Dodgers minor league news

Gavin Lux is ridiculously on fire; Will Smith injured

While OKC went on to lose the game and have Will Smith leave the game due to injury, the Drillers, Quakes, Loons and Raptors all won. Rising prospect Josiah Gray was promoted to Tulsa.

By David Hood Jul 18, 2019, 9:07am PDT

Gavin Lux is blistering the Pacific Coast League

The Ogden Raptors clinched their first half championship, while the upper level clubs battled through some tightly contested affairs.

Player of the day

It’s starting to feel like a broken record, but Gavin Lux homered at Triple-A, and then he did it again. His two round-trippers gave him home runs in four straight games. Lux is now batting .500 in Triple-A in a not-so-insignificant 58 at bats.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City squandered a strong start from Dustin May and home runs again from Gavin Lux to get walked off by the Iowa Cubs 7-6. May went 5.1 innings, striking out eight while walking one and allowing just one run. Kevin Quakenbush and Josh Sborz each allowed three runs to allow Iowa to come back in the late innings.

Lux went two for four from the leadoff spot with two home runs. Kyle Garlick and Edwin Rios each had a pair of hits in a losing effort.

However, Will Smith left the game in the 8^th inning due to injury from a pitch by teammate Josh Sborz.

Tough blow for Oklahoma City catcher Will Smith. Smith got crossed up by a pitch and appeared to be hit in the wrist. Tried to stay in the game but airmailed a couple of practice throws into LF. He's done.
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) July 18, 2019

Double-A Tulsa

Tulsa put up two or more home runs for three straight innings in the middle frames to overtake the Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers) 7-6. Zach McKinstry had three hits and drove in two runs from the leadoff spot. Connor Wong went one for three with a walk and his first stolen base in Double-A.

Justin DeFratus earned the win with six innings of relief of Nolan Long, who served as the “opener” but allowed three runs. DeFratus allowed just two runs while striking out three. Jordan Sheffield pitched the final out to record his fifth save for Tulsa.

Class-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes rallied for two runs in the top of the eleventh before Brett de Geus slammed the door for the victory over the San Jose Giants 7-5. de Geus pitched two scoreless innings, striking out a pair. Gerardo Carrillo returned from injury to pitch two scoreless innings, fanning two batters also.

Donovan Casey led the Quakes with three hits from the leadoff spot, doubling twice and scoring twice. Jeter Downs went one for two with two walks while driving in three runs.

Class-A Great Lakes

The Loons rode strong hitting from the top of their order to defeat the Clinton LumberKings (Marlins) 6-5. Leonel Valera went three for four with two runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Chris Roller went two for four with a double and three runs driven in hitting behind Valera.

Jack Little started and was perfect for three innings, striking out four. Little has yet to allow a run as a pro. Jose Chacin took the win in relief despite allowing four runs over five innings, striking out one.

Short Season Ogden

The Raptors clinched the first half division championship with a 9-0 rout of the Missoula Osprey (Diamondbacks). Kevin Malisheski struck out eight in six shutout innings to pick up his fourth win. Nelfri Contreras, Mark Mixon, and Reza Aleaziz each had a clean inning in relief.

Ryan Ward led all hitters with three hits, extending his multi-hit streak to five games. Jimmy Titus also went two for five with his third home run of the season.

Rookie Arizona League

The AZL Dodgers Lasorda rallied in the ninth for three runs but came up just short in losing to the AZL Brewers Gold 6-5. Yhostin Chirinos and Edwin Mateo each had three hits for the Dodgers. Michael Busch recorded his first professional hit in his fourth game with the club.

The AZL Dodgers Mota were walked off by the AZL PadresOne 3-2 in ten innings. Kody Hoese went two for four with a triple and two runs scored, raising his season slash line to .385/.476/.692. Jose Rodulfo was solid in his five innings, striking out five while allowing just one run.

D0minican Summer League

The DSL Dodgers Bautista blanked the DSL Astros 11-0. Carlos Santiago drove in three runs in going two for four with his fourth home run of the year.

The DSL Dodgers Shoemaker shutout the DSL Indians/Brewers 3-0 in an eight inning game. Harold Galindo pitched five scoreless frames to earn the win.

Transactions

Triple-A: The Dodgers activated RHP Stetson Allie from the injured list.

Double-A: LHP Logan Bawcom was placed on the injured list. To take his place, RHP Josiah Gray was called up from Rancho Cucamonga.

Class-A: RHP Guillermo Zuniga and LHP John Rooney were promoted from Great Lakes. To make room for Rooney, LHP Wes Helsabeck was released. Great Lakes received RH pitchers Ryan Pepiot and Aaron Oschenbein from short season teams.