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Happy, Hopeful, Blessed, and Thankful

I grew up in Ohio and lived there until 1976, when I was 23 years old. I have been in Indiana for 50 years, so I consider myself a Hoosier. Now, I actually live 45 minutes from Bloomington, where the IU Hoosiers play. However, since I was nine years old, I have been a Dodger fan. You know the story! I have been absent from the blog a lot this…

By Mark Timmons7 min readJump to 123 comments

I grew up in Ohio and lived there until 1976, when I was 23 years old. I have been in Indiana for 50 years, so I consider myself a Hoosier. Now, I actually live 45 minutes from Bloomington, where the IU Hoosiers play. However, since I was nine years old, I have been a Dodger fan. You know the story! I have been absent from the blog a lot this year due to working on my book, The Mountain Mover. It is due out in the fall. Finally… thirty-two years in the making. I have been incredibly blessed. However, one of the biggest blessings is this blog!

As I read the comments from people like Jeff Dominique, Michael Norris, Badger, Bumsrap, Bobby, Ted Raymond, Phil Jones, Dodgerdad, Kevin, Daytona Jack, Simon Killer, Bobby, MushersPop, Watford Dodger, JohnDoll, Matt, Cassidy, Bluto, Dodgertifosi, Zeke, Andrew Forte, Dodgerpatch, Jayne Cobb, Hawkeye Dodger, David, Bison Jones, Singing the Blue, Dano, Porpiseboy, Norcaldodgerfan, Illinidodger, Jorge Valenzuele, Anthony H, DodgerOldGuy, Gus, OC Dodger, 4-Gens, John Ferguson, Ron Fairly Fan, Vinny’s Ghost, BlueAZ2020, DCN, 77Dodgers, and others. Sorry if I missed you…

I think the above commenters and I have 100,000 years of combined experience being Dodger fans. The commenters on this blog are an amazing part of this blog. There has never been a better time to be a Dodger fan. Thank you all for your support. This blog will get even better in the future… I promise!

OKC Comets 8 – Charlotte Knights 5

Charlotte had top LHSP prospect Hagen Smith on the mound, and I was hoping to watch him pitch.  But I got caught up in Yoshinobu’s game, and that is what I was focusing on.

This certainly was not his finest outing. In 4.1 IP, Smith allowed 8 runs (7 earned) threw 90 pitches (50 strikes).  He gave up 6 hits, but four of those hits left the yard.  I will go back and watch the game.

RF Zach Ehrhard is reminding everyone to not forget him.  He led off the game with 8th HR.

LHSP Cole Irvin took the mound with a 1-0 lead, but could not get out of the first inning.  He gave up 4 singles, 1 BB, 2 HBP, 1 SF, and 4 runs in with runners on 2nd and 3rd when RHRP Jerming Rosario was asked to get out of the inning.  Rosario allowed a soft single to give the Knights a 5ights a 5th run in the inning.

3B Taylor Young hit his 2nd AAA HR in the 2nd.

In the 3rd, Ehrhard and 1B James Tibbs III drew lead off walks.  LF Ryan Fitzgerald hit a 2-run triple (4) and scored on a throwing error to tie the score.

OKC put up 4 in the 5th.  With one out, Ehrhard hit his 2nd HR (9) of the game.  DH Tommy Edman singled and scored ahead of 1B James Tibbs III on his HR (19).  LF Ryan Fitzgerald doubled (6) and scored when SS Hyeseong Kim hit an RBI single.

In his next two innings, Rosario allowed a BB and 2 Ks.  He was relieved by LHRP Garrett McDaniels who pitched 2 scoreless innings.

RHRP Evan Phillips continued his rehab.  He allowed 1 hit I his 1.0 IP.  Unfortunately that one hit was a HR.

In the 7th, Fitzgerald singled, Kim drew a BB, and Taylor singled to load the bases.  2B Austin Gauthier followed with a 2-run single and a 5 run lead.

https://twitter.com/OKC_comets/status/2065958568843415652?s=20

RHRP Paul Gervase relieved Phillips and pitched a scoreless 7th with 3 K.  In his 2nd inning of work, he allowed a hit, but got another K.

https://twitter.com/HyeseongKimMuse/status/2065960667849314345?s=20

RHRP Wyatt Mills was summoned to pitch the 9th.  He allowed a run, but finished the 9th for the win.

