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In what was probably the best day of the year for the Dodger minor league affiliates, four of the five teams scored double digit runs in their victories, and the one team that didn't (the Loons) shutout the opposition.
Player of the day
At least five different players deserved this award on Sunday, but I'm giving Willie Calhoun the nod after he went 3-for-5 with two homers and a double. The second baseman's power numbers had stalled recently, with one long ball in a 17-game stretch, but with his two homers on Sunday he still ranks second in the Texas League with 25 big flies.
@11WillieCalhoun is chasing history. His 2 HR in Sunday's put him 8 away from tying the Drillers record(33) #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/MKheaX5yd3
— Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) August 14, 2016
Triple-A Oklahoma City
The Dodgers put a pounding on the Chihuahuas (Padres) as OKC defeated El Paso 13-2. Charlie Culberson and Jack Murphy provided more than half of the RBI for the Dodgers offense as Culberson connected on a three-run homer and a two-run double, while Murphy had three well timed singles. Brandon Hicks also went deep, while Yasiel Puig reached base three times and scored two runs.
Starter Logan Bawcom threw very well as he scattered four hits over six frames and allowed just one run. Luis Avilan threw a scoreless inning of relief while Ralston Cash gave up a run after the game was well in hand.
Double-A Tulsa
In addition to player of the day Calhoun's big day, Jacob Scavuzzo also pitched in to help the Drillers defeat the RoughRiders (Rangers) 11-3. Scavuzzo connected on his ninth homer of the season, a three-run job, and also doubled to bring his season OPS back up over the .700 mark.
Seth Frankoff got the win for Tulsa with six solid innings of his own, permitting just six hits and one run. The only negative as that Joshua Sborz struggled a bit in relief, giving up late two-run homer.
Class-A Rancho Cucmoanga
The Quakes matched a season high with 17 runs and pounded out 21 hits in a 17-8 victory over Visalia (D-backs). Yusniel Diaz was the star of this game as he had a career high four hits and six RBI. Three of those runs batted in came on a bases clearing double, and another two game on his sixth homer of the season. Matt Beaty had the second highest RBI total with a three-run jack, while Erick Mejia had three hits, two RBI, and three runs scored.
On the mound starter Tim Shibuya got into immediate trouble as he allowed three first inning runs, but after that he flew through the next five frames and picked up the win thanks to his offense. Adam Liberatore had a little bit of trouble in his first rehab appearance as he gave up three hits and two runs, and he'll likely have at least one more outing with Rancho.
The only bad news for the Quakes was that Johan Mieses, who had been on fire after homering in four straight games, left the game after the top of the first inning after leaping against the outfield wall in an attempt to make a catch. His status going forward is unknown at this point.
Class-A Great Lakes
The Loons were the only Dodger minor league affiliate to score less than 10 runs on Sunday, but they didn't need it as their pitching staff combined for a 3-0 shutout of the Captains (Indians). Caleb Ferguson won his first game of the season for Great Lakes after tossing six scoreless frames. Ferguson allowed just four hits, and walked only one. Tony Gonsolin followed with two shutout innings, then Shea Spitzbarth closed the door for his third save of the season.
The Loons did not record an extra base hit in this game, and actually collected just one RBI as a team. Omar Estevez went 3-for-4 and scored a run, while Logan Landon had two base knocks and recorded the aforementioned RBI.
Rookie-level Ogden
The Raptors poured it on early as they scored 14 runs after just three innings, and ended up defeating the Mustangs (Reds) 15-9. Six different Ogden hitters had multi-hit games, starting with Mitchell Hansen who continued his great season with a perfect night, collecting two singles, a double, and a homer while finishing with four RBI. Brandon Montgomery also had a perfect night at the plate and four runs batted in thanks to a homer and a double of his own, while Cody Thomas clubbed two long balls to give him 10 for the season.
Despite the win the pitching staff struggled, starting with Austin French who gave up give runs in just three innings of work. Josh Kimborowicz picked up the win four decent innings or relief work, although he permitted three runs of his own.
Transactions
Triple-A: Brock Stewart was promoted back to Los Angeles. Class-A: Adam Liberatore was assigned to the Quakes on a rehab assignment.
Sunday scores
Rancho Cucamonga 17, Visalia 8
Monday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT - Great Lakes (Imani Abdullah) at Lansing (Angel Perdomo)
5:05 p.m. - El Paso (Carlos Pimentel) at Oklahoma City (Trevor Oaks)
6 p.m. - Great Falls (Yosmer Solozano) at Ogden (Rob McDonnell)
7:05 p.m. - Rancho Cucamonga (Wes Helsabeck) at Modesto (Ryan Castellani)