Don’t Worry, Be Happy!!!!!

I love baseball. It makes me a very happy person. I love the Dodgers. Over the years they have been my go-to activity for relaxation. And the last 11 seasons have been unreal. Never before in the history of the franchise has there been this much in season success. Yes, they have had their problems in the post season, but name a franchise that hasn’t. 

Many fans, not all, complain that they have won only one championship in that span. A logical complaint. But the Braves won 14 division titles in 15 seasons from 1991 to 2006. And they won only one World Series. There were no playoffs in 1994 due to the strike. Some fans also decry the fact that the 2020 series was not legitimate since it came in a shortened season. Well, all the teams played under the same rules and circumstances, so it is very legitimate. If one thinks that, they must also think the 1981 title is not legit. 

Again, all the teams played under the same rules. If anybody had a real gripe about that season, it had to be the Reds, who won the most games in the NL, but missed the playoffs because they finished second in both halves. So, the Astro’s, who won the second half in the NL West, and the Dodgers, who won the first half, played for the division title. 

The game can be really unfair at times. I have been lucky enough to be alive when the Dodgers have won all seven of their titles. My favorite has to be 1963 when they swept the Yankees. 1959 was nice, because it was the first in LA. We have seen some really good teams in LA, and we have seen a few stinkers. Believe me, the last 11 seasons have been a lot more fun that when they were not even close to contending. 

I really do understand the frustration the fans feel. Unfortunately, it is just not that easy to win the whole thing and the best team is not always the last team standing. All the arguments have been put out there as to why the Dodgers have found it so hard to cross that finish line. And blame is placed in many places including upper management, Dave Roberts, who is one of the fans favorite whipping boys, to the hitting coaches and pitching gurus. 

Another thing that really baffles me is the reaction of a portion of the fan base over a loss in April or May. It also happens when the offense sputters, or the pitching falters in early season games. You can look back over the last month or so and see that the Dodgers are not really hitting on all cylinders. The have been barely above .500 for the last several weeks. They lost series to the Pirates and the Reds, both sub-.500 teams. Fans went bat nuts. 

Now, with injuries to two major starting lineup pieces, Betts and Muncy, the loss of Yamamoto for an unknown period of time, and the lack of production from bench pieces, Chris Taylor, Kike Hernandez, and Austin Barnes. Fans want change. And they want it now, not at the deadline. AF did pick up infielder Cavan Biggio. But Biggio has not exactly lit up the scoreboard with hits, so fans are down on that deal already. 

Taylor has been awful. But he is also a fan favorite, and well-liked by his teammates and management. He also has another year on his deal at quite a bit of money, so trading him would not be easy. Kike is a mystery. He played well for the Dodgers after being traded back last season, but he has struggled all of this year. 

Miller has struggled since his return, so I really believe that they really need to get at least one starting pitcher at the deadline, and I mean someone who can give them length, so the pen does not get burned out. I also think they need better bench pieces than they have now. Cavan Biggio has not really impressed much. It is said he is working with the batting coaches to alter his approach. 

With the deadline now just a little over a month away, I have to believe that Gomes and Freidman are exploring all of their options. This team has a ton of talent on the roster and in the minors. I would love to see what Lipcius can do at the major league level. He sure has played well at AAA. Maybe give Vargas a few more opportunities against RHP. Whatever they do, the second half of this season is going to be exciting. 

MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS

Josue De Paula has been selected as our All Pro Player of the Week for his team-leading average and impressive nine RBIs over six games. Congratulations, Josue 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WCbK6VJ9K1

— Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (@RCQuakes) June 27, 2024

Reno Aces (Arizona) 4 – OKC Baseball Club 2

River Ryan started for OKC and completed 3.2 IP allowing one run, 2 hits, 1 BB, while registering 5 Ks.

Jack Little relieved Ryan and allowed 3 runs in his 1.1 IP.

Sauryn Lao made his 3^rd OKC relief appearance.  He went 2.0 innings allowing 1 hit, 1 BB, and 2 K.

Michael Flynn pitched a scoreless 8^th, registering 2 Ks.

Austin Gauthier homered in the 9^th for OKC’s final run.

Austin Gauthier starts off the ninth inning comeback with a home run! pic.twitter.com/fJNrioARAP

— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) June 28, 2024

• Austin Gauthier – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (8), HR (2)
• Chris Okey – 2-4, 1 run

Box Score

Tulsa Drillers 2 – Amarillo Sod Poodles (Arizona) 1

Chris Campos, a 23 year old RHP from St. Mary’s (sound familiar) was making his AA debut and was simply brilliant.  He completed 6.0 innings, 76 pitches (56 pitches).  He allowed 4 hits, but did not walk a batter while striking out 5.

