Oklahoma City Comets (Triple-A)

Alek Thomas did what we’ve been waiting to see more often from him: take over a game with his bat. The center fielder went 2-for-5 with two home runs, a walk, and three runs scored in OKC’s 7-3 win over Round Rock. That’s the kind of performance that reminds you why he’s still on the radar. Thomas added a stolen base too — he’s playing with intent right now, and in September at Triple-A, that matters. Cole Irvin was excellent on the mound, working six innings with just one earned run and four strikeouts while not walking a soul. Jerming Rosario picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief.

Hyeseong Kim went hitless (0-for-5) but drew a walk and drove in a run, which is the kind of productive at-bat that doesn’t show up in the box score until you look closer. Noah Miller at third base scored twice and Eliezer Alfonzo behind the plate drew two walks. Not flashy, but the Comets’ depth showed up when it needed to.

Tulsa Drillers (Double-A)

A tight one. The Drillers edged Wichita 5-4, and Jake Gelof was the offensive spark — one hit, but it was a home run, and he drove in two runs and scored one himself. In close games at Double-A, that’s often enough. Kelvin Ramirez didn’t need to be perfect: two innings, one earned run, one strikeout, no walks. He picked up the win with solid, economical work out of the pen. This is the kind of grinding victory that separates teams down the stretch.

Great Lakes Loons (High-A)

This one was a rout, and it was beautiful. Great Lakes crushed Lake County 13-7 behind a balanced offensive attack that showed off the depth of this prospect group. Emil Morales at short was the standout — 5-for-6 with a home run, a double, and four RBIs. That’s a line that gets your attention. Nico Perez at second went 4-for-6 with three RBIs and a run. When your middle infielders are hitting like that, good things happen. Eduardo Quintero contributed two hits including a double and drove in a run. Gio Cueto behind the plate went 1-for-3 but drove in two runs with a walk added in. Charles Davalan, the DH, drew two walks and got hit by a pitch — he was on base whenever it mattered.

The pitching told the story of depth and youth. Will Gagnon went four innings, fanned seven, and gave up just one earned run while walking two. Then Maddux Bruns came in and was absolutely electric — 1.1 innings, five strikeouts, no earned runs. That’s the kind of stuff that makes you sit up and take notes. Keep an eye on Bruns especially; when a young arm can come in and strike out five in under two innings, you’re looking at real talent.

Ontario Tower Buzzers (Single-A)

One loss worth mentioning, even though Ontario fell 10-7 to Rancho Cucamonga. Oswaldo Osorio at first was the bright spot — 3-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs, two runs, and two walks. Perfect night at the plate. Ching-Hsien Ko in left field went 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, and two runs scored. Jose Gonzalez in left added a triple and a run on two hits. Kyeler Thompson from center had a triple and an RBI as well.

The pitching couldn’t hold. Marlon Nieves was solid in his four innings — seven strikeouts, just two earned runs on three walks — but Dailoui Abad got caught in a tough spot. Two innings of work, two strikeouts, but seven earned runs came across and he took the loss while earning a blown save. That’s a tough night, though the earlier innings gave them every chance to win. Single-A baseball means these swings are sharper; you win some ugly, you lose some close.