Minor League Player of the Day – Dee Gordon (AAA) - 2 for 3, 2 walks, 1 run. It as a relatively quiet day for Dodger prospects, and while Joc Pederson had a solid game, I'm going with Gordon here after he reached base 4 times. Gordon is now hitting .294 for Albuquerque, but the more impressive stat is that he has a 29 to 41 walk to strikeout ratio, which is a big improvement over the last few years.
AAA – The Isotopes scored 3 runs in the first inning but wouldn't touch home again as Albuquerque fell to Oklahoma City (Astros) 4 to 3. Justin Sellers drove in all 3 runs with a bases clearing double, which turned out to be the only extra base hit of the game for the Topes. Dee Gordon, playing 2nd base, had a solid game as he reached base 4 times via 2 singles and a couple of walks. Starter Rob Rasmussen gave up all 4 runs over 5 innings of work, allowing 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6. Angel Castro returned from the DL with 2 scoreless frames of relief.
AA – The Lookouts celebrated their All Star selections with a 5 to 1 win over the Stars (Brewers) on Tuesday. Several players contributed to the victory, including Joc Pederson who went 2 for 5 with a double and his 14th homer of the year. Brian Cavazos-Galvez also doubled and drove in a run, while Jonathan Garcia went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored. On the mound Duke von Schamann permitted just 1 run over 6 innings of 5-hit ball to secure his second win since joining Chattanooga. His bullpen was outstanding as Onelki Garcia, Hector Nelo, and Yimi Garcia all tossed a perfect frame in relief.
HiA – The Quakes won a back and forth game on Tuesday as they defeated the 66ers (Angels) 6 to 5. The rehabbing Carl Crawford got the scoring started with a bases clearing double that gave Rancho the early lead, then the two clubs exchanged runs over the next few frames as starter Angel Sanchez allowed 2 runs over 6 innings. In the 9th, however, closer Eric Eadington couldn't close the door as Inland Empire scored two runs to force extra innings. After the 66ers scored again in the top of the 10th things were looking bleak for the Quakes, but a leadoff homer by Scott Schebler tied the game, then a double by Noel Cuevas put he winning run on 2nd. Two batters later Pratt Maynard punched one up the middle for a walk-off single.
LoA – The Loons finally had their winning streak snapped as Great Lakes fell to the Whitecaps (Tigers) 4 to 3. This game was close until the end as West Michigan didn't score the final run until the top of the 9th, then in the bottom of the inning the Loons had the speedy James Baldwin on 3rd with just one out, but unfortunately they couldn't convert. Aaron Miller went 2 for 4 and crushed his 4th homer of the year, while Leo Rodriguez went 3 for 4. Starter Brandon Martinez allowed just 3 hits and one earned run over 5 innings, although two other unearned runs scored while he was in the game as well. Alan Garcia and Crayton Bare got through the next few innings without any issues, but it was Arismendy Ozoria who gave up the eventual game winning run in the 9th.
Rookie Ogden – The Raptors got crushed on Tuesday as they were tapped by the Rockies 16 to 3. Starter Jonathan Martinez got hit hard early and often as he allowed 9 hits and 6 runs over the 3 innings of work. Michael Johnson came into the game in the 4th and was just as bad as he walked 4 and permitted 6 more runs despite recording just 3 outs. Finally Kyle Hooper gave up the final 4 runs of the game. At the plate for Ogden Kyle Farmer hit a solo homer and Joey Curletta went 2 for 3 wit ha double, but that was about it for the offensive highlights.
Rookie Arizona – The Arizona Dodgers score a first inning run but that was it as they fell to the Rangers 6 to 1. Justin Chigbogu continues to hit well as he went 2 for 4 and drove in the aforementioned run, while Adam Law went 2 for 3 with a double for the club's only extra base hit. On the mound starter Jose De Leon allowed 3 hits, 3 walks, and 2 runs over 3 innings, then Edinson Bock gave up 4 more runs although they were all unearned thanks to a trio of Dodger errors. Three more relievers got through the final 3.1 innings, including Rob Rogers who struck out the side in the 8th.
DSL – This game was suspended due to rain after 4 innings, but the Dominican Dodgers were down 7 - 0 to the Red Sox. All 7 runs were charged to starter Welington Serrano who recorded just one out, although a couple of those runs were unearned.
Coming up – Wednesday should feature some solid pitching as 16 year old Julio Urias throws for the Loons and Ross Stripling takes the mound for the Lookouts. Blake Johnson goes for the Isotopes, Gustavo Gomez gets the ball for the Quakes, and Victor Araujo will be on the bump for Ogden.
Minor League Transactions – AAA: Aaron Laffey opted out of his contract and therefore was released, and to take his spot on the roster the Isotopes activated Angel Castro from the DL. AA/HiA: Despite his struggles Garrett Gould was promoted to AA, and my guess is that the organziation simply wanted to give him a change of scenery. Outfielder Bobby Coyle has been sent back to Rancho. LoA: Joe Winker was placed on the DL while Alan Garcia was activated.
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)
Arizona Dodgers Box Score (Rookie)