Down on the farm: Alex Freeland walks it off for Tulsa

May 20, 2024

A recap of Sunday’s minor league action.

OKC closed out their series with a 6-4 victory over the River Cats.
Andre Lipcius (1B) had two more hits and drove in a run. He continues to tear it up in OKC, as he owns a .329 AVG, 1.017 OPS and 145 wRC+ this season. He’s spent time at 1B, 2B and 3B so he can play all over the infield. At some point I wonder if the Dodgers opt to give him a shot.
Drew Avans (CF) drove in two runs with a single.
Chris Owings (RF) was tied for the team lead with two hits and two RBI.
Dinelson Lamet (RHP) allowed two runs in four innings. He had four strikeouts. So far this season, Lamet has a 3.49 ERA with OKC.
John Rooney (LHP) struck out two in a scoreless ninth to record his first save of the season.

The Drillers came from behind in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Wind Surge, 6-5.
Trailing by a run, Diego Cartaya (C) and Dalton Rushing (C) reached base to begin the frame. Speaking of Cartaya, I want to shout him out real quick because he’s been heating up lately. Over his last six games, he has three home runs and is hitting .318 with a 1.173 OPS and 206 wRC+. It’s only six games, but this is the best stretch he’s had at the plate in quite some time. Hopefully he can keep it up.
After a grounder tied the game, Alex Freeland (SS) singled in the game-winning run. He finished the game with two hits, two walks, two RBI and three runs scored. Freeland was tearing it up with the Loons this season in High-A and has been just as good in Double-A. Since being promoted to Tulsa, Freeland has a .955 OPS and 174 wRC+ in 16 games.
Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (RHP) allowed three runs in 4.1 innings.

The Loons defeated the Dragons, 3-1.
Thayron Liranzo (C) continues his hot stretch as he hit his first two homers of the season. Over his last nine games, he’s hitting .364 with a 1.142 OPS and 209 wRC+.
Jake Gelof (3B) had a two-hit day and drove in the other run for the Loons.
Peter Heubeck (RHP) had another great outing. He allowed only one run in four innings and had five strikeouts. The former 3rd rounder is having his best season so far. In eight starts, he’s posted a 3.19 ERA and has struck out 45 batters in 31 innings. He’s still only 21 years old.
Kelvin Ramirez (RHP) tossed two scoreless innings for his fourth save. He has a 0.95 ERA in 14 games this year.

There was a lot of offense, unfortunately most of it came via the 66ers as they defeated the Quakes, 18-8.
Jordan Thompson (SS) hit his sixth homer of the year. A 15th round pick in 2023, he owns a .890 OPS and 135 wRC+ with the Quakes.
Jesus Galiz (C) had a three-hit day. The Dodgers are absolutely loaded at the catcher position. The 20-year-old has a .863 OPS and 143 wRC+ this season with Rancho.
Patrick Copen (RHP) allowed three runs in four innings. He had four strikeouts.
The bullpen allowed 15 runs in the five innings that followed. Not great!

Thinking Blue with Blake Harris