Max Muncy. Say the name to Dodger fans and you will get many different reactions. Some love Max for his power production and his ability to get on base a lot. He has a great eye and takes a lot of borderline pitches that other players might flail at. But this season, Max is off to probably the worst start of his career. In 36 games played, Maxwell’s one-time silver hammer has turned to lead and produced only 1 homer, and a .188 BA. His OPS is .600, 218 points below his career OPS. He has struck out 43 times in 117 at bats.
Michael Conforto. Dodger fans know him mainly as a Met, signed for 17 million dollars, he was supposed to add a solid left-handed power bat to the lineup. His signing allowed the Dodgers to move Teo to right, where he is most comfortable, and let Mookie make the move to SS, at least until Freeland is ready. Conforto is a career .247 hitter with an OPS just under .800 at .798. He has slugged 169 homers in his 10-year career with a career high of 33 in 2019 with the Mets. He is off to an even worse start than Muncy, batting .135 in 35 games with 2 homers, and an OPS of .503. He has struck out 40 times in 111 at bats. 
How long can the Dodgers stay with these two in the everyday lineup? According to Doc, he is sticking with both, and he believes that both players will turn things around sooner than later. Really? Muncy is 4-24 in his last 7 games. Conforto is 1-21 with 9 Ks in his last 7 games. Granted, both have hit in a little bad luck. Conforto scorched two balls last night, one was a flyout to deep center, and the other hit right at the second baseman. Muncy had a double that went into the pool at Chase Field last night, and the ball was really crushed.
Even as popular with fans as he is, there has been a lot of fan chatter for change sooner than later. I would venture to say that both players feel worse about their performances so far than the fans do. I have seen Muncy show a lot of frustration over the last several games, and Conforto openly admitted on Yahoo sports today that he was sick over not delivering in the clutch in last night’s game. Both are not starting tonight’s game against a LHP, Eduardo Rodriguez. Last season, Conforto had reverse splits, hitting lefties better than right handers. In his career, Muncy is hitting 11 points lower against LHP than right. But his OPS is almost at .800 against them.
Many fans want the Dodgers to promote Dalton Rushing and give him a shot in left, but in all honesty, the kid has played about 32 games in left in his young career. LA still considers him a catcher. Like it or not, the Dodgers seem very committed to Conforto for the foreseeable future. The same with Muncy. If both continue to struggle, there has to be a point where management says enough is enough and some sort of changes are made. Only time will tell.
MiLB GAME SUMMARIES
Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado) 4 – OKC Comets 3
The Oklahoma City Comets scored two runs in the eighth inning, but were unable to complete a comeback in a 4-3 loss to the Albuquerque Isotopes Friday night. The Comets took the first lead of the night on a solo home run by Austin Gauthier in the third inning.
Austin Gauthier's big fly puts the Comets ahead! pic.twitter.com/woJ8Xq9ZUD
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) May 10, 2025
Albuquerque tied the score on a RBI ground-rule double by Zac Veen in the fourth inning and the Isotopes went on to build a 4-1 lead, including a home run by Keston Hiura in the eighth inning.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Esteury Ruiz scored a run on a passed ball and a RBI double by Michael Chavis trimmed the deficit to one run. Isotopes pitcher Antoine Kelly then retired all three Oklahoma City batters he faced in the ninth inning to preserve the win for Albuquerque.
Comets starting pitcher, Nick Frasso, pitched 4.1 innings throwing 81 pitches (56 strikes). He allowed 1 run, 4 hits, 2 BB, 5 K. In the 8th, JP Feyereisen gave up the 2 eventual winning runs on 3 hits, including a HR, in his 0.1 IP.
The Oklahoma City offense was held to a season-low three hits and the team’s lowest hit total since Sept. 6, 2024, against Sugar Land when OKC was also held to three hits…Two of the Comets’ hits went for extra bases as Austin Gauthier hit his second homer of the season. The Comets had been held without a home run in four of the previous five games entering Friday.
Michael Chavis hit his third double in the last two games and fourth double in his last four games. He also finished Friday’s game with a walk and a RBI.
Esteury Ruiz drew two walks, scored a run and recorded his league-leading 19th stolen base of the season. He has now reached base in 25 of his 26 games with OKC this season although his six-game hitting streak came to an end Friday.
- Austin Gauthier – 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (2)
- Michael Chavis – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI, double (9)
Tulsa Drillers 6 – Amarillo Sod Poodles (Arizona) 4
The Tulsa Drillers have lost 11 games this season after holding a lead at some point in the game. On Friday night at Amarillo, they staged a comeback of their own.
The Drillers fell behind in the first inning and trailed for most of the night before breaking a tie game with two runs in the ninth inning. Antonio Knowles protected the lead with a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth as the Drillers topped the Sod Poodles 6-4.
