• It is rumored that the Phillies and Dodgers are in trade talks for their managers although the 6-5 Phillies are asking for a GM to be named later if they take the manager of the 4-7 train-wrecked Dodgers. Move along folks, there’s nothing to see here.
• Look, it’s simple!  I try to break it down to the simplest explanation.  The Dodgers only have four problems: (1) Can’t Hit; (2) Can’t Field; (3) Can’t Pitch; and  (4) Can’t Manage.  Fix that and you fix the Dodgers – Simple. Next problem….
• I imagine there will be a few changes:  Wilmer Font will likely be gone as will Joc Pederson.  He looks pathetic up there.  I would recall Stewart – he is due to pitch today and make him the long guy and call up Andrew Toles – ENOUGH ALREADY! I believe Andrew will be a spark!
• Grandal and Kemp are the only ones really hitting… but the others aren’t looking totally over matched.  Joc is.
• FAZ was hoping that Joc could seize the day, so he would have some trade value… but it wasn’t to be. Back to OKC to re-tool… again.
• Yimi Garcia is a couple to four weeks away.
• They could always put Buehelr in the pen for a while….
• That’s all I got…

 

MINOR LEAGUE REPORT by AlwaysCompete

While Mark writes his post about last night’s debacle, I thought I would at least start today with a little positive Dodger baseball news with the very hot hitting OKC Dodgers.  Of course that is also followed by two less than stellar games from the two A Ball teams (Quakes and Loons).  The Tulsa Drillers had the day off.   I absolutely concur with Mark on Toles.  It is time to bring him back.  In my original post, I had a picture of Toles in his LA Dodger hat hoping it would happen sooner rather than later.

OKC DODGERS:

The OKC Dodgers unloaded on the Round Rock Express (Rangers) with a final score of 19-1. The Dodgers’ line was 19 runs on 19 hits, and committed 1 error.  Every starter had at least one hit, with 6 having multi-hit games, and 8 of the 9 position players now sporting a batting average north of .300:

 

Andrew Toles – 4 for 6 (1 double and 5 RBI) – Now hitting .391

Tim Locastro – 3 for 5 (1 double and 1 triple) – Now hitting .556

Donovan Solano – 3 for 4 (3 RBI) – Now hitting .313

Travis Taijeron – 2 for 3 (2 doubles) – Now hitting .636

Alex Verdugo – 2 for 5 – Now hitting .304

Jake Peter – 2 for 5 – Now hitting .333

Max Muncy – 1 for 5 – Now hitting .313

Breyvic Valera – 1 for 4 (2 RBI) – Now hitting .333

Rocky Gale – 1 for 4 (1 HR and 3 RBI) – Now hitting .154

 

While the offense took center stage, Walker Buehler was the starting and winning pitcher, surrendering 1 run on 4 hits, 1 BB, and 6 K, in 5 IP (73 pitches). Adam Liberatore (2 IP), C. C. Lee (1 IP), and Pat Venditte (1 IP) each followed and combined for 0 runs on 1 hit, 2 BB, and 6K in their 4 innings.

 

This game also saw Tim Locastro starting in CF, where I think he is going to get a long look.  Future replacement for Kike’?  A better bat to ball hitter without the power, but a much faster player in the field and on the base paths.  I like Kike’, but I really do like Tim Locastro, and I hope he gets a chance.

 

RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES:

 

The Quakes lost for the 5^th time in 7 games, losing 5 to 3 to the Stockton Ports (A’s). The Quakes had 6 hits, led by Gavin Lux who broke out with a 3 for 4 night.  Cody Thomas went 2 for 3, and is now batting .318.  But the big story offensively (or lack thereof) were the 17 K’s wrung up on the Quakes.  Only Thomas came away without a K.  The Ports’ starting pitcher, 20 year LHP Jesus Luzardo, registered 10 K’s in his 5 IP (85 pitches).   Andy Sopko started for the Quakes and for his first 4 innings he was outstanding, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits, 1 BB, and 5 K’s.  His second start was very reminiscent of his first start.  In the 5^th, he allowed 1 run on 2 hits and 1 BB before being lifted by Parker Curry after 73 pitches.  Curry promptly gave up a 2 run triple allowing both inherited runners to score giving Sopko the loss.

 

GREAT LAKES LOONS:

 

Great Lakes also lost for the 5^th time in 7 games, losing 4-1 to the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers).  The Loons scored their one run on five hits; 2 by CF Brayan Morales and 2 by Zach McKinstry (double).  The starting pitcher was the 13^th round 2017 draft choice, Marshall Kasowski (West Texas A &M).  He allowed 2 runs on zero hits in his 2 IP.  His downfall was due to his 4 walks in his first 2 innings, and then starting the third by walking the first two batters he faced.  Andre Scrubb replaced Kasowski and continued the lack of control with 2 more walks and 1 HBP allowing 2 inherited runners to score, giving Kasowski the loss. The one bright pitching spot was the 2 shutout IP by Vinny Santarsiero (1 hit, 0 walks, 3 K’s).

 

Request for DC – One of your patented prospect reports on 22 year old CF from Ponce, Puerto Rico…Brayan Morales.

 

Starting pitchers for today’s outings:

AAA -OKC- Manny Banuelos

AA – Caleb Ferguson

A+ – Jordan Sheffield

A – Riley Ottesen