The Dodgers and Royals have only faced each other 15 times between 2003 and 2022. The Dodgers held a 9-6 record against the Royals before Friday’s game. They were 5-1 at home and 4-5 in KC. The Dodgers won the opening game of the series 9-3.
The Dodgers were facing RHP Alec Marsh who was making his MLB debut. On a 3-1 pitch, Mookie demolished a 93.2 MPH 4-seamer 422 feet deep into the LF stands. This was Mookie’s 21st HR of the season and it was his 9th leadoff HR of the season, tying him with Joc Pederson for most leadoff HRs for a Dodger in a season. He has 25 leadoff HRs as a Dodger. This was Mookie’s 45th career leadoff hitter moving him into sole 8th spot on the career list.
Mookie Betts has tied the Dodgers' single-season leadoff home run record with 9
We’re halfway through the season
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) July 1, 2023
Marsh settled down and retired the next 5 batters before Jason Heyward singled for his 1st hit of the night. Outman flew out to the wall in RF for the 3rd out.
Good start for Mookie, but he was not done.
With one out, Mookie came up a 2nd time, and for the 2nd time, Mookie went deep for his 22nd HR on the season. This one went off the foul pole. This was his 2nd HR of the game out of the leadoff spot.
Mookie Betts is on pace for 44 home runs this season 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/NL5ZHAZ3QT
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) July 1, 2023
Mookie has now built on his career lead of multi-home run games out of leadoff spot.
most career multi-home run games out of leadoff spot:
Mookie Betts: 23
George Springer: 19
Alfonso Soriano: 19
Brady Anderson: 14
Kyle Schwarber: 13
Joc Pederson: 13
Bobby Bonds: 13 https://t.co/d0hcCsxI2s— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 1, 2023
For the night, Mookie went 4-4, 2 HRs, 2 walks, 3 runs, 4 HRs. He now has his OPS up to .923.
As great as Mookie was, he was not the only star on the night. Jason Heyward is continuing his resurgence. After a 3-hit night in Colorado (including 2 doubles), Jason comes back with another 3 hit night including his 12th HR. He also walked, scored a run, and knocked 2 in.
The bullpen was also pretty terrific. After Bobby Miller kind of blew his cool with 2 outs in the 6th, Caleb Ferguson came in to get the final out. Caleb came back out in the 7th and got the 1st out. On a dribbler along the first base line, Caleb got the ball but tried to tag the hitter/runner, missed him, and the hitter got a single. Bobby Witt Jr. singled and KC had runners on 1st and 2nd. Caleb just blew MJ Melendez away for out #2. Doc came out to get him. Caleb lobbied to stay in, but the decision was made.
Yency Almonte also continuing a mid-season resurgence, got Salvi Perez to hit a fly ball to James Outman to end the inning.
In the 8th, what many of us LAD fans have been waiting on, Daniel Hudson made his 2023 debut and was outstanding. The first batter he faced, Maikel Garcia, hit a slow ground ball to Max Muncy who threw late to 1B, and Garcia was on with a single. I think you can count on one hand the number of 3B who do not make that play. Max’s range is just so limited.
Hudson owned Nick Pratto with a 3 pitch K. Freddie Fermin flew out to Outman. He followed that up with a 4 pitch K against Edward Olivares. Hudson threw 14 pitches, 11 for strikes. Fantastic season debut for Daniel.
Welcome back, Daniel Hudson! pic.twitter.com/gEDwgTHS9G
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 1, 2023
Justin Bruihl gave up a single to Bobby Witt Jr. on another play only a handful of 3B would not have made. Just like Miguel Vargas needs to hit to make up for his deficient 2B play, Max needs to do the same.
While Bobby Miller pitched better in this one than he did in his previous 2 games, he once again could not finish an inning he seemingly had control over. He let his emotions get the better of him. I am sure Mark Prior and Doc Roberts (and maybe Clayton Kershaw) will speak with him and try to get him to settle his emotions. This is exactly why many amateur scouting pundits labeled Miller with more relief risk than without before the draft. He has a 5 pitch repertoire, and a good one, so he is going to get all the opportunities he can to prove he is a top of the rotation SP.
