Liput homers in 3rd straight game, Quakes and Raptors lose late

The Rockies’ affiliates bested the farm twice in the ninth inning Wednesday, while Deacon Liput starts to heat up.

Player of the day

It’s taken Liput a while to get his season on the right track after missing most of the first two months of the season due to injury. He’s now heating up as July comes to a close, with hits in five straight games, multiple hits in four of five, and home runs in three in a row. Liput went two for five with his fifth home run of the year, while scoring a pair of runs. Strikeouts have still been an issue, but Liput’s last ten games have dug him out of a sub .200 hole from the first half of July.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City held off a late rally by the Salt Lake Bees (Angels) to win 5-3. Edwin Rios went two for three with a double, walk, and run driven in. Conor Joe also reached base three times on a walk and a pair of hits. Joe also stole his first base of the season.

Daniel Corcino held the Bees scoreless over the first six innings, striking out four and walking three to notch his eighth win. Stetson Allie was the lone Dodger reliever to hold the Bees to no runs, striking out one in one inning of work.

Double-A Tulsa

The Drillers were off on Wednesday and will return home Thursday to take on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals).

Class-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes were unable to hold off the JetHawks (Rockies) in the late innings, and were walked-off by Lancaster 7-6. Liput led the offense with a pair of hits and a home run in his third straight game. Miguel Vargas, Starling Heredia, and Jeren Kendall also each had a multi-hit game with Heredia also stealing his 14th base of the season.

Leo Crawford struck out eight over six innings, but allowed three runs. Guillermo Zuniga took the loss after blowing the save in the ninth inning, allowing two runs while recording just two outs.

Class-A Great Lakes

The Loons jumped on the TinCaps (Padres) early and held off Fort Wayne to win 8-2. Stephen Kolek had one of his best starts for the Loons, striking out ten over six innings while allowing just one earned run. Justin Hagenman picked up the three inning save with three scoreless innings, striking out three.

Luke Heyer and James Outman led the offense with a pair of hits each, with Heyer hitting his 12th home run of the year and Outman his eighth. Dan Robinson also had a multi-hit game, going two for four.

Short Season Ogden

The Raptors and Rockies were scoreless until the ninth (sound familiar) until the Raptors broke through with a run. Unfortunately, the Rockies responded with two of their own to take the win 2-1. Elio Serrano stood out with six scoreless innings, striking out six while walking just one. Corey Merrill took the hard luck loss after Hunter Speer allowed both inherited runs to score in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The Raptors had just three hits but still managed to strand 19 base runners. Brandon Lewis was the worst offender in going hitless in four at bats, leaving six base runners aboard. Andy Pages managed to reach base four times on a hit and three walks.

Rookie Arizona League

The AZL Dodgers Lasorda and the AZL Dodgers Mota were off on Wednesday.

Dominican Summer League

Both the DSL Dodgers Shoemaker and the DSL Dodgers Bautista had their games suspended due to rain.

Transactions

Triple-A: The Dodgers optioned RHP Tony Gonsolin back to Oklahoma City.

Double-A: The Drillers called up C Stevie Berman from Rancho Cucamonga.

Class-A: Rancho Cucamonga activated C Tre Todd from the temporary inactive list.

Wednesday scores

Oklahoma City 5, Salt Lake 3

Lancaster 7, Rancho Cucamonga 6

Great Lakes 8, Fort Wayne 2

Grand Junction 2, Ogden 1

Thursday schedule

4:05 p.m.: Great Lakes (Jose Martinez) vs. Fort Wayne (TBD)

5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (TBD) vs. Northwest Arkansas (TBD)

5:40 p.m.: Ogden (Alfredo Tavarez) at Rocky Mountain (Karsen Lindell)

6:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Dennis Santana) at Salt Lake (TBD)

6:35 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Michael Grove) at Lancaster (Will Gaddis)