Julio Urias shines in his 2016 PCL debut, Dodgers win 4-0

Monday night saw the 2016 PCL debut of the Dodgers best pitching prospect, an expected offensive explosion by the Tulsa Drillers but from not the usual suspects and a solid start from a Dodgers 2015 draft pick.

Player of the day

Oklahoma City pitcher Julio Urias made his 2016 debut and did not disappoint.  Urias pitched five innings and he scattered four hits and struck out nine.  Oklahoma City continued their strong pitching performances, one pass through their rotation saw a 0.78 ERA in 46 innings pitched from starters and relievers combined.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

As noted, the Dodgers have had great pitching in their first five games, on Monday night Oklahoma City blanked the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) 4-0.  Julio Urias, Matt West, Sean Burnett and Chin-Hui Tsao combined to allow only six hits while striking out 16 with no walks.

Rob Segedin hit his second home run of the season and Brandon Hicks got a key two-out double to drive in two runs.

Double-A Tulsa

The Tulsa Drillers batters had 17 hits which help lead to a 10-1 victory over the San Antonio Missions (Padres).  Willie Calhoun had three of those hits (all singles) but it was catcher Kyle Farmer and shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena that had the big days at the plate, each hitting two home runs.  Farmer also tripled.

Four Driller pitchers allowed eight hits but just one run.  One other possible reliever to keep your eye on, 2010 second round pick Ralston Cash made 50 relief appearances in 2015 and so far this season, Cash has struck out eight in two innings pitched.

Class-A Rancho Cucamonga

Rancho Cucamonga took the first game of their series against Inland Empire (Angels) 2-1, scoring the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth.  Josh Sborz made his season debut as starter for the Quakes and pitched 5⅔ shutout innings, Sborz struck out three, and allowed two hits and two walks.

Andrew Toles continued his hot start, his lead off triple in the eighth and a sacrifice fly by Tim Locastro drove home the go-ahead run.  Matt Beaty and Kyle Garlick joined Toles with each having two hits.

Class-A Great Lakes

The Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres) scored two runs in the seventh inning to break a 2-2 tie and they went on to defeat the Great Lakes Loons 4-2.  Luis Tejada hit the two-run home run that gave the TinCaps their winning margin.

Isaac Anderson started for the Loons and he allowed two runs in five innings, the Loons had scored first to give them an early lead.  But the bullpen gave up four runs after Anderson departed.

The Loons did not have a great day at the plate, not only did they go 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position, the Loons struck out 12 times without a single walk.

Transactions

Triple-A: Infielder Micah Johnson was optioned to Oklahoma City, left-handed pitcher Sean Burnett assigned to Oklahoma City, first baseman O'Koyea Dickson placed on the seven-day disabled list, and right-handed pitcher Johan Diaz sent to extended spring training. ... Double-A: Right-handed pitcher Dustin Richardson sent from Oklahoma City to Tulsa, and right-handed pitcher Logan Bawcom placed on 7-day disabled list. ...

Monday scores

Oklahoma City 4, Memphis 0

Tulsa 10, San Antonio 1

Rancho Cucamonga 2, Inland Empire 1

Fort Wayne 4, Great Lakes 2

Tuesday schedule

3:05 p.m. - Fort Wayne (Walker Lockett) at Great Lakes (Andrew Sopko)

4:35 p.m. - Oklahoma City (Zach Lee) at Memphis (Deck McGuire)

5:05 p.m. - Tulsa (Chase De Jong) at San Antonio (Fabio Castillo)

7:05 p.m. - Inland Empire (Jake Jewell) at Rancho Cucamonga (Trevor Oaks)