An offensive barrage in Visalia, a five-run comeback in Tulsa, a franchise home run record for Great Lakes, and a birthday home run highlight Tuesday in the Dodgers minors.
Player of the day
Eddys Leonard homered twice, singled, and scored three times in Low-A Rancho Cucamonga’s offensive outburst in Visalia.
Leonard, a 20-year-old middle infielder signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2017, has played mostly shortstop for the Quakes this season, and has seen time at second base and third base as well. On Tuesday he was the designated hitter, and lived up to his title.
After going 0-for-3 on July 1, Leonard has a 14-game hitting streak, during which time he’s hitting .391/.451/.719 with five home runs, six doubles, 17 runs scored, and 18 runs batted in. He also trimmed his strikeout rate from 25.8 percent in May and June to 18.9 percent in July.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
Keibert Ruiz had three hits on his 23rd birthday, including a home run and double, and drove in two runs in OKC’s win over the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks).
Yoshi Tsutsugo also homered and had three hits, and both middle infielders — Sheldon Neuse and Omar Estévez — added home runs as well. And when Oklahoma City tacked on four insurance runs in the eighth inning, Carlos Asuaje stole home! I did not see the play but it was on the front end of a double steal, with Luke Raley stealing third.
Double-A Tulsa
The Drillers rallied to erase an early deficit to earn a split with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals). The first game was the completion of a suspended game from June 6. Tulsa lost that one 5-0, then trailed 5-0 after the first inning of the nightcap.
Tulsa got home runs in the regularly scheduled Tuesday game from Ryan Noda, Donovan Casey, and Hunter Feduccia. Romer Cuadrado and Clayton Daniel each had three hits and scored twice. Daniel also drove in three.
High-A Great Lakes
Jesus Vargas allowed five runs, including two home runs in his 4⅔ innings in the Loons’ loss to the Lake County Captains (Cleveland).
Leftfielder Ryan Ward homered twice, and James Outman hit one homer. A milestone shot:
James Outman hit his 8th home run of the season tonight giving him 27 in his @greatlakesloons career.
— Brad Tunney (@brad_tunney) July 21, 2021
He is now the franchise's record holder for career home runs.
1. James Outman, 27
2. Kyle Russell, 26
3. Carlos Rincon, 25
T4. Jerry Sands, 23
T4. Alfredo Silverio, 23
Also of note, third baseman Brandon Lewis — who homered again on Tuesday — was named High-A Central player of the week after hitting .417/.462/.917 (10 for 24) with four home runs and 11 RBI in six games against Dayton. He homered twice, driving in six in a game that began on Friday, was interrupted by rain, then was completed on Saturday.
Low-A Rancho Cucamonga
Leonard wasn’t the only offensive star of the Quakes’ wild win over the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks). Jonny DeLuca doubled twice, homered, singled, walked twice, and scored five runs.
Jorbit Vivas also had three hits, including a double. Alex De Jesus doubled, singles, walked, and scored three times.
Arizona Complex League
Jose Ramos, a 20-year-old outfielder signed by the Dodgers in 2018 out of Panama, was 10-for-16 (.625) with nine RBI in five games for the ACL Dodgers, winning ACL player of the week honors. Ramos’ big game came Saturday, when he had five hits, including a double, plus a hit by pitch, scoring twice and driving in two in a 12-8 win over the White Sox at Camelback Ranch.
Transactions
Triple-A: Josiah Gray was called up to the majors. Edwin Uceta was optioned to Oklahoma City. Andy Burns was designated for assignment.
High-A: Pitcher Cameron Gibbens was activated after a week on the developmental list. Pitcher Jeff Belge was placed on the developmental list.
Tuesday scores
- Oklahoma City 10, Reno 3
- Northwest Arkansas 5, Tulsa 0 (resumption of June 6 suspended game)
- Tulsa 9, Northwest Arkansas 8
- Lake County 7, Great Lakes 5
- Rancho Cucamonga 18, Visalia 10
Wednesday schedule
- 4 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Alec Gamboa) at Lake County (Xzavion Curry)
- 5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Ryan Pepiot) vs. Northwest Arkansas (Angel Zerpa)
- 6 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Robbie Peto) at Visalia (Austin Pope)