Amarillo jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a run in the first inning against Tulsa starting pitcher Jacob Meador before adding two more in the third.
The Drillers erased the deficit with a three-run fourth inning. Griffin Lockwood-Powell singled and Aaron Bracho doubled to set up a two-run double from Ezequiel Pagan. Taylor Young followed with another double to tie the game.
It remained 3-3 until the seventh inning. Chris Newell broke the tie with two outs in the top of the seventh when he hit his fourth home run of the season to give Tulsa its first lead of the game.
It did not last long as Ivan Melendez led off the bottom of the seventh with his fourth homer to quickly tie the game again.
The game was decided in the top of the ninth. Amarillo reliever Jhosmer Alvarez retired the first two batters of the inning before walking three batters in a row to load the bases. Yeiner Fernandez seized the opportunity, delivering a two-run single to put the Drillers in front 6-4.
Knowles made sure the lead held, getting a ground out and a pair of strikeouts to end the game and record his second save of the season.
It was another game-winning hit for Fernandez. Twice this season, he had provided walk-off, game-winning hits.
The Drillers had 11 hits in the game and every starter but one had at least one hit in the win.
It was a tough night for Meador who struggled to throw strikes. He lasted just 2.1 innings and was charged with three runs on three hits, but he was hampered by a season high five walks.
Kelvin Bautista relieved Meador and worked 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Jeisson Cabrera followed Bautista and was even better, retiring all six batters he faced in two perfect innings.
Lucas Wepf picked up the win to up his record to 2-0. He allowed one hit with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings of work.
Taylor Young stole his tenth base of the season and is now 10-11 on steal attempts.
- Chris Newell – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (4)
- Ezequiel Pagan – 3-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2 doubles (3)
- Taylor Young – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (5)
- Aaron Bracho – 1-4, 1 run, double (4)
Dayton Dragons (Reds) 9 – Great Lakes Loons 4
There are a couple of areas where the Dodger affiliates find themselves towards the top. Hitting and strikeouts and pitching and walks.
This game was different. The Loons scored 4 runs on 7 hits, and struck out 17 times. The pitchers threw 12 walks.
The Loons jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st. Kendall George drew a BB, and Logan Wagner hit a one-out, 2-run HR.
Dayton leadoff man walked to start. With one out, Leo Balcazar lined a ball to right field. With the sun eye level, it gave the Great Lakes defense trouble and scooted to the wall for an RBI triple. John Michael Faile’s 110 mph RBI single tied the game.
In the bottom of the second, the Dragons had five straight reach with two outs—a walk, home run, double, RBI single, and another walk. Dayton led 5-2 after two frames.
The Dragons would add one run in the next three innings. Loons pitchers walked four in that span.
Great Lakes grabbed a tally in the seventh. Zyhir Hope blazed a leadoff single with a 113 mph exit velocity to right field. He was later scored on a double play groundout.
The Loons pulled within five, scoring a run for the third straight game in the ninth inning. Hope singled and Jordan Thompson doubled Hope home.
- Josue De Paula – 2-4, double (8)
- Zyhir Hope – 2-4, 2 runs
- Logan Wagner – 1-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (5)
- Jordan Thompson – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI, double (8)
Visalia Rawhide (Arizona) 6 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5
The Visalia Rawhide overcame a four-run deficit over the final two innings, as the Quakes dropped a heart-breaker on Friday night, 6-5.
A two-run ninth, capped with a walk-off walk, sent Visalia to their second win through the first four games of the series, dropping Rancho’s lead in the South down to six games.
Tied 1-1 in the eighth, Rancho put four on the board against eventual winner Adonys Perez (2-3). Mairo Martinus led off the inning with a double, then scored from second on a ground ball to the right side of the infield off the bat of Victor Rodrigues, making it 2-1.
Mike Sirota’s two-run blast (5) made it 4-1, while Samuel Munoz later adding an RBI single, giving the Quakes a 5-1 lead.
Felix Cabrera (1-3) gave up three straight hits and a total of three runs in the eighth, as Visalia pulled to within a run at 5-4. In the ninth, the Rawhide took advantage of a lead-off walk and then two batters later, Alberto Barriga tied the game with an RBI double off the right-field wall. Marco Corcho was summoned into the game and eventually walked in the game-winning run, as Trent Youngblood walked to force home pinch-hitter Modeifi Marte.
The Quakes will send Aidan Foeller (1-1) to the mound on Saturday at 6:30pm, while the Rawhide will answer with Wilkin Paredes (2-1).
