The Cavalry is Coming

What? You thought I was talking about Gonsolin, McKinstry, Alexander, Pollock, Graterol, and Bellinger? No, I am talking about Michael “Bear” Norris! What else would I be talking about? Bear will be back soon and then this place will return to normal. OK, so it’s not normal… who cares? Oh, and all those players will likely soon be back and things will be “normaler” for the Dodgers. Here’s was OKC’s lineup last night:

1. Reks RF (.333/1.001) – 1-2 with 2 BB
2. Bellinger CF – 1-4 with an RBI
3. McKinstry LF – 0-2 with 2 BB and 2 Runs
4. Ruiz C – 2-5 with 2 HR, BB, 3 runs scored, and 5 RBI
5. Sousa, Jr. 1B – 1-4
6. Estevez SS – 1-4, BB
7. Asuaje 2B – 1-4
8. Burns 3B – 2-3, BB 2B

Drew Avans hit a 2 Run Triple and Fedex was 1-1 as a pinch hitter, as OKC pounded the Isotopes 13-3. Two MLB bats made a huge difference! Pazos pitches 2 scoreless innings and Mitch White pitched 2 innings allowing 1 run. Phil Bickford struck out 3 in his 1.1 IP. He is tantalizing!

OKC BOXSCORE

Quick Hits

• Trevor Bauer is Good Even Without his Best Stuff
• It’s possible that Bellinger and McKinstry may be back sooner than later, depending upon their conditioning.
• Aside from any pitchers, the Dodgers’ MVP this year has quietly been Chris Taylor.
• The Dodgers lowered their team ERA to 2.94, right behind the Padres at 2.64. The Giants are 3rd at 3.14!
• Dodgers bullpen ERA continues to plummet – it is now 3.42. #6 in MLB.
• Albert Pujols manages to do “something” with his diminishing skills.
• It’s unfair to judge Joe Kelly on his first two years with the Dodgers, due to “The Cyst” which has been growing for a while. As far as I am concerned, he is judged upon what he does henceforth. No excuses – just the facts!
• When a player strikes out 10 times in 15 AB’s, it is generally a sign that they have NO CLUE! Goodbye DJ Peters. Hell, I would bring Bellinger up TONIGHT! I am not saying he has no future as a hitter, but it doesn’t look good right about now.
• Nate Jones can be very effective in the right situation. Last night was the right situation… following Trevor Bauer.
• We need to see Striker Buehler tonight as he goes against TBD (never heard of him).

The Rest of The Minors Report

• TULSA DRILLERS BOXSCORE – The Drillers beat the Wind Surge 4-3 with a walk-off double by Stevie Berman following a two-out walk by Devin Mann. Mann scored from 1B to win the game. Mike Busch was 1-3 with another BB. Ryan Noda drove in two runs with a single. Gerardo Carrillo pitched 4.1 innings and allowed 3 hits an1 run, striking out 6. Bryan Warzel pitched 2 scoreless innings striking out 4, but Justin Hagenman was credited with his 3rd win as he pitched the last 1.1 innings.
• GREAT LAKES LOONS BOXSCORE – Great Lakes beat Lake County 8-2 as Andy Pages hit a 2-run HR and Leonel Valera hit a 3-run HR. Pages was 3-4 and is heating up after a slow start. Joe Vranesh was 2-4 with 3 runs scored and Carson Taylor was 2-3 with 3 RBI and a double. Jesus Vargas pitches 6 innings, allowing 2 hits with 5 K’s, and Morgan Cooper pitched the final two innings, allowing 3 walsk and a hit (HR). His ERA is 1-.13, but he is pitching… which is something he has not done in four years, so what do you expect? Give him time.
• RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES BOXSCORE – Rancho shut Lake Elsinore 2-0 behind Carlos Duran (19) who pitched 4 shutout innings, Nelfri Contreras (22), Aldolfo Ramirez (21), and Cameron Gibbens (and old-man at 25). Jorbit Vivas (20) was 2-4 with an RBI and Jonny Deluca (no relation to Paul LoDuca) was 1-3 with a run scored, RBI, and a walk.

Along Came Jones