  • Zach Ehrhard – 3-3, 2 BB, 3 runs, 2 RBI, 2 HR (9)
  • Ryan Fitzgerald – 3-5, 3 runs, 2 RBI, double (16), triple (4)
  • Taylor Young – 2-5,1 run, 1 RBI, HR (2)
  • Austin Gauthier – 2-5, 2 RBI
  • James Tibbs III – 1-2, 3 BB, 2 runs, 2 RBI, HR (19)

Box Score

Tulsa Drillers 7 – Wichita Wind Surge (Minnesota) 6

RHSP Roque Gutierrez  pitched a pair of scoreless innings.  In the 3rd, after he struck out the 1st batter, he hit the next batter and allowed a double.  After another strikeout, Gutierrez was about to get out of the inning before allowing a 2-run double.

In the bottom of the 3rd, DH Kole Myers drew a BB.  C Frank Rodriguez singled and RF Josue De Paula singled to score Myers.

Wichita scored 4 unearned runs, 3 on a HR off Gutierrez in the 4th.

In the 6th inning, Tulsa came roaring back to take the lead.  CF Mike Sirota led off with a BB, and in so doing increased his on base streak to 52 games.  SS Elijah Hainline also walked.  LF Zyhir Hope singled to load the bases.  Sirota scored on a PB.  2B Jake Gelof and 1B Chris Newell both walked and Hainline scored. 3B Kyle Nevin hit a 2-run single.  Rodriguez hit a go-ahead SF.

https://twitter.com/TulsaDrillers/status/2065974258631610742?s=20

In the 9th, Tulsa brought in RHRP Nick Robertson.  Nick picked a bad game to give up a run.  With one out he surrendered a game tying HR before striking out the next two.

In the bottom of the 9th, JDP walked and stole 2nd.  Sirota singled and JDP stopped at 3rd.  Hainline walked to load the bases, and Zyhir Hope hit a walk off SF for the win.  

https://twitter.com/TulsaDrillers/status/2065991501541183493?s=20

Every Tulsa batter reached base safely.

  • Josue De Paula – 3-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
  • Kyle Nevin – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (8)

Box Score

Great Lakes Loons 3 – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee) 1

Great Lakes got on the board when LF Chuck Davalan hit his 8th HR for a 1-0 lead in the 3rd

RHSP Brooks Auger pitched 3.2 scoreless innings.  He gave up 3 hits, 2 BB, and registered 6 K.

In the 5th, CF Eduardo Quintero hit another solo HR (3).

RHRP Reynaldo Yean got the final out in the 4th and 1st 2 outs in the 5th.  Yean exited with 2 runners on base.  RHRP Alex Makarewich walked the first batter faced, and struck out the next batter to retire the side.

RHRP Isaac Ayon pitched the next 3.2 innings, allowing 1 run on a solo HR in the 6th.

In the 8th, 3B Eduardo Guerrero and SS Emil Morales both drew lead off BB.  After Guerrero was forced out on a ground ball, Morales scored on a fielder’s choice and throwing error.

With 1 out in the 9th, PH Marco Dinges grounded softly to Ayon for the 2nd out.  Something happened on the play as both Dinges and Ayon were ejected.

RHRP Davis Chastain was called to get the final, which he did.

  • Eduardo Quintero – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (3)
  • Charles Davalan – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (8)
  • Doubles – Cameron Decker (3) and Emil Morales (3)

Box Score

Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) 17 – Ontario Tower Buzzers 1

RHSP Hyun-Seok Jang started his 3rd straight poor game  They are progressively getting worse.  He has completed 9.1 innings allowing 22 runs (21 earned) on 17 hits, 6 BB, and 10 K.

RHRP Jholbran Herder relieved Jang in the 3rd retiring the side.  He also pitched a scoreless 4th.

RHRP Ricardo Montero could not record an out in the 5th.  He walked the 1st 3 batters, hit the 4th batter, and walked 2 more.  RHRP Accimias Morales relieved Montero with the bases loaded.  He unleashed a WP and the Storm had their 4th run of the inning.  Morales got the three outs without allowing any further damage.

Down 17-0, RF Ching-Hsien Ko was HBP.  1B Easton Shelton singled. With one out C Bryan Gonzalez Garcia doubled to score Ko and to breaj up the shutout.

Not much to talk about in this game.   Turn the page. Play again Sunday.

Box Score

No ACL Game

DSL Astros Orange 17 – DSL LAD Bautista 0

LAD Bautista had 2 hits, and some horrible pitching in this one.  This is one to simply forget.

Box Score

Discussion (123)

Disagree, not disagreeable

Be civil — moderation is real. Links may need a moment of review.

