Oklahoma City Comets (Triple-A) — W, 4-3 vs Sugar Land

Jackson Ferris continues to look like a pitcher who belongs on the doorstep. Six innings, eight strikeouts, just one earned run and two walks against a Sugar Land lineup that can hit. That’s the kind of clean, efficient outing you want to see from a guy who should be knocking on the big league door sooner rather than later. Ferris leaned on his stuff, pounded the zone, and let the defense work behind him. There’s not much left for him to prove at this level.

The offense didn’t need to do much, but a few guys made their at-bats count. Zach Ehrhard launched a solo homer and drew a walk — a nice bounce in the leadoff spot. Jack Suwinski went 2-for-4 with a homer of his own. Suwinski has been around the block, and games like this are what the Dodgers need from him — consistent contact with some pop mixed in. Eliezer Alfonzo added an RBI double, and Ryan Fitzgerald reached twice, scored a run, and swiped a bag. Noah Miller quietly went 2-for-3 with a walk — he continues to put together quality at-bats at the plate.

Ronan Kopp picked up the win in relief despite also getting tagged with a blown save. He cleaned up his inning — one strikeout, no walks, no damage. Sometimes the line looks messier than the actual performance. Kopp got the job done when it mattered.

Tulsa Drillers (Double-A) — W, 10-5 vs Wichita

This was the Zyhir Hope show. Six RBIs. A homer. Two runs scored. A stolen base. That’s the kind of night that gets your name circled in the front office. Hope went 2-for-4 and did damage every time he came up with runners on. He’s been flashing power all year, but six ribbies in a single game is a statement. Keep an eye on this one.

Elijah Hainline set the table beautifully at the top of the order — 2-for-2 with a double, a walk, a steal, an RBI, and two runs scored. He was on base every time up. That’s exactly the kind of high-OBP, multi-tool game we want to see from him as he pushes toward the upper levels. Mike Sirota reached three times (walk, HBP, and a hit) and scored twice, doing the little things right from the center field spot. Sean McLain added two hits including a double and scored twice, though the two strikeouts are worth watching. Chris Newell had two hits with a double, but three punchouts in five at-bats is a reminder that the swing-and-miss is still part of his profile. Kole Myers didn’t get a hit but walked twice and drove in a run — productive outs and patient at-bats matter.

On the mound, it wasn’t Payton Martin‘s best night. Five innings, five earned runs. He did strike out five and only walked one, so it wasn’t a control issue — he just got hit. Sometimes that happens in Double-A when hitters lock in on your stuff. We’ll want to see how he responds next time out. Christian Suarez came on for the win (despite the blown save notation) and was sharp — one inning, two strikeouts, no runs. Suarez now sits at 4-3 on the year.

Great Lakes Loons (High-A) — L, 5-8 vs Fort Wayne

A tough one for our guys in Midland. The Loons couldn’t keep pace with Fort Wayne and dropped this one 8-5. The offense had some life but never really strung together the big inning they needed.

Eduardo Guerrero provided the biggest swing of the night — a two-run homer — but also struck out twice in five at-bats. That’s the kind of mixed bag you see with young hitters learning to manage the zone at this level. The power is real; the consistency will come. Emil Morales had an RBI double and drew a walk, which is encouraging, but three strikeouts in four at-bats is a lot. He’s a young shortstop still adjusting to High-A pitching, so we’ll give him time, but the K rate is worth monitoring. Jose D. Hernandez went 2-for-4 and scored a run — a steady night at first base.

Not a lot to highlight from the pitching side here. This was a game where the staff gave up too many runs and the offense couldn’t quite make up the difference. It happens. On to the next one.

Ontario Tower Buzzers (Single-A) — L, 9-10 vs Fresno

Nine runs should be enough to win a ballgame. It wasn’t tonight. The Buzzers put up crooked numbers all night but couldn’t stop the bleeding on the pitching side, falling 10-9 to Fresno in a game that had to be frustrating to watch.

