Dodgers minor league news

Andrew Sopko wins his 8th game, Quakes win 4-1

By Craig Minami Jun 10, 2016, 6:00am PDT

OKC split their double-header, a loss ended Tulsa's ten-game winning streak, Quakes won to keep pace in their division chase, Great Lakes dropped their series finale while only one of the two DSL Dodger teams won.

Player of the day

A year ago, Andrew Sopko was drafted by the Dodgers in the seventh round. A year later, Sopko has pitched at three different levels and it wouldn't be a surprise if he pitches in Tulsa at some point this year. The former Gonzaga pitcher pitched six scoreless innings at Lake Elsinore on Thursday and won his eighth without a defeat.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

The Dodgers and the Sounds (Athletics) split their double-header on Thursday. In the first game, Jharel Cotton had his fourth straight solid start, hurling five innings, allowing two runs, five hits, two walks and struck out seven.

Corey Brown was the offensive star of the first game with two solo home runs.

In the second game that the Dodgers dropped to Sounds by a 4-1 score, the main story was the continuing improvement of rehabbing right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas. Montas started and pitched four innings where he allowed one run, two hits and struck out six.

Also on Thursday, this happened:

This webgem by @Micah_Johnson3 & @cculberson23 is 100% @SportsCenter #SCTOP10 quality! RT if you agree! #ITFDBOKC pic.twitter.com/ApBJgi9ZHN
— OKC Dodgers (@okc_dodgers) June 10, 2016

Double-A Tulsa

The Drillers were beaten 3-1 by the Naturals (Royals) and that put an end to their ten-game winning streak. Tim Shibuya started and gave up two runs (one earned) in five innings of work.

But the main reason the Drillers lost was a rare shutdown of their potent offense. The Drillers only had three hits and two walks and were otherwise shutdown by the Naturals. The Drillers have one more game with the Naturals before starting a big series with Springfield.

Class-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes opened up a weekend series against the Storm (Padres) with a 4-1 win. Andrew Sopko won his California League leading eighth game.

2015 sixth round pick Edwin Rios went 2-for-4 with an RBI, 2014 16th round pick Devan Ahart went 3-for-4.

The Quakes remained one game back of High Desert in their race for the first-half title.

Class-A Great Lakes

The Loons dropped their series finale 5-3 to the WhiteCaps (Tigers). Recent All-Star selection Dennis Santana took another tough loss, he is now 0-8 for the season. Santana pitched six innings, allowed three runs, five hits, one walk and struck out seven.

The Loons started just one player with a batting average higher .240, that would be 2015 21st round pick, catcher Jake Henson who was 2-for-4 on Thursday.

If you want to learn a little more about the Loons and their play-by-play broadcaster Chris Vosters, read Eric Stephen's interview with Chris here.

Dominican Summer League - Dodgers 1 and 2

The highlight of the Dominican Summer League Dodger games was the day that Carlos Rincon had. The outfielder has had a big start to his professional career, yesterday hitting his second home run, a three-run shot. Rincon was 2-for-3 with a home run and five RBI.

Rincon was signed during the current international signing period, the 18-year old outfielder is listed at 6'3" and 190 lbs. In the five games that he has played in, he is 7-for-14 with a .500/.579/1.143 stat line.