Dodgers minor league news

Quakes win 7-2 behind Devin Smeltzer and hot offense

Smeltzer pitches seven strong innings, Keibert Ruiz hit his first home run for the Quakes

By Craig Minami Jul 15, 2017, 6:00am PDT

A tough day for the Dodger affiliates, tough one-run losses for Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and in their games, Great Lakes and Ogden fell behind and could not catch up. But both Rancho Cucamonga and AZL Dodgers pulled out wins. Both DSL teams had their games rained out.

Player of the day

Devin Smeltzer bounced back from not getting out of the first inning in his last start to pitching seven innings on Friday. Smeltzer scattered nine hits and a walk, he allowed only one run and he struck out eight.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

The Dodgers had come back to take a two-run lead to the ninth but could not hold on as New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins) scored three runs to win 11-10.

With two out and a runner on, PCL All-Star Madison Younginer gave up back-to-back home runs to surrender three runs in the ninth inning.

Scott Barlow had started this game and he did not pitch well as he gave up eight runs in two innings.

New arrival Todd Cunningham had three hits including a double with an RBI and two walks, Alex Verdugo went 2-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a walk. Willie Calhoun went 1-for-2 with four walks.

Double-A Tulsa

The Drillers dropped a tough one as the NW Arkansas Naturals (Royals) scored in the twelfth to win 2-1. With the bases loaded and one out, Samir Duenez hit a sacrifice fly to right to win the game.

Prior to that, the Naturals had not scored for eleven innings as three relievers had each pitched two scoreless innings apiece to put the game into extra-innings.

This was the type of game that would drive you crazy, the Drillers had 15 hits and left 16 runners on. Jose Miguel Fernandez and Quincy Latimore each had three hits, Errol Robinson, Matt Beaty, Erick Mejia and Garrett Kennedy all had two hits apiece.

Class-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes gave up a run in the first but then went on to defeat the San Jose Giants 7-2 at LoanMart Field. It was their third straight over the Giants and they will go for a series sweep later today.

Devin Smeltzer held down the Giants, giving up a run in seven innings. He gave up nine hits, one walk and struck out eight.

Johan Mieses, Keibert Ruiz, Ibandel Isabel, and Zach McKinstry each had two hits, Ruiz hit his first California League home run.

Class-A Great Lakes

The Loons and A.J. Alexy gave up four runs in the first inning and that was enough for Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers) to hold on for a 5-3 win. The Loons scored all three runs in the bottom of the ninth but it was too little, too late.

For Alexy, the five runs he gave up in four innings and the four walks, tied a season high. Vinny Santarsiero and Nolan Long combined to pitch five scoreless innings in relief.

Cristian Santana went 2-for-3 and is hitting .405/.419/.500 in 11 games with the Loons.

Rookie-Level Ogden

The Raptors were within a run after four innings but then the Missoula Osprey (Diamondbacks) scored eight runs before the Raptors scored again and that meant a 12-7 win for the Osprey.

Moises Perez and Romar Cuadrado each had two hits, Nick Yarnall had three hits.

Rookie-Level AZL

AZL Dodgers outscored the AZL Indians 8-5 on Friday. Trailing 5-0, the Dodgers would score the final eight runs of the game. Catcher Jair Camargo and infielder Samuel Ortiz each had two hits.

Transactions

Double-A: Tulsa placed left-handed pitcher Chris Rearick on the 7-day disabled list; Tulsa placed right-handed pitcher Layne Somsen on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to July 12, 2017; Tulsa activated left-handed pitcher Chris Cotton from the 7-day disabled list. Catcher Shawn Zarraga assigned to Tulsa Drillers

Class-A: Catcher Brant Whiting assigned to Rancho Cucamonga from Tulsa.

Rookie-Level: Catcher Garrett Hope assigned to Ogden from Rancho Cucamonga. Shortstop Ronny Brito assigned to Ogden from AZL Dodgers.