"It felt good. It's just fun to be back out there with the guys down in the bullpen." Daniel Hudson on how it felt being back. pic.twitter.com/Gq1wUxrNzH
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) July 1, 2023
06-30-2023 – MiLB Game Summary Reports
OKC Dodgers 11 – Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston) 2
In a AAA bullpen game, Bryan Hudson started and completed 2 scoreless innings. He allowed a walk and single. Five of the six outs he recorded were via strikeout.
Jake Reed followed with 3.0 IP (1 run), Keegan Curtis with 3.0 IP (no runs), and Wander Suero (1 run). Curtis also had a 5 strikeout night.
The offense scored 11 runs on 19 hits. They scored 9 runs in the first three innings to take an insurmountable lead. They were 9-21 WRISP.
Only David Dahl did not get a hit, although he did reach base via a BB. Ryan Ward was 1-5, but every other starter had at least 2 hits. The big hitter on the night was SS Bryson Brigman who was 5-5 with 2 runs, 4 RBI, 2 doubles (7), and a HR (1). Other offensive numbers:
- Drew Avans – 2-4, 2 BB, 3 R
- Jahmai Jones – 2-5, 1 BB, 4 RBI, 2 doubles (20)
- Michael Busch – 2-5, 1 BB, 1 R, 2 RBI, double (16)
- David Freitas – 2-6
- Devin Mann – 2-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, double (27)
- Patrick Mazeika – 3-4, 1 BB, 2 R
Very good night for OKC.
Tulsa Drillers 7 – Amarillo Sod Poodles (Arizona) 6 – 13 innings
Kyle Hurt started for Tulsa. He allowed a HR and pair of doubles for a 2-0 Amarillo lead.
Tulsa stuck back in the 4th. José Ramos led off with a single. Eddys Leonard tripled (1) and came home on Diego Cartaya’s HR (10). Amarillo tied the score on a passed ball in the 5th. The first of three blown saves on the night.
Tulsa took back the lead in the 7th on a Brandon Lewis double and Austin Gauthier single. A HBP, single, sac bunt and sac fly tied the score again in the 8th. Blown save #2.
A 2nd passed ball was pivotal with the 3rd blown save in the 12th.
With Eddys Leonard the designated runner at 2B in the 13th, he scored on a Diego Cartaya single. Braydon Fisher retired the Sod Poodles with 2 Ks.
- José Ramos – 2-4
- Eddys Leonard – 1-5, 3 R, triple (1)
- Diego Cartaya – 2-6 3 RBI, HR (10)
- Brandon Lewis – 3-6, 2 doubles (5)
Great Lakes Loons 4 – Lansing Lugnuts (A’s) 3 – Game 1
In game one the Lugnuts and Loons scored their first runs off errors. Lansing’s Max Muncy scored after a Daniel Susac groundball misplayed at second in the first inning. Taylor Young advanced on an error at third base. Chris Alleyne’s double set up a Max Hewitt sacrifice fly to left field in the second inning.
Maddux Bruns struck out four across four innings, allowing just three baserunners in his final three innings.
The Lugnuts took the lead in the sixth. Jack Dreyer worked a 1-2-3 fifth but walked Jack Winkler to begin the sixth. Winkler stole second, moved to third base on a single, and advanced home on a 4-6-3 double play.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Loons tallied three runs. Luis Diaz, doubled roping a ball 107 mph to right center field. Chris Newell and Griffin Lockwood-Powell both walked on eight pitches. With the bases loaded and one out, Taylor Young sliced a 1-1 pitch up the third base line, to clear the bases.
Michael Hobbs closed the sixth inning and worked out of a jam in the seventh. Eurbiel Angeles singled, and then Danny Bautista Jr. belted a double off the center field fence. The Lugnuts had the potential tying run on second with no outs. Hobbs came back with a strikeout, including a Clark Elliot RBI groundout to second base, and Max Muncy struck out on three pitches to end the game.
