The night in the minors had plenty of power, but the pitching lines told just as much of the story.
At Hickory, Jesus Lafalaise turned in the cleanest outing of the bunch. He worked five innings, gave up one run on a solo homer, struck out nine and walked one.
The bullpen had a rougher time after that. Jormy Nivar was charged with four runs in 0.2 innings while walking two, Michael Trausch allowed two runs in an inning despite striking out three and walking two, and Louis Marinaro finished with two strikeouts and no runs over 1.1 innings.
Hickory’s offense had a few bright spots behind that. Yolfran Castillo drew two walks and stole a base, Dewar Tovar went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk, and Pablo Guerrero and Paulino Santana each picked up a hit and a walk. Angel Arredondo also had a hit.
Hub City got a big night at the plate from Maxton Martin, who homered twice. Hector Osorio added a 2-for-4 night with a homer of his own, while Chandler Pollard doubled and stole a base.
Yeison Morrobel chipped in a hit. On the mound, David Davalillo was back in full season action but had a tough return, allowing five runs in 2.1 innings with three walks, four strikeouts and a homer allowed.
Kamdyn Perry also gave up four runs in four innings, though he struck out seven and walked three.
Frisco got a solid start from Dalton Pence, who went 5.1 innings and allowed a solo homer while walking two and striking out two. Joey Danielson then retired both batters he faced.
The offense was driven by Dylan Dreiling, who hit two homers. Rafe Perich and Ian Moller each added a hit, with Moller also drawing a walk.
Round Rock saw Joe Ross allow three runs in 0.1 innings, with one walk and one strikeout. Ryan Lobus gave up a solo homer in 1.2 innings while striking out five, and Michel Otanez allowed a solo homer in an inning of work and struck out three. At the plate, John Tyalor homered, Jarred Kelenic doubled and walked, and Aaron Zavala finished with a hit and a walk.
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Smiths value is complicated by a season that has not matched his usual production, which is part of why he has become a possible trade chip rather than an obvious building block. He is also under club control through 2028, so the Rangers do not have to move him, but that kind of flexibility can make a player useful in deadline talks if Texas decides it needs to address another area before the market closes. [Read more 🡒]