ACL Dodgers (Arizona Complex League — Rookie)

Loss, 6-7 vs ACL Guardians

A one-run loss is always frustrating, but there was some pop in this lineup worth noting. Sam Mongelli got into one and drove it out for a three-RBI homer — the kind of damage swing you want to see from a DH slot. That single swing accounted for half the team’s runs. Gio Cueto added a solo homer of his own, so we had two long balls in the same game from our ACL guys. Cueto also scored twice, so he was involved all night.

Nico Perez reached base twice (a single and a walk) and came around to score both times. He’s doing what you want a middle infielder to do — get on base, create havoc, score runs. Abel Lorenzo was quietly the most consistent bat in the lineup, going 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base. He put the ball in play every at-bat and did something productive with it. Sometimes that kind of line gets overlooked next to the homers, but it shouldn’t.

The issue here was clearly on the pitching side and in the margins. When you score six and lose by one, you left the door open somewhere. Still, two homers and six runs from this group is a solid offensive day — they just needed one more stop.

DSL Dodgers — Game 1 (Dominican Summer League — Rookie)

Loss, 0-2 vs DSL Royals Fortuna

Not much to say here — a shutout loss with no batting highlights to speak of. Getting blanked is never fun, especially in the DSL where pitching can be wildly inconsistent from game to game. Sometimes you just run into a guy who’s on, or your lineup collectively has an off day. This was one of those. We move on.

DSL Dodgers — Game 2 (Dominican Summer League — Rookie)

Loss, 6-11 vs DSL CLE Goryl

An 11-run loss sounds ugly, and the pitching certainly didn’t hold up, but the offensive story here belongs to Antoni Urena. The shortstop went 2-for-5 with a homer, a double, and four RBIs. That’s a legitimate impact game from a young middle infielder. Driving in four runs means he was doing damage in big spots — not just padding numbers with the game out of reach. When a DSL shortstop shows that kind of pop alongside extra-base ability, you pay attention.

Roberto Saucedo had a nice day behind the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, an RBI, a stolen base, and two runs scored. That’s a full stat line from a catcher — on-base ability, some thump, and enough athleticism to swipe a bag. Jesus Villaflor also contributed, reaching base three times (1-for-2 with two walks), driving in a run, and stealing a base. He was selective and made pitchers come to him. At this level, that kind of plate discipline stands out.

Rafy Peguero collected two hits and a stolen base, though the caught stealing tempers it slightly. Jose Victorino and Helvin Mendoza each swiped a bag — Mendoza drew a walk as well — but neither had much success at the plate. Luis Luna drew two walks but struck out three times in between. That’s a pretty common DSL profile: a hitter figuring out the zone, showing some eye, but getting punished when he does swing. It’s a process.

On the mound, Jose Acevedo took the loss and the blown save, lasting just 1.2 innings while giving up two earned runs. It was a rough outing in a game that got away from us. The final score says it all — we needed a lot more from the pitching staff in this one.