- Taylor Young – 1-3, 3 RBI, double (12)
- Chris Alleyne – double (10)
- Max Hewitt – double (2)
- Luis Yanel Diaz – double (10)
Lansing Lugnuts (A’s) 7 – Great Lakes 5 – Game 2
Great Lakes jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the 3rd. Jake Vogel led off with a BB. Vogel scored on Dalton Rushing’s 15th double. Luis Yanel Diaz hit a 2-run HR (4). Griffin Lockwood-Powell doubled and scored on a Chris Alleyne triple.
Lansing scored 7 runs in the 5th (4 earned) on 4 singles, 2 BB, and three errors.
GL got one back in the 5th on a double, passed ball and sac fly.
- Luis Yanel Diaz – 3-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI, double (11)
- Chris Alleyne – 2-3, double (11), triple (2)
- Dalton Rushing – double (15)
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – double (12)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 8 – Visalia Rawhide (Arizona) 6
The Quakes returned to the win-column on Friday night, holding on for an 8-6 victory over the Visalia Rawhide.
Five different Quakes had multiple hits, helping the Quakes win for the fifth time in their last six games and for the seventh time in nine games on the current home stand.
Jorge Puerta led the way with three hits, while Jose Izarra, Josue De Paula, Luis Rodriguez and Rayne Doncon all had two each, as Rancho posted 12 hits in Friday’s win.
Rodriguez slugged his first homer of the year, a three-run shot in the first, giving the Quakes their first lead of the game at 3-1.
Visalia came back to tie the game against Rancho starter Peter Heubeck, scoring once in the third and again in the fourth.
The Quakes took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth though, as Visalia starter Lorenzo Encarnacion fired a wild pitch, allowing Doncon to score the go-ahead run. Izarra and De Paula followed with two-run hits, opening it up at 8-3.
Christian Romero was credited with the win, as he came on in the fifth and tossed a pair of scoreless innings.
The Rawhide tallied three in the seventh against Quakes’ reliever Reynaldo Yean, tightening it up at 8-6.
Kelvin Bautista worked around a pair of two-out walks in the eighth, before Lucas Wepf tossed a scoreless ninth for his fourth save of the year to end it.
Leading up to the trade deadline:
Given Muncy’s struggles (on base percentage of .322) at the plate do the Dodgers look for a third baseman?
and
do the Dodgers look for a second reliable left hand reliever? Or is Biuhl, Gonzalez or Vesia the answer?
Don’t forget Caleb Ferguson
I assumed he was the reliable one.
I apologize. My mind didn’t read second reliable.
He’s been inconsistent so your not really off point.
An upgrade at 3rd would be helpful. Muncy needs to OPS at least .800 to make keeping him at 3rd a reasonable option.
If the Yanks are willing, Gleyber Torres for Muncy, works for me.
Vesia is not any answer this year.
I wonder if 2B is the long term plan for Vargas or could he move to 3rd if Muncy got moved.
Yeah, Mookie is great. Sure am glad he’s here.
Muncy is going to hit 30+ home runs and have an oWAR over 2. His defense will keep his overall WAR down. Too bad about that. He’s out of place at third, but third is where he is. I’d have switched him and Vargas in ST. He seemed ok at second last year. We have Two DH’s and one is playing third base.
I think our pen might work itself out. Starting pitching is another story. I believe we will add a starter at the end of the month. Who? Ask Friedman.
I would really like to see Mookie at 2B. He’s magic in this spot. They can platoon Vargas and Busch at 3B and have them compete for the job.
I think the idea has merit, but I cannot see AF jettisoning Max this year. He just has too much potential to carry an offense like he did earlier in the year. Will he? I have my doubts, but I would not think that AF/BG are willing to take that chance. Right now, I do not think Max gets his option for 2024, and I do think one of Vargas and Busch is traded, maybe at the deadline, but certainly next winter. I can see Mookie moving to SS and Gavin Lux at 2B in 2024. I can also see that reversed.
