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OKLAHOMA CITY — The Dodgers won their sixth straight game and the Quakes got a much needed win before the last series of the first half against the JetHawks. The Quakes are in a tough spot, needing to win all four to win the division outright, three of four would set up a tie-breaker game and anything else, the JetHawks win the division.
In other games, both of the Dominican Summer League teams each won, the Drillers and Loons both loss.
Player of the day
Wilmer Font won his second game in June as he pitched six scoreless innings on Wednesday that the Dodgers would eventually win 10-3. Font gave up three hits and one walk while striking out seven.
In three starts in June, Font has pitched 18 innings and has struck out 25 against walking just two hitters. While Font has always struck out hitters and his batting average against this year matches his career numbers, he is doing one thing different, his walk rate is much lower.
The trend started last season but this year, Font is striking out many more hitters. Font talked about the one thing that has made him successful this season.
“Command, command is the key,” Font said, “command of the fastball and be able to throw the curveball and slider for strikes.”
“I throw my curveball for first pitch strike, that gives me a better look on my fastball later in the count.”
Veteran catcher Bobby Wilson agrees that Font’s ability to command all of his pitches plus where Font is locating the pitches is a big key.
“That’s kind of what he does,” Wilson says “throw a breaking ball for a strike early and then kind of expand up in the zone with his fastball later.”
“[Font] being able to pitch up in the zone and miss barrels up in the zone is big for him.”
Manager Bill Haselman said that when Font gets first pitch curveballs for strikes like he did today, it makes his fastball better. Haselman also said, Font’s mindset is another key to his success.
“I think aggressively, he’s just attacking guys and believing in himself, Haselman said, “just going after them with his fastball, his fastball has got really good life, good carry on it and the other hitters have a real tough time catching up with it.”
Triple-A Oklahoma City
The Dodgers enjoyed their brunch time game against the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) as they won 10-3 behind Wilmer Font’s pitching and another big game by the offense.
Two big two-out hits turned the game into a rout in the sixth inning. Leading 3-0, the Dodgers loaded the bases but then the next two hitters struck out. Bobby Wilson would then single in two and Alex Verdugo followed with a three-run homer to make it 8-0 and game over.
Eight Dodgers scored at least one run, eight Dodgers had at least one hit. The win continues a season-long six-game win streak.
Double-A Tulsa
The Drillers saw the NW Arkansas Naturals (Royals) score eight runs in one inning and they could never catch up, losing 9-6. The loss drops the Drillers one-game behind the Naturals in the race for the first half division title.
Isaac Anderson fell to 0-8, he started and pitched 3⅔ innings and gave up six runs.
Edwin Rios, Johan Mieses and Jacob Scavuzzo each had two hits in the loss.
Class-A Rancho Cucamonga
The Quakes defeated the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) 10-1 behind a strong seven-inning effort by Dennis Santana. Following a scoreless rehab appearance by Sergio Romo, Santana pitched seven innings, gave up three hits, a run, and walked two. Santana struck out eight 66ers.
A two-run homer by DJ Peters and a three-run homer by Victor Roache paced the Quakes scoring efforts. Other good efforts include Yusniel Diaz who went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI, Luke Raley had two hit game, he also scored three runs.
Class-A Great Lakes
The Loons faced a very good rehabbing Homer Bailey in their game against the Dayton Dragons (Reds) and since the Loons did not have a rehabbing Adrian Gonzalaz in their lineup, the Loons were the 4-2 losing team.
Just to explain the Gonzalez reference, Gonzalez has hit six home runs in 26 plate appearances against Bailey. It is most home runs hit off Bailey by one player.
Homer Bailey pitched six scoreless innings, he gave up a hit but nothing much else as Bailey got the win.
Jordan Sheffield started for Loons, he gave up all four runs (two earned) in five innings.
Transactions
Class-A: Los Angeles sent right-handed pitcher Sergio Romo on a rehab assignment to Rancho Cucamonga.
Wednesday’s Scores
Rancho Cucamonga 10, Inland Empire 1
Thursday Schedule
3:30 p.m. PT: Tulsa (TBD and David Hale) vs. NW Arkansas (Ashton Goudeau and TBD)
4:00 p.m.: Great Lakes (TBD) at Dayton (Tony Santillan)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Justin Masterson) vs. Omaha (Jonathan Dziedzic)
7:05 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Adam Bray) vs. Lancaster JetHawks [Rockies] (Trey Killian)