Dodgers minor league news

Quakes & Loons clinch playoff spots

The Quakes and Loons both clinched playoff spots on Saturday in their penultimate game of the first half of their seasons

By Brandon Lennox Jun 21, 2015, 6:00am PDT

Brandon Dixon homered in his return to Rancho

It was the busiest minor league day of the year so far as the Arizona Dodgers opened their season and the organization had eight games played on Saturday.

Player of the day

Several players could have won this award on Saturday, but Michael Medina took the prize with a 2-for-4 effort that included a triple and two RBI's. While he's played just three games in the young season, the 18 year old already has five hits and six RBI's this year.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City Dodgers continued to dominate the Pacific Coast League with a 8-3 win over the Redbirds (Cardinals) on Saturday. Left fielder Scott Schebler led the way by going 3-for-4 with two RBI's, while Austin Barnes and O'Koyea Dickson also drove in a pair of runs each. Chris Heisey only had one hit in his return to OKC, but he managed to score three runs.

On the mound the rehabbing Paco Rodriguez got the start and struck out the side despite allowing a hit and a walk during his inning of work. Eric Surkamp got the win in relief after punching out seven batters over six frames.

Finally it should be noted that Hector Olivera was pulled from this game in the sixth inning after going 0-for-4 and pulling up lame on a ground-out to shortstop. Corey Seager also had a quiet game as he was 1-for-5 with one run scored.

Double-A Tulsa

The Drillers and Travelers (Angels) completed their series with their second straight double header on Saturday, but unfortunately for Tulsa they got swept.

Eric Stults pitched a seven-inning complete game loss in for Tulsa to start their day, allowing just three hits and two runs. The Drillers managed just three hits in their first game loss, with Lars Anderson driving in the only run.

In game two Tulsa scored three early runs, but they still managed to fall to Arkansas 5-3. Leadoff man Ronald Torreyes was 2-for-4 with a couple of doubles, but he didn't drive in a run and only scored once. Lars Anderson and Brian Burgamy both drove in a run, but it was to no avail in the long run. On the mound starter Rudy Owens took the loss after allowing seven hits and five runs over five frames.

Class-A Rancho Cucamonga

Tyler Ogle and new-comer Brandon Dixon both hit late homers as the Quakes devoured the Rawhide (Dbacks) 5-2. Ogle's 13th long ball of the season moved him to within a few of the league lead and ranks first on the club. Dixon's was his first since rejoining the Quakes and really contributed to the victory

On the mound starter Luis De Paula was solid as he allowed just two runs over four innings of work. Four different relievers shutout the opposition over the final five frames, with Ramon Benjamin picking up his fourth save of the season.

Low Class-A Great Lakes

The Loons fell to the Lugnuts (Blue Jays) 8-2 on Saturday, but they still managed to clinch a 1st half playoff spot thanks to a loss by the Lake County Captains. After a rough start to their season, Great Lakes got on a roll starting in mid-May, and the payoff was a playoff birth. Going back to Saturday, starter Kevin Guzman got hit hard as he allowed eight hits and four runs over five frames. Bubby Rossman and Karch Kowalczyk both gave up a couple of runs in relief during the loss.

At the dish catcher Julian Leon tried to rebound from a rough start to his season by going 2-for-4 with a couple of doubles. Mike Ahmed was a perfect 3-for-3 with a two bagger and a run scored, while Alex Verdugo also had three hits including a double.

Rookie Ogden

The Raptor pitching got hit hard early as Ogden fell to Orem (Angels) 9-6. Starter Jairo Pacheco allowed five of the runs in this game, although only two runs were earned. M.J. Villegas permitted two scores over the next three frames while Coiln Hering permitted the final two runs of the game.

On offense Michael Medina continued the hot start to his season with a 2-for-4 game that included a triple and two RBI's. 2015 4th round pick Willie Calhoun was 3-for-5. while Scott De Jong and Nick Dean both homered in the defeat.

Rookie Arizona

The Arizona Dodgers won their opening game with a 9-6 victory over the White Sox. The Dodgers scored six of their runs in the first two frames then held on for the win. 2015 28tth round pick Kyle Garlick was 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored while Ariel Sandoval connected on two hits and knocked in a pair.

On the mound Angel German walked four over four frames but also did not allow a run while Dennys Chica actually picked up the win despite permitting a four runs in relief. The rehabbing James Campbell picked up the save while striking out a pair.

DSL Dodgers

The Dominican Dodgers scored seven runs in the eighth inning on Saturday as they defeated the Reds 9-5. Shortstop Cristian Santana was a perfect 3-for-3 with a couple of doubles and two walks, increasing his batting average to .356 for the season. Second baseman Jeffery Souffont also had three hits during the big win for the Dodgers.

On the mound starter Celis Flames allowed just one hit over four innings of work, but reliever Wally Vrolijk actually picked up the win in relief despite allowing a run. Edward Perez punched out four over the final two frames to secure the victory.