PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

OKC Dodgers Game Notes - August 19, 2016

Published on August 19, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Pitching Probables: ALB-RHP Matt Flemer (5-3, 4.37) vs. OKC-RHP Brock Stewart (4-0, 2.76)

Friday, August 19, 2016 | Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark | Oklahoma City, Okla. | 7:05 p.m. CT Radio: KGHM AM-1340 The Game, 1340thegame.com, iHeartRadio - Alex Freedman

Today's Game: The Oklahoma City Dodgers close out their four-game series against the Albuquerque Isotopes at 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The Isotopes lead the series, 2-1. The Dodgers lead the American Northern Division by nine games, with 20 games remaining in the regular season. Tonight is a Devon Energy Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Night as well as a Fireworks Friday.

Last Game: Albuquerque notched a 5-2 win Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The Isotopes took the early lead in the game and never trailed. Albuquerque's first run came in the second inning when Tom Murphy homered out to center field. A RBI single by Micah Johnson in the bottom of the frame tied the game, 1-1. The Isotopes regained the lead in the third on back-to-back two-out RBI hits by Stephen Cardullo and Jordan Patterson to make it 3-1. In the fourth inning, O'Koyea Dickson homered into the Dodgers bullpen in left-center field to cut Albuquerque's lead to 3-2. After Dickson's dinger, the Isotopes pitching staff proceeded to retire the final 18 OKC batters of the game. Back-to-back RBI doubles by Rafael Ynoa and Joey Wong in the sixth inning boosted the Isotopes to a 5-2 edge. Albuquerque starting pitcher Harrison Musgrave (8-6) earned the win, allowing two runs and four hits over 7.0 innings with one walk and three strikeouts. The lefty retired 17 of the last 18 batters he faced, including the final 12 straight. Brian Schlitter earned his fifth save of the season. Dodgers starter Lisalverto Bonilla (2-5) took the loss after allowing five runs and eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts over 6.0 innings.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Brock Stewart (4-0) tries for his 10th overall win of the season as he returns to OKC...He most recently pitched 3.0 innings of relief for the Los Angeles Dodgers Aug. 14 against Pittsburgh. He allowed one run and two hits, issued four walks and struck out two in the Dodgers' 11-3 loss...Stewart last pitched for OKC Aug. 9 during an abbreviated outing in Iowa. He retired nine of the 10 batters he faced over 3.0 innings and combined with three relievers on a one-hit shutout in the team's 6-0 win...In 19 overall starts across three levels of the Dodgers minor league system, Stewart is 9-3 and his teams are 15-4 in his starts. His 0.85 WHIP leads all full-season Minor League players, while his 1.75 ERA ranks second. He's also held his opponents to a .195 batting average and owns a 7.35 strikeout-to-walk ratio...Stewart leads Dodgers farmhands in WHIP and ERA and ranks second in strikeouts (125)...In his first eight starts with OKC, Stewart has 53 strikeouts against five walks over 45.2 IP...Prior to joining the OKC Dodgers, Stewart made 11 starts between High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa, going 5-3 with a 1.07 ERA. At the time of his promotion to OKC in mid-June, Stewart led the Double-A Texas League in ERA (1.12), WHIP (0.83), and strikeouts per nine innings among starting pitchers (9.91). He also ranked second in the TL in both strikeouts (72) and opponent average (.188)...Stewart was selected in the sixth round of the 2014 draft by the Dodgers from Illinois State University...Tonight marks his first career start against Albuquerque.

Against the Isotopes: 2016: 1-2 2015: 2-2 All-time: 100-86 At OKC: 59-35

Win or lose tonight, the Isotopes will win more than one game in a series in Bricktown for the first time since taking three of four April 21-24, 2012. Entering this series, OKC had won 16 of the previous 17 home games against the Isotopes, including a run of 11 straight prior to Tuesday...This marks the Dodgers' lone series of the season against the Isotopes and Albuquerque's first visit to OKC since 2014...The teams split their 2015 series in Albuquerque. OKC outscored the Isotopes, 27-20, but Albuquerque batted .304 in the series...Prior to 2015, the Isotopes served as the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate the previous six seasons. However, no current member of OKC's active roster ever suited up for the Isotopes during the Dodgers' affiliation.

O'Koyea's O'K: O'Koyea Dickson hit his 14th home run of the season Thursday, and has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, going 12-for-38 (.316). He paces the Dodgers with 20 hits, including eight for extra bases, and 15 runs scored through 17 games this month. He also has 12 RBI, a team-high 13 walks, and a .434 on-base percentage (seventh in the PCL) in August...Over his last 21 games, Dickson is batting .360 (27x75) with nine multi-hit games, 11 extra-base hits, 15 RBI, and 21 runs...Since coming off the Disabled List May 22, Dickson is batting .329 (85x258) with 13 homers and 50 RBI (80 games). During that time, he ranks tied for third in the PCL in doubles (24), tied for fourth in extra-base hits (39), ninth in on-base percentage (.405), and eighth in batting average.