For some good news on the timeline right now…..#Dodgers RHP prospect Chris Campos had a great Double-A debut tonight:

6.0 IP
4 H
0 R
0 BB
5 K
76 P / 56 S

The 23-year-old lived in the zone in his first Double-A action. He posted a 3.15 ERA in High-A. pic.twitter.com/rKYcApy7yF

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 28, 2024

Chris Campos can really manipulate his slider! Sometimes it cuts other times it has depth, it changes speeds & is in the zone a lot. It's obvious he understands what makes him good & that leads to an impressive consistency in executing. Works great in big moments too! #dodgers pic.twitter.com/ZazoM35FIn

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 28, 2024

Tulsa broke out on top in the 4^th with a two out Brendon Davis triple and José Ramos single.

Michael Hobbs relieved Campos in the 7^th and issued 2 walks and a run tying single.

In the bottom of the 7th, Ramos had a one-out single followed by a two out double by Alex Freeland.  Ramos scored on a fielding error on the play.

Logan Boyer pitched the final two scoreless innings, allowing a single with 3 Ks to record his 5^th save.

Logan Boyer has a Huge FB that really carries the top of the zone, but he also is not afraid to throw his slider just about any time he wants. Very impressive mound presence, gives vibes that he's in total control of his mix & sequencing. Large reasons why his ERA is just 1.35.… pic.twitter.com/mPrkNJcQjl

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 28, 2024

• José Ramos – 2-3, 1 RBI
• Double – Alex Freeland (10)
• Triple – Brandon Davis (1)

Jose Ramos had 2 hits for AA Tulsa after having 3 hits yesterday. He's now 5 for his last 6 with a double & 5 RBIs. Here's a look at him from the stadium. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/zuAbLPJGpI

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 28, 2024

Dalton Rushing had a base hit and ran the Center Fielder into the wall on a ball that he was a little early on. That last ball goes to show the carry he gets on his fly balls. WRC+ 140, ISO is higher than K%. Here's different angles of different swings from the stadium. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/n1Wh0O11mM

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 28, 2024

Here's a good look at different angles and several swings and some hard contact from Alex Freeland. Freeland is hitting .286, OPS .932, has 9 Home Runs & 17 Stolen Bases. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/qk6ARSea08

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 28, 2024

Box Score

Lake County Captains (Cleveland) 13 – Great Lakes Loons 3

Patrick Copen made his Great Lakes debut and completed 2.2 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, 3 BB and 3 K.  He threw 67 pitches. 

Great Lakes got one run back on a pair of walks and a Kyle Nevin single.

Lake County scored 11 runs against the Loons bullpen.

Great Lakes scored a pair of runs in the 8^th on 2 walks and 2 singles.

• Kyle Nevin – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI
• Jordan Thompson – 2-4, 2 RBI
• Josue De Paula – 0-1, 4 BB, 2 runs

Box Score

Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego) 9 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 8 – 10 Innings

The Quakes jumped out to a 6-0 lead after 5 innings but could not hold it.  The Storm scored 6 in the 6^th – 8^th innings. 

RC scored 3 unearned runs in the first.  Sean McLain reached 1^st on an infield error.  He scored after a pair of singles from Alexander Albertus and Jeral Perez.  A groundout moved the runners to 3^rd and 2^nd, and they scored on a Carlos Rojas single.

3^rd inning doubles by Samuel Munoz and Jeral Perez scored a 4^th run.

In the 4^th, Jose Meza singled and scored ahead of Sean McLain’s HR for a 6-0 lead.

Wyatt Crowell had his 2^nd solid RC start.  He is still on a strict pitch count.  He increased his pitch count from 33 to 46, although he was not as efficient as was only able to get through 2.1 IP instead of 3.0 he had last start.  He allowed 1 hit, 2 BB, and registered 4 K.

Sean Linen waltzed through 2.1 innings without a baserunner.  But a HBP and triple gave the Storm their 1^st run in the 6^th.  With 2 out in the 7^th and a runner on 1^st and 2^nd , Linan gave up a single and double to give LE 3 more runs to make the score 6-4.

Reynaldo Yean relieved Linan in the 8^th.  Three walks and an error scores 1.  Christian Ruebeck relieved Yean and threw a WP for the game tying run.

RC scored a pair in the 10^th.  With a runner starting at 2^nd, Alexander Albertus double home one run, and he came around to score on a throwing error.

But Callum Wallace could not protect a 2-run lead, and the Storm scored 3 in the bottom of the 10^th for a walk off win.

• Alexander Albertus – 2-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI
• Jeral Perez – 3-5, 1 run, 2 RBI
• Double – Samuel Munoz (8), Alexander Albertus (1), Jeral Perez (13)
• Triple – Wilman Diaz (3)
• HR – Sean McLain (1)

Box Score

ACL Brewers 11 – ACL Dodgers 5

Box Score

DSL

#Dodgers SS prospect & 2024 IFA signee Emil Morales in his last two games:

6 AB
4 HR
1 2B
18 TB
5 RBI
3 BB
0 K

The 17-year-old has raised his slash line in the DSL to .311/.442/.557/.999. It’s been a fantastic start to his pro career. pic.twitter.com/2sBnYGA0ih

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 28, 2024

#Dodgers OF prospect Arnaldo Lantigua hit his 5th homer of the Dominican Summer League season

The 18-year-old has an .878 OPS pic.twitter.com/PXnCfwDonv

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 28, 2024