I know that AF/BG has invested a lot of time in promoting Vargas and giving him the runway for the 2B job. But if they think that Busch could be a better option, would they be willing to make that switch? This year? The deadline could be a glimpse into the future of their thinking on this.
…….”I can see Mookie moving to SS and Gavin Lux at 2B in 2024. I can also see that reversed.”
I like that!!!
I too have wondered about the switch. Muncy was a decent 2B and Vargas was developed as a 3B. Did the Dodgers perhaps create an issue with trying to put a player, who is clearly on the roster due to his bat, in an uncomfortable position at 2B? Could this have had a negative impact on his psyche whereby his offense is succumbing to the pressure? Maybe you leave the rookie where he is most comfortable? Muncy has negative range at 3B, and maybe the thought was that there was no way he could handle the range needed at 2B. They wanted both bats in the lineup. The least of the negatives? But an offshoot of this may be a hiccup in Vargas’ development.
These are a small sample of the questions I have always wanted to ask AF in a locked room with truth serum and not spin.
These are very good questions. The development of Vargas is very important to the Dodgers future, Muncy’s bat is important to the Dodgers present. Both in my opinion are misplaced defensively. The switch didn’t help either of them.
Watching Max Muncy yesterday, and I realized I’m done with him.
Not because he’s below avg at 3b, or because he’s hitting .190. But because of his girth. For an athlete who is trying to get back to his All Star form, it’s unacceptable for him to have such a fat midsection.
It shows he’s not working hard to be the best he can be. How can looking like Pablo Sandovol do anything but hurt his swing, hurt his defense, etc??
I’m ready to move away from him, whether by getting someone else to play 3b or letting CT3 or Busch play.
Babe Ruth was built kinda like Max. But Ruth didn’t play third base. Tony Gwynn had a large midsection. But Tony never slumped.
I’m still a believer, but not at third base and I know plenty others are fed up. Are we keeping JD for a few years? If so, Max is dispensable. If we are going to trade him let it be pitching we get in return.
Babe played RF girth and all. Max in RF would be adventurous.
The Yankees had two top rated shortstop prospects. Volpe won the job in spring training and is not helping the team so far. Third is not producing either. Adding Muncy might be like what adding Gallo did last year. Once burned…
The broadcasters yesterday said Mookie takes ground balls at third, secon, and short before every game. Just saying.
I no longer venture over to Timmons sight anymore. What is he saying about Vargas nowadays.
I have made a decision to start 3 lefty bats in the outfield regardless of pitcher. That puts Mookie at short or second from here on out. I apologise for not consulting with everyone here first.
I agree with Bobby about Muncy’s girth. He seemed much more girthy in this Colorado series. Maybe it is the altitude.
Who doesn’t notice hornets flying in and out of the ground? I know a guy with 20-10 eyesight that didn’t. Maybe he was buzzed.
Can Urias re-gain his form this season? I certainly hope so. I don’t want to see him giving up HRs again. If the Dodgers don’t think he will be asking for too much money in the off season, should we look for a trade now?
I have said that a few times. It might be too late. I would want something very good for him if he were traded.
I am enjoying the trade Muncy companionship.
Miller might wind up as the key player in a trade.
Remember when people were questioning Betts’ value?
Happy Bobby Bonilla day:
A lovely read to celebrate:
In the DSL, keep a box Scott eye out for Angel Cruz. He was signed out of the D.R. last July, and has put up a 1.88 ERA in his first 14.1 DSL innings, along with leading both Dodgers’ DSL teams in K/9 (16.3).
While in Arizona’s complex league, Sean Linan (Righty) is off to2.51 ERA and 18/5 K/BB over five outings (14.1 IP). an 18 year old from Colombia.
A tremendous performance by Mookie last night along with Freddie’s buddy JH23.
