Dodgers minor league news

Drillers regain first-half division lead behind big offense

By David Hood Jun 16, 2016, 8:00am PDT

Willie Calhoun homered as part of a Drillers onslaught on the Arkansas Travelers

Tulsa regained control of the Texas League North Division with five games to play on a night for big offense on the farm.

Player of the day

Andrew Toles led the charge for the Drillers' offense with five hits in six at bats, including a triple and double with two runs and two RBI. Toles upped his Double A batting average to .313 amidst a six game hitting streak, and he's hitting .400 over his last ten days. With a .313/.338/.531 slash line and thirteen steals in fifteen attempts, Toles is putting himself in contention for a second half call up, or at worst, a September audition as a late inning pinch runner.

Stay hot Andrew Toles! His last 3 games (11X16) .688 average with 2 triples 3 doubles and 5 RBIS. He was (5X6) Wednesday in Little Rock!
— Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) June 16, 2016

Triple-A Oklahoma City

A costly error by Michael Johnson in the twelfth inning led to a Dodgers' 6-5 loss to the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals). Frankie Montas had an uneven start, throwing four innings and allowing two runs on six hits and four strikeouts as Montas' continues to build arm strength in hopes of an eventual recall to the major leagues. Jacob Rhame kept the Dodgers in the game late with three scoreless innings of relief before Logan Bawcom took the loss in the twelfth over an unearned run.

Charlie Culberson had a pair of doubles in six at bats for the offense, while Brandon Hicks also went two for six with a home run. James Ramsey was the only Dodgers starter to not strikeout on the even, as the offense stalled out on seventeen strikeouts over twelve innings.

Double-A Tulsa

The Drillers pounded out eighteen hits in route to a big 10-3 victory over the Arkansas Travelers (Angels) that put them one half game ahead in the North standings. Toles led the way with five hits, while Willie Calhoun went two for four with five RBI on the evening, one coming off his thirteenth home run of the season. Paul Hoenecke and Adam Law each contributed three hits and two runs apiece.

Chase De Jong won his seventh game of the season for Tulsa, allowing three runs (one earned) over six innings, while striking out six. Michael Johnson and Joe Broussard combined to close the door on the Trav's with three scoreless innings in relief.

High Class-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes were drubbed for fourteen hits in a 13-2 loss to the Lancaster Jethawks (Astros). Yaisel Sierra allowed eight runs on ten hits and two walks in five innings, falling to 4-4 and raising his ERA to 7.13 on the season. Felipe Gonzalez didn't fare much better, surrendering five runs in just two and a third innings of relief work.

Devan Ahart went one for four with a double, the Quakes only extra base hit of the evening. The Quakes offense could only muster seven base runners, while striking out eleven times.

The Quakes did receive some good news with Andrew Sopko deservedly earning a nod to join the California League All Star team.

Low Class-A Great Lakes

The Loons split a pair of games with the Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays) Wednesday, including a near no hitter in game two. The Loons dropped game one 10-1, with Brendon Davis the lone bright spot for the offense with a one for three performance with a double. Brendon Davis has hit .311 in June as he begins to thaw out from the cool Spring start. Isaac Anderson took the loss in game one, allowing six runs in two innings.

The Loons' offense fared better in game two, leading to a 6-3 win. Ariel Sandoval went two for four and hit his tenth home run of the season. Omar Estevez also went two for four with a double and triple. Chris Powell pitched four scoreless innings in his first spot start of the season.

There still has not been a no-hitter in #Loons history. But we came close last night. https://t.co/6au9XIomLP pic.twitter.com/Se26kgZiKQ
— Great Lakes Loons (@greatlakesloons) June 16, 2016

Dominican Summer League Dodgers 1 and 2

The DSL Dodgers 2 defeated the DSL Phillies 3-2. 2015 signee Ronny Brito went one for four.

The DSL Mariners 1 defeated the DSL Dodgers 1 2-1. Jose Chacin pitched five scoreless innings, striking out six.

Transactions

Triple A: Jacob Rhame was activated from the temporary inactive list, with Jordan Schafer being reassigned to the Tulsa Drillers.

Double A: The Drillers placed Alex Burgos and Scott Griggs on the seven day disabled list. Drew Maggi was activated from the inactive list to take one of the roster openings.

High A: Adam Bray earned a call up to Rancho Cucamonga from Great Lakes. Yusniel Diaz freed up a roster spot by going on the seven-day disabled list.

Low A: With Bray heading to High A, Ivan Vieitez was activated from the seven day disabled list.