- Kellon Lindsey – 2-5, 1 run, double (5)
- Eduardo Quintero – 2-4, 2 runs, triple (3)
- Jose Meza – 2-3, 1 RBI
- Mike Sirota – 1-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (5)
- Mairo Martinus – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, double (1)
ACL Dodgers 10 – ACL Royals 9
There were a number of MiLB players on rehab assignments in this one. Noah Miller, Jake Gelof, and Joendry Vargas.
- Noah Miller – 2-3, 2 run, 2 RBI, triple (1)
- Chase Harlan – 3-6, 1 run, 4 RBI, 2 doubles (3)
- Ching-Hsien Ko – 2-6, 2 RBI
- Brendan Tunink – 1-5, 1 BB, 1 run, double (2)
- Jake Gelof – 1-4, 2 BB, 3 runs, double (5)
- Emil Morales – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 run, triple (1)
I watched part of last night’s Comets game. Dalton Rushing left the game after being hit in the wrist by a wild pitch by Frasso. No report so far as to the extent of his injury. He had trouble throwing the ball after the incident.
Wow, what a game last night! Most exciting game so far this season.
But I am getting a little worried about our pitching. Starters and relieve look very vulnerable currently.
Sasaki just does not look ready for MLB action. His fastball at mid 90 velo with no movement is just not getting it done. Hitters spit on his splitter and sit on the fastball which gets hit often and hard.
If the Dodgers would not have so many of their big arms on the IL I think a trip to AAA would be in order here.
Vesia and Banda get hit like rented mules lately. Thanks to Garcia who kept the Dodgers in the game in the middle innings.
I know some were against signing both Yates and Scott but where would the Dodgers be without those two high leverage guys ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I doubt the Dodgers will promote to replace Muncy or Conforto. They will stick with these two until the deadline then if necessary figure something else out.
Pitching. It sure hasn’t gone as planned has it.
Last night’s game. Sure was an exciting inning wasn’t it. That is what this team is capable of on any given night. Just keep scoring and hope the other 3 over .500 teams in the Division lose. I think that’s how it might go all year.
Great to wake up this AM and find the Dodgers won a come-from-behind game although when I went to bed they were comfortably winning 8-4.
Sasaki doesn’t look like a MLB starting pitcher right now. More succinctly he is a MLB pitcher, just not a strong performing MLB pitcher. What’s up with Snell? Glasnow?
Once Again he didn’t pitch deep into a game and taxed the BP by his average performance. Disappointing.
Anxious to see CK get back along with Snell and Glasnow. Probably won’t see all three back in the rotation until after the all-star break
Great recaps. Thank you. RC is a fun team and ACL has talent bubbling too. Hopefully our dearth of prospects at AA [besides Ferris] ends soon.
The Dodgers experiment on changing our Japanese pitchers routine this far is a mistake. Especially Sasaki changing his routine was a gamble. When my wife or I screw up we call it tuition. Hopefully the Dodgers learned not to miss with someone’s lifelong routine
What a wild baseball game. 26 hits and 25 runs. What, 8 dingers? Crazy
I’m enjoying the D-Backs broadcast actually. I’m assuming it’s Karros again in the Dodger booth. I just can’t take the guy for 10 straight games. For 2 actually.
Conforto looks like he is swinging underwater.
Outman is an Out-Man. Locate a fastball away and he is an out. Dead pull mode. 8 K’s in 4 games.
If you’re not enjoying watching what Shohei and Aaron Judge are doing at the plate, you are missing out on historical stuff. 2 great players performing at the top of their games.
May and Corbin Burnes could be a nice match up.
Teo and Tommy injury update:
“Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernández will take live BPs early in next week’s homestand. Edman’s ankle is at about 80% right now. Hernández has started swinging in the cage again.”
And the reclamation projects just keep mounting. LAD signed Lou Trivino to MiLB deal. It certainly doesn’t hurt. I doubt that his MiLB signing is blocking anyone at Tulsa from OKC.
Sox claimed Gomez, Dodgers signed Lou Trivino to a minor league deal. He was recently released by the Giants. Brewers signed Bobby Dalbec to a minor league deal. Today’s lineup. Ohtani DH, Betts SS, Freeman 1B, Pages RF, Muncy 3B, Kike 2B, Conforto LF, Kim CF, Barnes C, May P. Only change in D-Backs lineup is Tawa in LF batting 8th instead of Gurriel. Hit a granny, get El bencho.
Huddy got his ring and his jersey from the team for last year’s championship
Comparing yesteryear to today in hitting isn’t really comparing apples to apples. After the 1968 lowering the mound had an effect but probably the biggest effect is expansion. The quality of pitchers on a staff 20 teams compared to the quality of the entire staff of today has to be a factor. To what degree I have no idea.
Bummer.
At least May looked good.