It’s the season’s half way mark and I wanted to give my impression of the Dodger rookies so far this season. With the Dodger system having been ranked #1-3 the past few seasons it was time to see some of these highly touted prospects. I was excited for the 2023 season to watch these rookies integrated into the lineup to see if all the hype was valid or not. Even at the expense of possibly not making the playoffs. My overall grades are based on evaluations vs. actual performance.
Miguel Vargas – He was the player I was looking forward to watch most of all. I loved his swing and initially he looked as if he had the ability to win a batting title or two in his future. The coaching staff was happy with his progress defensively at 2B. Unfortunately, he’s hitting .199 with a .680 OPS. But, his K rate is only 20%. His defense is below average and has limited range at 2B. I feel 3B or OF is in his future.
Grade: D
James Outman – Even though he was considered a top Dodger prospect, James was a surprise addition to the opening day roster and had a terrific first month. The league exposed the holes in his swing and up until recently was striking out at an alarming rate. Up in the zone and down and in seemed like all he saw. His contact has been better of late. Defensively, I think he was overrated and is an average CF. He seems to have trouble reading the ball off the bat and get late jumps. This might be from not being use to the different ballparks. Another OF position is likely.
Grade: C-
Jonny DeLuca – After watching a few of his ABs I was excited about his ability to make contact and drive the ball. DeLuca might provide the RH bat the Dodgers need. He is striking out at only a 16% so far. JDL has played at all three OF spots looks like he has a nice arm with two assists already. For a 25th round selection he could prove to be quite a steal.
Grade: Too soon to grade, but impressed so far.
Michael Busch – I had high expectations for Busch as a hitter. The main issue was where was he going to play defensively. Well, he hasn’t shown much as a hitter so far. Granted he’s only had 51 inconsistent ABs. But, as with many Dodger hitters, the strikeouts come at a plus 30% rate. Can the Dodgers find a future position for Busch? If not, then he might be included in a trade at the deadline. I was hoping he could provide some offense out of the gate, but that didn’t happen. It could have increased his value in a trade.
Grade: Incomplete, but disappointed initially.
I’m going to address the rookie pitching tomorrow as this is getting a bit too lengthy. To bottom line the position rookies I feel they have been overrated by the so called experts up to this point. I believe though all have an excellent futures ahead if they put in the time and hard work. They have the coaching and the best development tools available to them. Baseball is hard. I do not mean to be critical of them. After all, they have no control of how the media and “experts” evaluate them. But, after hearing and reading all the high praise about these prospects I become susceptible to believing the analysis and then am disappointed with the results. The Dodgers haven’t had a position player from the minors come up and immediately succeed since Will Smith five years ago. For a perennial top farm system that is not good. The pitching is much the same.
Finally (I know, it’s about time), my two cents on the Austin Barnes debate from yesterday. I’m as frustrated as anyone with Barnes’s inability to hit a baseball and have a .100 batting average at this point of the season. But, as Jeff D pointed out would you get rid of him for Feduccia for a few extra hits? For example, Barnes so far has 89 ABs with 9 hits and 10 BB to get his .100 average. If he has the same amount of plate appearances in the second half and get 9 additional hits he will bat .200. Nine hits! That’s it. Considering his defensive and familiarity with the staff I don’t think it’s wise to get rid of Barnes. What if Will Smith is out for an extended time or worse is out for the season? Do you really want Feduccia as your possible #1 catcher for the season and postseason? And whoever as a backup? No thanks. He starts about one game a week. If it’s that upsetting then don’t watch when he comes to bat. Maybe, he saving his hitting prowess for the playoffs!
Carry on.
Not sure how you get a .200 average. As you say Barnes strength is handling the pitching staff. I think it’s harder to quantify those benefits hence the complaints.
.200 for the second half of the season with the same ABs (89) and 18 hits. Therefore, nine additional hits in the second half. I could have been more clear.
Thanks, I read it wrong.
I like what I see of Outman in CF. I also like that he is willing to sacrifice power for more contact for now.
