Adam Serwinowski turned in the kind of outing that makes a minor-league box score stop you in your tracks.
The Tulsa left-hander worked eight innings in a tight win over Wichita, the longest start of his professional career, and did it in a game the Drillers badly needed. Serwinowski gave up two solo homers but otherwise controlled the Wind Surge, allowing just two runs while Tulsa edged Wichita and pushed to 31 games over .500. The victory also gave the Drillers their most wins ever at 79.
It was a welcome jolt for Serwinowski, whose season has been rough overall with an ERA north of 5.00. On this night, though, he looked like a different pitcher entirely.
Tulsa’s offense didn’t pile up runs, but it did just enough behind him. Logan Wagner got the Drillers started with a solo homer in the second, then came through again in the sixth with the go-ahead RBI single. Kole Wagner also played a part in the scoring without recording a hit, working three walks and constantly forcing Wichita to deal with traffic.
At Triple-A Oklahoma City, the Comets won 7-4 even though neither starter found much rhythm. Christian Romero and David Davalillo each gave up four runs, but Oklahoma City’s bullpen slammed the door with 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. Kris Bubic was part of that relief effort in his first rehab appearance and struck out two.
The Comets’ fifth inning decided the game. Matt Gorski and Ryan Fitzgerald each homered, with Fitzgerald adding a game-tying two-run double before Hyeseong Kim followed with the go-ahead RBI double.
High-A Great Lakes had a much rougher night, and the defense was a big reason why. The Loons committed three errors in a 4-3 loss to the Captains, matching their miscues to their runs scored.
Mairo Martinus, who has made a strong start to his Great Lakes run, had two of those errors. Robby Porco took the loss, and the only earned run charged to the staff came on his watch.
Victor Rodriguez supplied most of the offense from the ninth spot in the order. He entered the game with one home run in more than 250 at-bats, then launched a two-run shot in the seventh that briefly put the Loons ahead before the game slipped away in the seventh and ninth.
Class-A Ontario followed a similar script. The Tower Buzzers were beaten 8-6 by the Quakes after losing a late lead, and all eight Rancho Cucamonga runs came from the sixth inning on.
The bullpen unraveling included blown saves from Camden Wimbish, Accibias Morales, and Devin Bell, wasting a strong start from Jack O’Connor. He threw five scoreless innings and struck out seven but came away with nothing.
Ontario’s offense leaned heavily on power. Caleb Johnson hit a two-run homer, while Joendry Vargas and Jose Gonzalez each added solo shots. Bryan Gonzalez Garcia and Easton Shelton each struck out three times.
On the transaction front, outfielders Kyeler Thompson and Jose Gonzalez were assigned to Ontario. Oklahoma City added Alek Thomas after Alex Freeland was called up to the majors, and Kris Bubic began a rehab assignment with the Comets.
In Other News...
Disturbing Scene Unfolded Near Dodger Stadium During Wednesdays Game
Police were called to the area near Dodger Stadium during Wednesdays game and found a man deceased outside the ballpark, a grim scene unfolding in the shadow of one of baseballs most familiar venues. Authorities have not identified the man, and at this stage they do not suspect foul play, leaving the focus on the work still ahead for investigators and the medical examiners office.
The case remains under investigation as officials try to determine what happened and notify next of kin. For a Dodgers crowd used to tracking every pitch and playoff race detail, the news was a stark reminder that the action around a game can sometimes extend far beyond the field. [Read more 🡒]
Disturbing Scene Unfolded Outside Dodger Stadium During Cardinals Game
Los Angeles police were called to the area near Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night while the Cardinals were in town, and officers later found a man dead outside the ballpark. The man has not been identified, but authorities said they do not suspect foul play.
The investigation remains open as officials work to notify the mans next of kin, leaving unanswered questions about how the scene unfolded near one of baseballs busiest settings. For a Dodgers crowd already focused on the game, the discovery added a somber note to an otherwise ordinary night around the stadium. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers Prospects Just Put More Pressure On A Crowded Depth Chart
The Dodgers farm system kept churning Wednesday, and the offensive noise came from a pair of Double-A bats who gave Tulsa another reminder that the organizations infield and outfield depth is anything but settled. Jake Gelof and Kole Myers each launched two home runs in the Drillers win, while the club also shuffled its roster with pitcher Aidan Foeller and second baseman Sean McLain coming off injury lists and Adrian Marrero moving down to Class-A Ontario.
At Triple-A Oklahoma City, Alek Thomas supplied the deciding punch with a go-ahead two-run homer, and starter Jackson Ferris turned in a strong outing on the mound. The days movement also included Ben Rortvedt heading to Oklahoma City, another small but notable sign of how many players are pushing for position as the Dodgers sort through an increasingly crowded depth chart. [Read more 🡒]