Failing to produce offensively at the level you’d expect, the Comets lost another low-scoring game. The Drillers took control of their game early and never relinquished, beating the Sod Poodles at home.
Player of the day
Not much can be said about Josue De Paula’s campaign that hasn’t been said already, with Thursday’s performance yet another decisive one for the Tulsa Drillers. Responsible for half of his team’s eight RBI, the talented outfield prospect hit his 24th home run of the season.
Those 24 homers represent a massive improvement in the slugging department for a hitter who had accumulated 22 long balls in over 200 games across the previous two seasons combined.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
Alek Thomas’ inside-the-park home run drove in all the runs the Comets scored in yet another low-scoring defeat, this one at the hands of the Space Cowboys. Both teams combined for just seven hits in this 3-2 loss on the road.
Dominant, but not yet able to provide a lengthy outing, Gavin Stone tossed three perfect innings before handing it over to Christian Romero, who would let across all three of the Space Cowboys’ runs, two of them unearned thanks to an error.
Double-A Tulsa
We’re only about two-thirds into the month of August, and Josue De Paula has already made it his most powerful month of the season. One of the Dodgers’ top prospects, De Paula hit a three-run shot in an 8-5 win for the Drillers, his third one in the last four games.
While Chris Newell had the worst performance among hitters on either side, striking out in all four of his plate appearances, a different Comet outfielder managed to leave the park as well: Kole Myers with a sixth-inning solo shot.
Improving his form since a call-up to Double-A, pitcher Aidan Foeller struck out six in five innings and finally earned his first win in Tulsa, even if the bullpen nearly gave it away.
High-A Great Lakes
It was all about the left side of the infield for the Loons in a 7-2 win over Fort Wayne, whose pitchers are probably tired of facing Mairo Martinus at this point. Recently promoted to High-A ball, Martinus has accumulated 12 total bases in just three games against Fort Wayne. However important Martinus’ grand slam was, Emil Morales was first responsible for handing the Loons the lead, leaving the yard in the first, now with an incredible 108 RBI this season, number one across all minor league baseball.
Completing five full innings for only the second time this season. Will Gagnon finally secured a win, holding the opposition to just one unearned run. Reliever Robby Porco ran into some trouble late in this one with three walks covering the final two frames, but nothing that would jeopardize the Loons’ win
Class-A Ontario
Walking the house with four free passes before he could complete three innings, starter Jack O’Connor set the tone negatively early on. The Tower Buzzers allowed a five-run third inning on their way to losing the game by a score of 12-5. The walks weren’t a problem exclusive to O’Connor, as three of the four relievers who followed him all gave out multiple free passes.
Offensively, catcher Brian Gonzalez Garcia had one of his finest performances of the season, even if, without much support, it didn’t come close to making this a proper contest. Ontario’s catcher recorded four RBI for only the second time this season.
Transactions
The Ontario Tower Buzzers activated shortstop Aidan West off the injured list. Right-handed pitcher Cam Leiter was promoted from the Ontario Tower Buzzers to the Great Lakes Loons.
Thursday’s scores
- Sugar Land 3, Oklahoma City 2
- Tulsa 8, Amarillo 5
- Fort Wayne 2, Great Lakes 7
- Ontario 5, Inland Empire 12
Friday’s schedule
- 4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Brooks Auger) at Fort Wayne (Matthew Watson
- 5:00 p.m. PT: Tulsa (Christian Zazueta) vs. Amarillo (Junior Sanchez)
- 5:05 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Cole Irvin) at Sugar Land (Ronel Blanco)
- 6:35 p.m. PT: Ontario (TBD) vs. Inland Empire (Jackson Steensma)