Barnes seems to be a perfect backup catcher. Great in the clubhouse and pleases pitchers behind the plate. A better hitter would want more at bats.
Barnes would be much more appreciated if it were not for how many hitters in the lineup that are too near the Mendoza line.
Outman obviously has great potential. He seems to have a complete game except for his SO rate. Vargas needs more incubation. A perfect backup catcher would hit as well as throw out base stealers. FO needs to get off their asses.
Does defense for a catcher include throwing out base stealers? Barnes is miserable at this. I would never include a backup catcher with an inaccurate arm on my team. Smith is mediocre with base stealers, so we don’t need a backup that the opposing teams can lick their lips with anticipation. 10% caught stealing rate! His career BA is .216. I don’t think this is MLB grade playing. A.J. was better in both departments but it was obvious that the position needed upgrading as it does NOW.
Smith is also subpar with throwing out base stealers. We actually suck at this. Fortunately, his bat valuable. We really need to find the future catcher for the team. Smith has only 2 games in his career fielding at 1B and 3B. I don’t understand the fans calling for him to move positionally. I think he’s DH or C in the future. The FO is almost always too slow to make changes.
Mookie is a great player. I just felt he could be better. He has changed his game some since becoming a Dodger. He is more of a power hitter now. I would prefer his BA to be a lot higher, say in the .290’s. He hit .292 his first season in LA, but has been closer to .270 since. His power numbers have climbed each year. He is on pace to hit over 40 homers for the first time in his career. And he is going to participate in the HR derby at the All-Star game. Will the curse of HR derby hit him too??? In his little over 3 years as a Dodger, his stolen base totals are down. He has 39 steals since coming to LA. He stole 72 over his last three years in Boston. He hit’s .291 as a leadoff hitter. He is over .300 in the two and four holes. He is clearly one of the big stars in the majors, but there is still room for improvement. Max Muncy on the other hand is hitting under .200 over his last 200 games. His OPS over that time is under .800 at .745. Time to move on from Max. A new start in a new city might serve him well.
Mookie’s batting average is irrelevant Bear. He’s OPS’n over .900 and his OBP is .370. He’s an All Star leadoff hitter.
I keep saying the same thing here but apparently most either aren’t hearing it or they are not in agreement so let me put it a different way: Atlanta is better than us and isn’t because we can’t hit with them, we can, it’s because we can’t pitch with them. If we don’t improve our pitching we are not going far in the playoffs.
But wait. Atlanta lost their best two SP, Max Fried and Kyle Wright. They have 90 year old Charlie Morton as their #2. How can they possibly have better pitching? 😊
I cannot see how they can possibly pass on Lucas Giolito if he is made available. I also think they should make a play for Jordan Montgomery. I also would not mind if they went back and rectified a mistake they made this past offseason (IMO) by trading for RHRP Chris Martin. CMart is owed $8.75 next year, so it is hard for me to believe AF will trade for a non-rental. We will see who is out of the playoff contention to see what pitchers will be available. I cannot see CWS or St. Louis being in the race, thus Giolito and Montgomery.
Huh? Fried’s been gone a long time and Wright has thrown 18 innings. Atlanta is doing just fine without them.
Or maybe my lanyard is being yanked.
I do agree they will be active at the deadline. They know the Dodgers will be shopping so they will be competitive.
Atlanta seems to be running away with the NL pennant this year.
I love Mookie but he has not been his best since coming to the Dodgers. His BA is way below what he averaged at Boston. He stopped stealing bases. He strikes out more. RBI’s and Runs have also been down. He has major skills like no other Dodger and is a very valuable player for us. I thought he would do better than he has.
Definite Sellers: Detroit, Chicago White Sox, KC, Oakland, Washington, Colorado.
Should be Sellers: Boston, Seattle, Cubs, Pirates, Cardinals.
Fooling themselves: Mets, Padres, Angels.
So, who can we get from this bunch that will make us better?
What has happened to Julio Urias?
Not a superstar
/moron