Oklahoma City Comets (Triple-A) — L, 7-9 vs Salt Lake Bees

Tyler Fitzgerald did everything in his power to carry this one. Two home runs. Six RBI. Both runs scored. That’s about as much as you can ask from one bat in a single game, and it still wasn’t enough. Fitzgerald has been swinging the bat well since settling in at third base, and tonight was the kind of offensive explosion that reminds you why he’s in Triple-A. The power is real and the approach has looked cleaner in recent weeks.

The problem was on the mound. Christian Romero got roughed up — five innings, seven earned runs, zero walks, and five strikeouts. The strikeouts tell you the stuff was there, but he was getting hit hard when batters put the ball in play. That’s a rough combination: you’re around the zone enough to not walk anyone, but you’re catching too much of the plate. It’s a start to learn from, not panic over, but Romero needs to figure out how to miss more bats or barrels — preferably both.

Elsewhere in the lineup, Jack Suwinski went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, continuing to look like a steady presence in the outfield. James Tibbs III added a 2-for-5 night as the DH, and Michael Siani chipped in an RBI, two runs, and a walk while reaching base in three of his four plate appearances. The offense gave our guys in OKC a chance — the pitching just couldn’t hold up its end.

Tulsa Drillers (Double-A) — L, 1-5 / W, 5-0 vs Arkansas Travelers

A doubleheader split, and the two games couldn’t have looked more different. Game one was quiet — Frank Rodriguez accounted for the only run with a solo homer, going 1-for-2. That was it for the offense. A 1-5 loss where Arkansas controlled things from start to finish. Not much else to say about that one.

Game two was the complete opposite. Payton Martin set the tone from the jump — four innings, six strikeouts, two walks, and zero earned runs. That’s the kind of outing we want to see from Martin as he continues building up his pitch count and refining his command. He was aggressive, pounded the zone, and let the defense work behind him. Christian Suarez picked up the win in relief with two scoreless frames of his own, striking out one.

The bats came alive in the nightcap too. Chris Newell was the standout — a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI. That’s a quality day at the plate no matter the level. Kole Myers added a solo homer in left field, and Elijah Hainline went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored from the shortstop spot. When you get pitching and balanced hitting like that, you shut a team out. Pretty straightforward.

Great Lakes Loons (High-A) — L, 6-8 vs Lake County Captains

This one stings because our guys had the offensive pieces in place and couldn’t close the door. Justin Chambers came on in relief and gave up three earned runs on three walks in just one inning, taking the loss and blowing his second save of the year. When you walk three in an inning, you’re asking for trouble. Chambers has the arm, but the command has to tighten up. At this level, that’s what separates guys who move up from guys who don’t.

Christian Zazueta was actually solid through 4.1 innings — seven strikeouts, no walks, three earned runs. The punchouts are encouraging, and the zero-walk line tells you the approach was right. A few pitches caught too much of the plate, but overall that’s a performance to build on.

Offensively, Nico Perez launched a two-run homer and drew a walk, giving him three times on base. Eduardo Quintero went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs, and a stolen base — he continues to be a disruptive presence at the top of the lineup. Jose Meza drove in two runs as the DH on a 1-for-3 night with a walk. Charles Davalan had two runs and an RBI but also struck out three times against one hit. The bat-to-ball issues are something to watch with him going forward. Six runs should win you a lot of games — tonight it just wasn’t enough.

Ontario Tower Buzzers (Single-A) — L, 0-6 vs Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

A shutout loss. Not much to unpack here offensively. Emil Morales led the way — and I use that term loosely — with a 2-for-4 night, though he struck out twice. Mairoshendrick Martinus went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base. The speed is a tool Martinus can lean on, but an 0-for night at the plate means the legs don’t matter as much. Getting blanked 6-0 by your crosstown rival is never fun. Hopefully the bats wake up tomorrow.

ACL Dodgers (Rookie) — L, 3-5 vs ACL Rockies

A loss in Arizona Complex League play, but a couple of bats showed up. Landyn Vidourek hit a two-run homer, going 1-for-2 with a walk. That’s three times on base and the only extra-base hit for our side. Keep an eye on this one. Gio Cueto also went deep — a solo shot — finishing 1-for-3 behind the plate. Catching prospects who can hit for power are always worth tracking, even at this level.

The most interesting line of the night might belong to Kellon Lindsey, who didn’t record an official at-bat but reached base three times via walks, scored a run, and swiped a bag. That’s elite plate discipline for a rookie-ball second baseman. He forced the pitcher to throw him strikes and the pitcher simply couldn’t. Nights like this don’t show up in batting average, but they matter.

On the mound, Yuliangel De La Cruz logged 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out one and walking one, though he was tagged with a blown save. The run prevention was there even if the inherited runners came around.

DSL Dodgers (Rookie) — Off Day

The DSL Dodgers did not play today.