Josiah Gray strikes out career-high in season debut

For the first time in forever.... wow I just sang that like the Frozen song...

Four of the Dodgers minor-league affiliates were in action!

Player of the day

Although he took the loss, Josiah Gray shined in his 2021 debut. He got the start for OKC, striking out 10 in his five innings of work. His 10 strikeouts were a career-high.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

The offense was quiet for the Dodgers, but the biggest takeaway was Gray’s performance. OKC lost 6-0, but he delivered a fantastic outing.

In five innings, LA’s top pitching prospect allowed two runs and struck out a career-high 10 hitters. The two runs he allowed came courtesy of a two-run home run. He had multiple strikeouts in four of his five innings.

A few days ago, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team didn’t have any plans of calling up Gray, as they want to keep giving him reps in the minor-leagues. It’ll still be some time before we see him with LA, but what an encouraging first start of his season.

Double-A Tulsa

It was a back-and-forth game, but the Drillers lost in extra innings, 8-6. The Drillers got on the board in the first inning thanks to a solo homer from Michael Busch. It’s his second in as many night.

The Sod Poodles tacked on six runs in the third inning thanks to five hits and two home runs. Pitcher Michael Grove took the damage, as he was pulled with only one out in the inning. He allowed five runs, but did issue three strikeouts.

Tulsa added a run in the fifth but they scored four runs in the seventh to tie the game up at six. This Jacob Amaya double brought the Drillers to within two runs.

Busch then brought in a run with a groundout, then Kody Hoese followed with an RBI single to even the game at six.

The game went to extras, but three straight hits from the Sod Poodles put them on top by two. Tulsa couldn’t do any damage in the bottom half of the inning as all three hitters struck out.

High-A Great Lakes

The Loons had their game called due to weather, and luckily for them it helps bring them the victory. They scored only one run and recorded only one hit, but it was enough as they won 1-0.

GL’s lone run came in the third inning on a sacrifice fly from Miguel Vargas. Ryan January scored, who singled earlier in the inning for their only hit.

Juan Morillo got the start and struck out four in his 1 ²⁄₃ innings of action. Jeff Belge followed with five strikeouts in 2 ¹⁄₃ innings and Cole Percival struck out one in his two scoreless innings of relief.

Low-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes’ winning streak came to an end as they fell to the 66ers, 6-5. Well, although it’s only a three-game sample size, this team sure does strike out.... a lot. They struck out a season-high 21 times last night and now have struck out a combined 54 times through three games. Yeah, that will need some fixing asap.

They did score five runs, but the offense only totaled three hits.

Transactions

• RHP Edward Cuello assigned to Oklahoma City Dodgers from Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
• Oklahoma City Dodgers placed RHP Brock Stewart on the 60-day injured list.
• Oklahoma City Dodgers placed LF Drew Avans on the 7-day injured list.

Wednesday scores

Express 6 | Dodgers 0

Sod Poodles 8 | Drillers 6

Loons 1 | Dragons 0

66ers 6 | Quakes 5

Friday schedule

3:05 p.m. PT: Dayton Dragons (Graham Ashcraft) at Great Lakes Loons (TBA)

5:05 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City Dodgers (Mike Kickham) at Round Rock Express (Jason Bahr)

5:05 p.m. PT: Amarillo Sod Poodles (Tyler Holton) at Tulsa Drillers (Gus Varland)

7:05 p.m. PT: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (TBA) at Inland Empire 66ers (TBA)