Dodgers minor league news

Alex Verdugo ends slump with 11th inning blast

By David Hood Aug 10, 2017, 7:51am PDT

MLB: All Star Game-Futures Game — Alex Verdugo hit the game winning home run for Oklahoma City in the eleventh inning.

The Tulsa Drillers and Oklahoma City Dodgers watched a barrage of runs in the late innings, though only one came out on top.

Player of the day

Alex Verdugo had been hitless in four games and had just one hit in the month of August before breaking out with a game winning home run Wednesday. Verdugo went two for four with a walk, but it was his three run home run in the eleventh inning that proved the difference for the Dodgers. The home run was his fifth of the season, and his slash line bumped up to .314/.385/.433 on the year.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

As mentioned, a three run home run by Alex Verdugo in the eleventh inning led the Dodgers past the Salt Lake Bees (Angels) 6-3. Tim Locastro had four hits, including a pair of doubles, from the lead off spot and is now hitting .385 since being called up to Triple A. Adrian Gonzalez also went one for two in a rehab appearance.

Eddie Gamboa lasted just four and two-thirds innings and allowed all three runs. The relievers combined for six and a third scoreless innings, highlighted by a pair of innings from Walker Buehler. Josh Ravin also went two scoreless with three strikeouts.

Double-A Tulsa

A six run ninth inning meltdown erased a late three run lead, as the Drillers fell to the Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros) 10-7. Shea Spitzbarth took the loss in allowing five runs in the ninth, including the eventual walk off home run. Andrew Sopko went seven innings, striking out five while allowing four runs.

Yusniel Diaz led the offense with three hits in four at bats, including a double and run scored. Drew Jackson also had a pair of hits and steals from the leadoff spot.

Class-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes could not overcome a four run sixth inning, falling to the Modesto Nuts (Mariners) 6-4. Zach Reks went three for five and is now hitting over .500 in High A. Omar Estevez also went two for four with a double to extend his hitting streak to five games, while Darien Tubbs homered out of the leadoff spot.

Jordan Sheffield struggled in his high A debut, surrendering five runs in four innings, walking six and striking out just two. Tony Gonsolin pitched a pair of scoreless innings, striking out three.

Class-A Great Lakes

The Loons were off on Wednesday and will travel to play West Michigan on Thursday.

Rookie Ogden

The Raptors broke a four-four tie with two runs in the ninth to defeat the Great Falls Voyagers (White Sox) 6-4. Luis Paz went two for four with a home run and a double that produced the game winning RBI. Rylan Bannon, Romer Cuadrado, Gersel Pitre, Kevin Lachance, and Mason Hope each had a pair of hits for the winning cause.

Miguel Urena took the win in relief, allowing no runs in one and a two-thirds innings of work, striking out three. Zach Hartman earned the save by striking out the side in the ninth inning.

Arizona League Dodgers

The Dodgers scored a pair of runs in both the seventh and eighth inning to power past the AZL White Sox 7-3. Kevin Aponte went three for three and scored three runs, while Shakir Albert went two four four with a run scored.

James Marinan allowed his first professional runs, surrendering three in just an inning and a third. Marinan walked four and allowed two hits, striking out none. Confesor Inoa took his first win of the season despite walking three in two scoreless innings of relief.

Dominican League DSL Dodgers

The DSL Dodgers One blanked the DSL Athletics 4-0. Jose Hernandez went five scoreless innings, striking out five.

The DSL Dodgers Two defeated the DSL Rangers One 7-2. Albert Suarez hit his first home run of the season.

Transactions

Double-A: The Drillers swapped players on the disabled list, activating RHP Andrew Sopko while disabling C Shawn Zarraga.

Short-Season: The Raptors had to place SS Ronny Brito on the 60 day disabled list. To take his place, the Raptors called up 2B Eric Peterson from the AZL Dodgers. C Jonah Jarrard was activated to take Peterson’s place on the AZL roster.