  1. hodges54June 14, 2026

    Bear, May you have a happy and blessed birthday. I’m a long time fan like yourself. I’ve been a fan since 1953. Love your blogs on Dodgers history. I, like you, have a birthday this month. I’ll be 81 on the 19th.

  2. BearJune 14, 2026

    Just another day to me now at this age with no family nearby.

  3. OC DodgerJune 14, 2026

    You’re very correct this blog is a blessing for all of us! It’s even better these days with extra input/expertise. Besides the baseball knowledge, all way better than mine, I really enjoy how Jeff places the financial spin into the game, team make up and how they use their money. Great show men!

  4. BearJune 14, 2026

    Tucker is frustrated and definitely pressing. You can see it on his face. The game right now is not fun for him.

  5. BearJune 14, 2026

    Thank you Zeke.

  6. BearJune 14, 2026

    Thanks Duke, I am already an antique.

  7. BearJune 14, 2026

    Hmmmm. Did no think of that.

  8. SimonKillerJune 14, 2026

    Family trip to NYC/BOS/Maine starting Tuesday. Will be in Manhattan for Knicks’ parade Thursday. Might head in the opposite direction.

  9. Daytona JackJune 14, 2026

    Doesn’t matter, as long as you win the argument

  10. SimonKillerJune 14, 2026

    I predict that with 16 HRs in 65 games, Max Muncy stays exactly on his 40 HR pace for 2026.

  11. BadgerJune 14, 2026

    If it wasn’t a school holiday I didn’t much g.a.s.. Every day is flag now. I have two I know born on this particular flag day. It’s just a reminder to say hey to them.

  12. SimonKillerJune 14, 2026

    We’re totally trading for him.

  13. SimonKillerJune 14, 2026

    Ferris better wake TF up or his prospect light will dim all the way off. I still believe in the talent but he needs to sharpen up, starting today. Root has probably passed up by and maybe Serwinowski too. If he’s to be a trade chip, the time to shine is now.

  14. tedraymond2.0June 14, 2026

    Dodgers win 6-4. Sheehan redeems himself from last start. He goes six allowing 2 earned with 7 K and 2 BB. There’s a huge chance I might be off a bit….

  15. SimonKillerJune 14, 2026

    Y’know, he draws walks and occasionally steals a base. Even though he looks a bit lethargic in RF, I believe he is a good defender. Unlike a lot of our best hitters, he doesn’t hit the ball to the opposite field with authority. We didn’t give him a 10y/$500m deal or even an 8y/$400m one. We overpaid in tbe short-term for his production right now. His Dodger story is not yet written.

  16. BearJune 14, 2026

    Thanks Ted, much appreciated. I was 21 before I realized they were not putting up the flag just because it was my birthday!

  17. BearJune 14, 2026

    Thanks Andrew and Dad. Don’t know about wiser, but I know about the slower.

  18. BearJune 14, 2026

    Karros commented on how much players from other teams dislike the field there. The ball did take a bad hop and Espinal almost caught it on the fly.

  19. BearJune 14, 2026

    Actually Mark, I was with Marc Antony and his legions battling for Ceasar! Thanks for the birthday wishes guys. All I want is a Dodger win.

  20. Andrew V ForteJune 14, 2026

    Sheehan rebounds from his last start last Sunday against the Angels,pitches well and the Dodgers win a close game.

  21. BearJune 14, 2026

    Thanks Badger. I really appreciate it. One of my friends made an AI post of me in a Dodger jersey surrounded by BABES! It was totally cool. It said Legends don’t get old; they just get better. Not a legend, but I’ll take it.

  22. BearJune 14, 2026

    Thanks Jack, sometimes I don’t agree with myself!

  23. BearJune 14, 2026

    Him and Jay Johnstone. Jay would drive Tommy nuts with his pranks. Johnstone and Reuss once went out and dragged the infield after the top of the fifth inning.

  24. tedraymond2.0June 14, 2026

    Happy Birthday Bear. I have two friends also celebrating a June 14th Birthday! You got me by six months. Let’s see if the Dodgers can get you a victory for your special day!

  25. BadgerJune 14, 2026

    The error no doubt caused a deflation. Everybody felt it. Did that allow the fat pitch hammered into the seats? I don’t know. Maybe. Shouldn’t have, but maybe. Perfect game, no hitter, shutout, all lost with two pitches. The first one was the error on a routine play. Oh well. That’s baseball isn’t it. Got the W. Got an 8 game lead. Got Sheehan on the mound. With his 4.7 ERA. Gulp. Any predictions?

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