Can we talk about Jaron Elkins for a second? The center fielder went 3-for-5 with a homer, a double, three RBIs, three runs scored, and a walk. That’s about as complete a night as you can have at the plate. He was the engine of the entire offense. Landyn Vidourek was right there with him — 3-for-4 with a triple, a double, a walk, three RBIs, and a stolen base. Those are two guys who did everything they could to win this game. Brendan Tunink chipped in with two hits including a double, two RBIs, and a walk from the DH spot. Mairoshendrick Martinus (and yes, that’s a name to remember) tripled, drove in a run, and scored twice. Javier Herrera doubled and scored twice. Easton Shelton didn’t get a hit but drew two walks — discipline at the plate is a skill, and he showed it.

The problem was obvious: pitching. Jesus Tillero went 4.2 innings and gave up four earned runs on three walks with just one strikeout. When you’re not missing bats and you’re walking guys, it’s going to be a long night. Accimias Morales came on and allowed another earned run in 1.1 innings, picking up a blown save. The bullpen just couldn’t hold the line. In a game where your offense gives you nine runs, you have to find a way to get outs.

ACL Dodgers (Arizona Complex League) — W, 7-6 vs ACL Reds

A tight one in the desert, and our ACL squad came out on top 7-6. Sam Mongelli was the catalyst — 2-for-3 with a three-run homer, a hit-by-pitch, and two runs scored. That’s the kind of game that shows up on the development radar. A three-run shot from a young shortstop changes everything about a game like this.

Nelson Quiroz went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Agustin Acosta drove in two with a double. Quietly, Eduardo Rojas went 2-for-2 with a walk behind the plate — a perfect day reaching base. Jose Gonzalez was also 2-for-2 at first base. Jhon Gil went 2-for-3 in center. And Yojackson Laya didn’t record an official at-bat but got hit by a pitch and scored twice — just finding ways to contribute.

The pitching was a bit of an adventure. Adriano Marrero threw four innings with four strikeouts and no walks, which is good command, but he did allow three earned runs. Wuillians Herrera got the win in two innings of relief, striking out two, though he walked two and gave up two earned. Neither guy was dominant, but they did enough. Sometimes that’s what rookie ball is — survive and develop.

DSL Dodgers (Dominican Summer League) — Split: L 5-8 vs DSL Rays / W 4-1 vs DSL Red Sox Red

A split day for our DSL club — a loss and a win. Let’s start with the fun part.

In the loss to the Rays, Fran-Jean Haseth went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, and four RBIs. Four-for-four. Two dingers. From a DSL outfielder. That’s a day you don’t forget. Despite the loss, Haseth’s performance is impossible to ignore. Is this a breakout, or is this who he is? We’ll be watching closely. Ricardo Pulles added a solo homer behind the plate. Haram Hernandez went 2-for-3 with a double and was hit by a pitch. Rubel Arias didn’t get a hit but drew two walks and scored a run — getting on base any way you can. Unfortunately, the pitching couldn’t keep up. Androu Gabriel was tagged with a blown save, allowing a run on two walks in his inning of work.

The win over the Red Sox Red was a much cleaner game, and the pitching deserves all the credit. Yadier Zamora was outstanding — five innings, four strikeouts, no walks, one earned run. That’s a quality start at any level. Angel Medina then came in and slammed the door with four shutout innings, three strikeouts, and just one walk to earn the save. Nine combined innings from two arms with only one run allowed. That’s how you win ballgames.

Offensively, Antoni Urena led off nicely — 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored. Helvin Mendoza went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a steal, and a run. Edgar Sanchez went 2-for-3 with a run and a stolen base. Hendry Arvelo drove in two despite only getting one hit. Jose Rivas didn’t get a hit but walked, scored, and stole a base — showing the kind of hustle you want to see at this level. A solid team win all around.