40 man, and that could be his role in September. Hurt is not, but he will need to be protected this winter anyway. Hurt has huuuuuuge strikeout capabilities, so it is not out of the question that he gets a call sometime in the final month. The Dodgers are not worried about starting his clock as no player who is added now will lose their rookie status for next season. This might be an ideal time to see Hurt in a relief role.
The same is true for Landon Knack, but it appears they want to keep him in a starting role. But it could all change. 39 games to go.
NYM knew they were not a WC threat in 2023, and decided to sell. St. Louis believed the same. OTOH, San Diego and LAA believed they were playoff contenders and decided to buy. Since the deadline:
Seems like Peter Seidler and Arte Moreno did not read the tea leaves properly. Arte Moreno and the Monfort Brothers (Colorado) are fighting for 2nd worst owners in MLB. John Fisher is far and away the worst MLB owner, and may be the worst MLB owner in MLB history. Although that could also be reserved for Marge Schott.
I think the Monfort Brothers still believe they have a chance at the Wild Card…in 2023.
Oakland is one of many that doesn’t get into the playoffs but probably banks the most revenue sharing money. How should bad be defined?
I wonder how much Moreno has reduced the value of the Angels by not trading Ohtani at the deadline? It’s his team and money, and he was entitled to roll the dice, but he wound up losing that bet.
Just think of what the Angels have to look forward to next year. No Ohtani, a Mike Trout who will be a year older and even more injury prone, a Rendon who just keeps collecting that huge salary and not playing, etc.
It’s ironic that there are a number of owners whose teams are bad because they won’t spend money to make them good. That is not Moreno’s problem. He spends the money, but interferes with his baseball people so much that they fail anyway.
Rendon may not have wanted to sign with the Dodgers at almost any offer but if that is not the case, Friedman, by putting a lid on any offer, allowed Moreno to save the Dodgers from a bad contract. I bet that burns even more than Rodon sitting out his contract.
Just checked the standings and was surprised to see that the Mariners have gotten themselves to within 3 games of the Rangers in the American – West after sweeping the Astros.
I wonder where they’d be if they had Ohtani in the middle of their lineup and rotation. I bet Shohei is wondering the same thing. He has spent time the past 2 off seasons living there and supposedly loves the city.
Seattle will be back again next year with all the pieces they would have given up plus Ohtani.
Just checked the OKC transaction ledger. Thank you very much Ryan Pepiot for what you did on Saturday, but you are now being optioned back to OKC. Apparantly they have decided to keep Bryan Hudson on the active roster. For all practical purposes, Pepiot was being returned as the 27th man.
It makes sense. He has only had two starts this whole year.
I think they just figured they couldn’t use him until his next turn to start so why not just keep Hudson for the week. I can pretty well assure you that we’ll see Pepiot back in 5 or 6 days.
The 27th man is not counted as a call up or option out, so they don’t use up anything by doing it this way.
They should keep him on the MLB roster. Why not him as the fifth starter right now?