Kings of K's: The Dodgers' pitching staff has racked up 42 strikeouts over the last four games and has recorded at least 10 K's 54 times in their 124 games this season...The Dodgers pitching staff leads the PCL with 1,108 strikeouts this season, and their total is 49 ahead of the next closest team (Fresno). They're now just seven strikeouts away from setting a new single-season team record, which was established last year (1,114)...The Dodgers are on pace to record 1,287 strikeouts this season. The PCL record during the modern era is 1,236, set by the Nashville Sounds in 2014...Additionally, the Dodgers pitching staff has only allowed one walk over the past two games and over the last four games, they have 42 strikeouts against four walks. Over the last six games, they have 60 strikeouts against seven walks (8.6 K/BB), including three games with at least 10 strikeouts and no walks. They have allowed the second-fewest walks in the PCL (332) and own a 3.34 K/BB ratio.

The Brown Bomber: After hitting just three homers through his first 48 games, Corey Brown has gone deep 17 times in his last 55 games. Since June 9, he's tied for third in the PCL in home runs. He now has 18 RBI over his last 15 games...Brown's 20 home runs for the season are ninth in the PCL, and this is the third 20-homer campaign of his 10-year pro career (2008, 2012). Along with Rob Segedin's 21 homers, it's the first time OKC has had two players hit at least 20 HR in one season since 2012 (Mike Hessman - 35; Brad Snyder - 20).

#PuigYourFriend: Yasiel Puig went 0-for-4 last night, marking the first time in his nine games with OKC he did not reach base. Puig is still off to an impressive start, batting .441 (15x34) with six multi-hit games, six extra-base hits, five walks, 11 RBI, and six runs scored. He's been even hotter during his last seven games, batting .481 (13x27) with five extra-base hits, eight RBI, and no strikeouts.

Run Rules: The Dodgers have been held to three or fewer runs in three straight games for the first time since April 16. When scoring three or fewer runs this season, the team is 9-28...Including last night, the Dodgers have lost 11 straight games when allowing at least five runs. Of the team's last 23 losses at home, the opponent has scored at least five runs 20 times.

Doing the Splits: The Dodgers are 4-4 in series finales when aiming for a series split (2-2 at home).

UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)

DATE TIME OPPONENT OKC PITCHERS OPP. PITCHER

Saturday, August 20 6 p.m. at New Orleans RHP Logan Bawcom (5-3, 1.85) RHP Jake Esch (1-0, 6.17)

Sunday, August 21 4 p.m. at New Orleans RHP Jeremy Kehrt (4-5, 4.89) RHP Kendry Flores (3-4, 3.84)

Monday, August 22 6 p.m. at New Orleans RHP Jose De Leon (5-1, 3.14) LHP Justin Nicolino (7-5, 3.70) Tuesday, August 23 6 p.m. at New Orleans TBA RHP Asher Wojciechowski (3-5, 5.59)

- Selected in 2013 as a Topps and MiLB Class A All-Star, as well as a Midwest League Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star...with Bowling Green, led the Midwest League with a .326 batting average, 169 hits and 16 triples...also ranked among league leaders in stolen bases (62, 2nd), doubles (35, T-3rd), total bases (242, 3rd), runs (79, T-4th), SLG (.466, 9th) and OPS (.826, 10th).

- Drafted by Tampa Bay in the third round in 2012 from Chipola Junior College (Fla.)...played one season at the University of Tennessee in 2011...drafted by the Marlins in the fourth round of the 2010 draft from Sandy Creek HS (Tyrone, Ga.), but did not sign...son of former NFL linebacker Alvin Toles.

2016 Season Highs H: 5 (6/15 @ ARK) R: 3 (4/28 @ IE) RBI: 3 (2x; 7/4 vs. COL) SO: 2 (10x; 7/5 vs. COL) BB: 2 (2x; 6/22 vs. SPR) SB: 2 (3x; 5/29 vs. MID) #3 Andrew Toles (.308, 2 HR, 7 RBI) OF #3 Andrew Toles (.308, 2 HR, 7 RBI) OF Last Game: 1x4, K This Series: 3x12, HR, R, RBI, 3 K Last Series: 2x5, 2B, 2 R Homestand: 5x17, HR, 2B, 3 R, RBI, 2 K Last HR: 8/17/16 vs. ALB (G. Marquez; Leadoff) Streak: +4 (Hi; 4; 7/2-7/5) 2015 vs. Albuquerque: N/A - Optioned to the OKC Dodgers Aug. 2...fi rst time optioned to the Minors since March 26, 2013 when he was sent to Double-A Chattanooga after his fi rst Spring Training.

- Played in 81 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, batting .260 with 10 doubles, two triples and seven home runs...collected 34 RBI and scored 35 runs.

- Placed on the DL June 3 with a strained left hamstring and sent to High-A Rancho Cucamonga June 13 for a rehab assignment...batted .417 in fi ve games with Rancho Cucamonga with one homer, two RBI and two runs scored...activated off the DL June 21.

- Played in just 79 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015 during an injury plagued season...spent two stints on the DL due to strained hamstrings.

