Ruiz’s home run not enough in Drillers loss

Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Great Lakes all lose close games on Monday with Tulsa losing on a walk-off walk.

Player of the day

Keibert Ruiz came up with two on in the ninth inning and he hit his third home run of the season to give the Drillers a one-run lead. Ruiz has been starting at catcher and designated hitter for Tulsa, splitting time with Will Smith.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

The Dodgers dropped the series finale 3-2 to the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Marlins). However, the Dodgers had the star of the game, starting pitcher Manny Banuelos, who had an electric four-inning outing.

Banuelos struck out nine and walked one in his start on Monday. The 27-year old has made four starts so far in 2018, pitching 20 innings, giving up four runs (three earned), 11 hits and four walks. Banuelos has struck out 23 in the 20 innings pitched.

Oklahoma City had opportunities to score runs but could not cash in their chances going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Alex Verdugo hit his fourth home run of the season and Henry Ramos was walked with the bases loaded to account for the Dodgers two runs.

Double-A Tulsa

The Drillers found themselves with utility player Mike Ahmed on the mound trying to save their game against the Arkansas Travelers (Mariners). Ahmed couldn’t do it and the Travelers came back to win 6-5 over the Drillers.

Prior to Ahmed, five Drillers had taken the mound on Monday. Dennis Santana started and pitched four innings, giving up a run, two walks, three hit batters and striking out three.

With the score tied 2-2, Brian Moran gave up four hits in the eighth inning to give up two runs. The Drillers rallied in the ninth when Kyle Garlick doubled and Yusniel Diaz walked.

With two outs, Keibert Ruiz hit a three-run homer to put the Drillers ahead for the first time.

But then, Ahmed came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and he was greeted with an error to put the tying run on second. With one out, a double drove in the tying run.

Ahmed would load the bases on walks but then got a foul out. However, one more walk meant it was a walk-off win for the Travelers.

Class-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes were off on Monday. They will start a three-game series at home against the Stockton Ports [Athletics] this evening.

Class-A Great Lakes

The Loons and Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres) were tied 1-1 going to the eighth inning. But then the TinCaps would score twice and they would go on to win 3-1.

Edwin Uceta started for the Loons and went five innings. He gave up a run, two hits, and walked two. Leo Crawford followed and pitched two scoreless innings but then in the eighth inning with one on and one out, a double and a two-run single put the TinCaps ahead.

The Loons sole run came in the first inning when Starling Heredia singled home Romer Cuadrado. Cuadrado and Moises Perez each had two hits.

Transactions

Triple-A: Los Angeles recalled right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler from Oklahoma City.

Class-A: Great Lakes placed infielder Zach McKinstry on the 7-day disabled list; catcher Gersel Pitre assigned to Great Lakes from Ogden.

Other notes

Midwest League announced their Player of the week on Monday.

Monday’s scores

New Orleans 3, Oklahoma City 2

Arkansas 6, Tulsa 5

Fort Wayne 3, Great Lakes 1

Tuesday’s schedule

9:00 a.m. PT: Tulsa (Caleb Ferguson) at Arkansas (Anthony Misiewicz)

3:05 p.m.: Great Lakes (Jesus Vargas) vs. Fort Wayne (Aaron Leasher)

7:05 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Tony Gonsolin) vs. Stockton [Athletics] (TBD)