It s a Long Season

I told you a few days ago that there would be peaks and valleys. That was not some genius idea I had… that’s just baseball. One day, no one can beat you… a week later, everyone can beat you. It happens, it’s maddening, fans hate it, but it is just reality. I don’t get caught up in the “the game.” I look at the big picture and in the BIG PICTURE, the Dodgers are fine.

Evidently Ryu’s injury is not serious and he will be back soon as will Hill and Kershaw. It is a fluid situation as they work back from an assortment of injuries. Russ Martin will likely be back after the minimum time is up as well. Injuries are all part of it. The Yankees had 11 players on the IL the last I checked.

Of greater concern to me is Chris Taylor, who is off to a horrible start. He is 3 for 30 and while he has been working overtime with the hitting staff, he has very little to show. Joc Pederson looked much better last night, but CT3 is critical to the Dodgers’ plans. He needs to get untracked, as do JT and Corey Seager. The key word is DON’T PANIC. There will be problems, injuries, slumps and things we have not considered. That’s why the Depth of the system is so important.

The year before Fernando burst upon the scene, no one had an idea what he would become. The Dodgers have so many options in the minors that I am pretty certain someone will step up and surprise us this season… maybe more than one.

Sorry for the short post, but I am in Denver and have just a short window of time. Today, it’s time for Striker to right the ship!

Minor League Report by AC

OKC Dodgers 7 – Omaha Storm Chasers 5 (Royals)

On a very cold night in Nebraska, OKC put up 6 runs in the 2nd inning and held on for a 7-5 win. The game was called at the top of the 8th due to lightning and rain. Leadoff hitter Daniel Castro led a Dodger 13 hit attack with 3 hits. Matt Beaty was on base three times with a walk and two doubles in the #2 slot. Other multi hit games belonged to Edwin Rios with 2 hits including his 2nd double, Cameron Perkins, and Ezequiel Carrera had two hits including his first double and 2 RBI’s.

Brock Stewart started for OKC with 2.1 IP, allowing 2 runs (1 earned), 3 hits, 2 walks, and registered 2 strikeouts. Layne Somsen finished off the third without any further damage but could not find the plate to begin the 4th. After walking the bases full to start the 4th, Kevin Quackenbush came on and allowed all three inherited base runners to score, to tighten a one time 6-0 lead to 5-5. Quackenbush finished the 4th and 5th before Zach McAllister relieved for the third time in 7 games and pitched another two scoreless innings and recorded his first save. Zach has not yet been scored on this season.

The Dodgers and Storm Chasers wrap up a three-game series tonight with Daniel Corcino drawing the starting assignment. The Dodgers next travel to Iowa where they take on the Cubs in a 4-game series.

Tulsa Drillers 12 – Springfield Cardinals 6

After falling behind in the top of the first inning 1-0, the Drillers scored 4 in the bottom half of the first and continued to pound the ball until they scored 12 runs by the 6th inning. The Drillers had their season high in hits at 16, with three by Logan Landon, including a double, and three singles by Cristian Santana. Omar Estevez continued his hot start to 2019 with 2 more hits including his 4th double and 1st HR. Cody Thomas had two hits including his 2nd triple and 1st HR and three RBI’s, while Jared Walker added two hits. Estevez, Walker and Josh Thole had 2 RBI games. Every starter had at least one hit, including pitcher Dustin May who had a 2 out RBI single. The offense went 6-16 wRISP.

Dustin May started and was not nearly as successful as was his 1st outing. May lasted 4.0 innings allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts. He did allow a solo HR by 2b Irving Lopez. RHRP Louis Head followed May and pitched 2.0 innings surrendering 1 run on 3 hits, and 3 strikeouts. 33-year-old RHRP Luis Vazquez pitched the final three innings to record his first save. Vazquez allowed a single run on a solo HR by Kramer Robertson. He allowed 1 additional hit but did record 3 strikeouts.

The Drillers travel to Arkansas to embark on a four-game series. Yadi Alvarez draws the start in the first game of the series.

RC Quakes 8 – Visalia Rawhide 4 (DBacks)

The Quakes wrapped up their inaugural 7 game road trip with the 5th win, and have started the season with a 5-2 record. Down 2-1 in the 9th, Marcus Chiu walked and came around to score on three wild pitches to tie the game at 2 apiece. Entering the 10th inning, Jeren Kendall started at 2nd base and went to 3rd on a single by Jeter Downs. Downs moved up to 2nd on defensive indifference. Connor Wong walked to load the bases. Donovan Casey hit into a 6-4 force out with Kendall scoring, and Downs moving to 3rd. Casey stole 2nd before Marcus Chiu got a run scoring single (Downs) with Casey stopping at 3rd. Carlos Rincon followed with a run-scoring single of his own with Chiu stopping at 2nd. Chiu scored on an OF error, and Devin Mann completed the onslaught with his 2nd HR. In the bottom of the 10th for 6 runs and an 8-2 lead.

Ryan Moseley started the 10th with a runner starting at 2nd base, and after two singles and a ground out, the Rawhide scored two to make the score 8-4. After a walk put runners at first and second, manager Mark Kertenian went to his new closer, Jordan Sheffield. Sheff walked the first batter to load the bases and brought the tieing run to the plate. Sheff then struck out Anfernee Grier to win the game and notch his 2nd save in three games.

On Thursday, the Quakes will send lefty Bryan Warzek (0-0) to the mound against the Lancaster JetHawks (Rockies) and Garrett Schilling (0-0) in the home opener.

Great Lakes Loons 9 – Iowa Cubs 4

The Loons won for the third time in four games with a 9 run 9 hit victory. Catcher Hunter Feduccia led the offensive attack with a 3 hit night including 2 doubles (4 on the season). Dillon Paulson had 2 hits including his 3rd double. Romer Cuadrado hit his 2nd double of the season. Feduccia had 3 RBIs while Paulson added 2. The Loons went 5-14 wRISP.

Andre Jackson started his second game and pitched a solid 4.0 innings, allowing one run on 5 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 5 batters. Jose Martinez followed Jackson but a tough outing allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk in 1.2 IP. Joel Inoa followed and restored order for the next 2.1 innings issuing 2 walks and 1 strikeout. Jasiel Avino finished the game but not without a scare. He allowed 2 hits and 1 walk, but no runs finish off the game in a non-save situation.

The Loons wrap up their 4 game series and 6 game home stand with the Cubs tonight.