Dodgers 8/31/12 Minor League Report - Isotopes Move Closer to Playoff Spot as Magic Number Drops to 2

Minor League Player of the Day – Pedro Guerrero (LoA) - 2 for 4, 2 HR's, 4 RBI's. While Bobby Abreu went a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate, he didn't have an extra base hit so I gave the award to Guerrero after he hit a pair of homers. As I've mentioned before Pedro isn't much of a prospect, but he has a big game every now and then to get some recognition.

AAA – The Isotopes finally broke their losing streak on Friday as they defeated the Storm Chasers (Royals) 11 to 3. Starter Stephen Fife won his 11th game of the year by allowing just 1 earned run over 7 frames, giving up 6 hits and walking just 1. Erick Threets got out of the 8th without issue, then Tim Corcoran finished off the victory despite giving up a run in relief. At the plate Bobby Abreu went 4 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored, while Scott Van Slyke doubled and drove in a pair of runs. Elian Herrera also knocked in a pair to give the Isotopes the lead they needed to pull out the win.

AA – The playoff bound Lookouts defeated the Barons (White Sox) 6 to 5 on Friday thanks to a strong pitching performance from Chattanooga. Starter Duke von Schamann allowed just 3 hits and 1 run over 5 frames, and won his first AA game in his first Southern League start even though he didn't strikeout a batter. Francisco Felix did not allow a run his 2012 AA debut, while the Boston bound Rubby De La Rosa gave up 3 runs without recording an out. Jose Dominguez pitched the final 2 frames and struck out 5 of the 6 batters he faced to record his first Southern League save of the year. Nick Buss was the leader at the plate as he went 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI's, while Joe Becker went a perfect 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored and a walk. J.T. Wise had the only other extra base hit as he doubled and walked twice.

HiA – The Quakes scored 3 runs in the 9th on Friday, then held on for a 8 - 7 win over the Blaze (Reds). Chris Jacobs' homer in the final frame capped a 3-run 9th for Rancho, but before that it was Joc Pederson who plated a pair to tie the game. Austin Gallagher went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI's, although Yasiel Puig had his second 0 for 4 game in a row. Starter Jon Michael Redding allowed 3 runs (1 earned) and struck out 8 over 5.2 frames, while Yimi Garcia gave up 2 unearned runs. Eric Eadington technically blew the save in the 8th and allowed 2 runs in the 9th, but he still recorded the win.

LoA – The Loons lost to the Dragons (Reds) 7 to 6 on a walk-off double which broke the team's 3 game win streak. Geoff Brown took the loss by allowing the game winning run, but prior to his appearance the recently promoted Victor Arajuo started the contest and gave up 5 runs (3 earned) over 5 frames. At the plate 2nd baseman Pedro Guerrero connected on a pair of homers and drove in 4 runs, while lead-off man Darnell Sweeney had two hits and a pair of RBI's. O'Koyea Dickson also had a two-bagger during his 2 for 4 night and has apparently broken out of his slump and his now hitting .277 for the season.

Rookie Ogden – The Raptors can't win them all, and on Friday Ogden fell to the Chukars (Royals) 12 to 5. The recently promoted Jonathan Martinez got touched up for 6 hits and 5 runs in his Pioneer League debut, while Michael Drown permitted 4 runs to score in relief. Riley Welch also allowed a trio of runs, and he left the contest before Derek Cone calmed the storm. At the plate Jose Capellan went 2 for 5 with a double and a pair of RBI's, but that was it for the offense as nobody else had more than one base knock. Bladimir Franco was the only other batter to drive in a run.

Arizona Dodgers - Season over

DSL – Season over

Coming up – The Isotopes will put their faith in Will Savage as the takes the mound for the Isotopes, while Ryan Acosta will start for the Quakes. Lindsey Caughel will throw for the Raptors, while the other starting pitchers are TBD.

Minor League Transactions – AAA: Tyler Ogle was promoted to the Isotopes to take the place of Tim Federowicz. Also Luis Vasquez was placed on the DL while Ramon Troncoso was activated from the inactive list. Ogden: Since the Arizona Dodger season has now ended, the Raptors have been provided with reinforcements as Jonathan Martinez, Miguel Sulbaran, Zachary Bird, Riley Welch, Travis Jones, and Paul Hoenecke were assigned to Ogden. To make room for these players, Sawil Gonzalez, Jharel Cotton, and Jake Hermsen were removed from the Raptor roster.

Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)

Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)

Great Lakes Loons Box Score (LoA)

Ogden Raptors Box Score (Rookie)

Minor League Central - Daily Dodger Recap