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Minor League Player of the Day – Rookie (Arizona), RHP Francisco Martinez, 6 IP, 1 run, 4 hits, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts. 22 year-old Martinez continued his string of strong starts. Martinez's command (22K/4 walks) and low hits allowed total, nine hits in four games, shows that Martinez is ready for a promotion above the Arizona rookie league.
Rehab update: Scott Elbert returned to the mound on Friday night in Rancho Cucamonga. Elbert entered the game in the top of the eighth inning and on ten pitches, he retired the three batters he faced.
Elbert's rehab had been put on hold for a week due to an injury to his toe.
"It was a new injury," Elbert said, "I had not been out on the mound for a while and I got a blister that flared up and it held me up for about a week."
Elbert will work out with the Quakes on Saturday and return to pitch for the Quakes on Monday night. Elbert said that he is working on building up arm strength but only by pitching in games will he be able to get used to game speed.
"Batting practice doesn't simulate a game very well" Elbert said, "I am trying to pitch in as many games as possible to get ready."
After Monday, Elbert will continue his rehab work in Albuquerque as he works toward coming back to the Dodgers. Elbert was in good spirits as he spoke about the work he has done to get back here.
"For everything that I have been through," Elbert said, "I can't ask for anything more than just to be on the mound pitching."
AAA – The Isotopes played a doubleheader on Friday night because the 51s (Mets) wanted to start their All-Star break on Sunday.
In Game 1, the Isotopes scored first but the 51s (Mets) would score and score some more, winning the first game 8-1. Jeff Bennett did pitch a complete game (6 IP, 8 runs, 9 hits, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts) but the game belonged to the 51s. Griff Erickson had two hits and Joc Pederson was one for four with a strikeout.
In Game 2, the 51s took a 2-1 lead but three-run fifth inning gave the Isotopes the lead and eventually the game as the Isotopes defeated the 51s (Mets), 5-2. Carlos Frias started and gave up two runs in his four innings of work. It was the bullpen that won the game, Robert Carson, Paco Rodriguez and Jose Dominguez each pitched scoreless innings, with Carson getting the win and Dominguez picking up the save.
AA – The Lookouts were beaten soundly by the Stars (Brewers) 11-3 on Friday. Matt Shelton and Jarret Martin did not fare well, Shelton started and in his 3 innings, he gave up six runs, six hits, three walks and struck out two. Martin pitched the next 2 innings, he gave up four runs (three earned), four hits, a walk and a strikeout. The Lookouts had four hits, Bobby Coyle, Daniel Mayora, O'Koyea Dickson and Angel Sanchez all had singles.
HiA – A crucial error in the 7th inning led to the Quakes losing back to back games for the first time in weeks as the JetHawks (Astros) came back to defeat the Quakes at Rancho Cucamonga by an 8-5 score. Jharel Cotton started for the Quakes and pitched 6 innings, gave up six runs (four earned), eight hits, two walks and stuck out four.
The Quakes led 5-4 going into the top of the seventh, after a single and a walk, Yasmanys Fernandez replaced Cotton. The first batter Fernandez faced bunted toward third, third baseman Steven Proscia overthrew the ball into right field. Both runners scored and the batter reached third base. The next batter hit a sacrifice fly to score the third run of the inning. So instead of just a tie game, the JetHawks took the lead.
Earlier in the game, Chris Jacobs hit a two-run home run to start the scoring and Corey Seager had a key two-run double that temporarily gave the Quakes a 5-3 lead.
Seager and Julio Urias are scheduled to fly out to Minneapolis on Saturday for the MLB Futures Game. Although Urias will be back with the team on Monday, Seager was given permission to stay and attend the All-Star Game on Tuesday to see his brother Kyle play for the AL squad. Seager is expected to be back in a Quakes' uniform on Thursday though that could always change.
LoA – In a day that saw a few one-sided scores against the Dodger minor league affiliates, the Loons attempt to move over .500 was turned away by a 14-3 Captains (Cubs) victory over the Loons. Greg Harris started and he gave up six runs in his 3 innings, Michael Johnson gave up two runs in 2 innings, Jordan Hershiser and Mark Pope each gave up three runs in 1 inning of work. Jacob Rhame was only Loon pitcher to have a scoreless outing. Joey Curletta and Josmar Cordero each had two hits.
Rookie Ogden – In a rare Pioneer League pitching duel, the Raptors came out on the wrong end of a 1-0 game as the Voyagers (White Sox) made their first inning score hold up for the win. Dodger 2014 fourth round pick Jeff Brigham made his first start for the Raptors. Brigham pitched 3 innings, gave up two hits and one walk. Unfortunately one of the hits was a solo home run that provided the winning run for the Voyagers.
Dodger 2014 11th round pick A.J. Vanegas pitched in his fourth game, he gave up his first two hits and he struck out two. Vanegas has struck out five in his four innings of work this season.
Rookie Arizona – The Dodgers benefited from two runs scoring on a passed ball and an error and another run scoring on a wild pitch in their 5-2 win over the Angels. As noted above, Francisco Martinez pitched a solid game. 2014 37th round pick Karch Kowalczyk got his third save of the season, Kowalczyk struck out two in his inning of work.
Alex Verdugo hit his second home run of the season. Alex Guerrero continued his rehab, Guerrero went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
DSL – A ninth inning run provided the winning margin in the Dodgers 3-2 win over the Athletics. Robert Fernandez pitched 6 innings and allowing only four hits while striking out three. Dennis Santana picked up his second save.
Coming up – Jonathan Martinez starts for the Loons at 4:00 p.m. PT; Chris Reed takes the hill for the Lookouts at 4:15 p.m.; J.D. Underwood toes the rubber for the Raptors at 6:05 p.m.; Drew Carpenter makes his third start for the Isotopes, first pitch 7:05 p.m.; Tom Windle will try to return the Quakes to their winning ways at 7:05 p.m.; Arizona and the Dominican Dodgers also play on Saturday.
Minor League Transactions – AAA: RHP Steve Smith was placed on the 7-day disabled list. HiA: LHP Scott Elbert was assigned to Rancho Cucamonga to begin rehab. Rookie: IF Cody Bellinger was assigned from Ogden to Arizona to begin rehab.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score - Game 1 (AAA)
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score - Game 2 (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)