Trevor Oaks solid in Tulsa debut, Julian Leon stays hot

Offense was at a premium Wednesday, as three affiliates combined for six runs but managed two wins on the back of strong starting pitching performances.

Player of the day

Julian Leon is off to an impressive start to the 2016 season.  Leon hit his fifth and sixth double of the year, the second one driving in the winning run in the tenth inning Wednesday.  After hitting .201 last year at Great Lakes, Leon is approaching the end of the first month of the season with a .316 average after a three hit game.  It's still early, and California League environments are better for hitters than the Midwest League, but Leon's prospect status appears on the rebound a level higher.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City was off today for travel.  They continue their road trip Thursday in Omaha with Julio Urias on the mound.

Double-A Tulsa

Trevor Oaks was the standout in his Double A debut, leading the Drillers to a 2-1 victory over the Arkansas Travelers (Angels) Wednesday afternoon.  Oaks went six innings, striking out four while walking one.  Notably, Oaks continues to keep the ball on the ground, with an eleven to one ground out to air out ratio.  Rob Rogers earned his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning.

Jacob Scavuzzo hit his third home run of the season, going one for three.  Kyle Farmer added a double as the only other Driller with an extra base hit, going one for three as well.  Brandon Trinkwon would also go two for four with one run driven in.

Class-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes needed an extra inning to win a pitcher's duel 2-1 in ten against the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels).  Josh Sborz was stellar in six innings, striking out six, walking one, and allowing the 66ers only run of the game.  Kyle Hooper, Luis De Paula, and Scott Griggs combined for four one hit innings to allow the offense to come back in the later innings.

That offense primarily came from Julian Leon, who went three for four with two doubles, one run scored, and another driven in.  Andrew Toles went one for four with his eighth steal of the season as he continues to show a positive offensive skill set while rehabbing his prospect status.

Low Class-A Great Lakes

The Loons struggled for offense in a 4-2 defeat to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers).  Nick Dean provided most of the offense with a two for four day including his second home run of the season.  Jordan Paroubeck singled and scored the only other Loons run.  Edwin Rios also had a single and has had hits in three of his first four games since joining the team.

Isaac Anderson was solid in his start, going five innings, striking out five and allowing two  runs.  Alex Hermeling took the loss after allowing two hits and walking two for one run in the sixth inning.

Transactions

Double A: Trevor Oaks was formerly added to the Double A roster ahead of his start.  To make room on the roster, Felipe Gonzalez was added to the seven day disabled list.

High A: With Oaks in Tulsa, Yaisel Sierra was reassigned to Rancho Cucamonga, where he will make his professional debut stateside Saturday night.  Additionally, Jeff Malm was added to the roster, with A. J. Vanegas heading to the seven day disabled list.

Tuesday box scores

Tulsa 2, Arkansas 1

Rancho Cucamonga 2, Inland Empire 1 in 10 innings

Wisconsin 4, Great Lakes 2

Thursday schedule

10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Dennis Santana) at Wisconsin (Conor Harber)

4:35 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Julio Urias) at Omaha (Miguel Almonte)

5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Scott Barlow) vs. Arkansas (Blayne Weller)

7:05 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Andrew Sopko) at Inland Empire (Jake Jewell)