- Selected as a NL All-Star during his fi rst full MLB season in 2014...fi nished the season among NL leaders in batting average (.296, 8th), on-base percentage (.382, 6th), slugging percentage (.480, 11th) and triples (9, T-5th)...led the NL and ranked second in the Majors with 15 outfi eld assists.

- Reached base safely in 40 consecutive games April 25-June 10, 2014 for the sixth-longest streak in Dodgers history...posted a career-high 16-game hitting streak April 30-May 17, batting .409 (27-for-66).

- Entering this season, ranked among the NL's top 15 in batting average (.294, 13th), on-base percentage (.371, 11th) and slugging percentage (.487, 11th) since 2013.

- Finished second in 2013 NL Rookie of the Year voting...selected to Baseball America's All-Rookie Team.

- Signed by the Dodgers as a free agent June 29, 2012...made ML debut June 3, 2013 against San Diego and singled in his fi rst at-bat...hit his fi rst homer in his second career game June 4, 2013 with a three-run shot, then hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning.

Season Highs H: 3 (7x; 8/16 vs. ALB) R: 3 (4/4 @ SD) RBI: 4 (8/12 vs. ELP) SO: 2 (16x; 7/17 @ ARI) BB: 2 (7/5 vs. BAL) SB: 1 (5x; 7/19 @ WSH) #46 Yasiel Puig (.441, 3 HR, 11 RBI) OF #46 Yasiel Puig (.441, 3 HR, 11 RBI) OF Last Game: 0x4 This Series: 5x11, HR, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB Last Series: 6x12, HR, 3B, 4 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB Homestand: 11x23, 2 HR, 3B, 2B, 5 R, 6 RBI, 3 BB Last HR: 8/16/16 vs. ALB (P. McCoy) Streak: -1 (Hi: 6; 8/9-8/17) 2015 vs. Albuquerque: N/A - Picked up a RBI in seven straight games, July 19-25 (12 RBI).

- Selected by LAD for second stint on July 1...went 0-for-8 over six games...DFA'd on July 7 and outrighted to OKC on July 11.

- Signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers to a Major League Contract on June 14...played in 6 games with LAD, going 1-for-10 with a double...designated for assignment on June 24 and outrighted to OKC on June 25.

- Started the season in the Phillies organization playing for Tiple-A Lehigh Valley...had a .205 batting average with two home runs and 19 RBIs in 41 games...went 3-for- 4 with a home run, double, and three RBI at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 7...released by the Phillies on June 10.

- Signed by the Cleveland Indians on Februrary 26, but was released near the end of spring training.

- Spent parts of the last nine seasons in the Majors with San Diego and Texas...has a .250 batting average with 707 hits, 81 home runs, 307 RBIs, and 135 stolen bases in 961 games his ML career...successful on 135 of 166 (81.3 percent) stolen base attempts in the Majors..made ML debut Aug. 29, 2008 with San Diego.

- Son of former Major League outfi elder, Max Venable.

- Originally drafted by the Padres in the seventh round of the 2005 draft out of Princeton University.

Season Highs H: 3 (2x; 8/13 vs. ELP) R: 2 (5x; 8/15 vs. ELP) RBI: 5 (5/7 @ SWB) SO: 3 (5/18 vs. SYR) BB: 2 (3x; 8/15 vs. ELP) SB: 1 (5x; 8/13 vs. ELP) #41 Will Venable (.295, 3 HR, 19 RBI) OF #41 Will Venable (.295, 3 HR, 19 RBI) OF Last Game: 1x3, R, K This Series: 1x5, R, BB, 2 K Last Series: 4x5, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB, SB Homestand: 5x10, HR, 4 R, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 2 K, SB Last HR: 8/15/16 vs. ELP (C. Pimentel) Streak: +1 (Hi: 8; 7/18-7/25) 2015 vs. Albuquerque: N/A - Set a new career high with four hits on June 30 at Nashville...went 4-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored.

- Hit solo home run in the bottom of the 8th inning vs. Las Vegas on May 14...only run in OKC's 1-0 victory.

- Acquired in a Sept. 13, 2015 trade with Toronto for IF Darwin Barney.

- Spent the 2015 entire season with Double-A New Hampshire in the Blue Jays organization...played in 85 games, hitting .220 and threw out 33 percent of basestealers (30/90)...selected as a 2015 Mid-Season Eastern League All-Star.

- Notched fi rst career multi-homer game April 14 vs. Reading...second homer of the game was a walk-off, two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning.

- Owns a career .228 batting average with 33 home runs and 185 RBI in seven minor league seasons, all with the Blue Jays organization...reached as far as Triple-A with Buffalo in 2013 and 2014.

- Originally selected by Toronto in the 31st round of the 2009 draft from Princeton University.

2016 Season Highs H: 4 (6/30 @ NAS) R: 2 (2x; 8/4 vs. RR) RBI: 3 (8/14 vs. ELP) SO: 3 (2x; 8/6 vs. RR) BB: 2 (6x; 8/6 vs. RR) SB: #50 Jack Murphy (.255, 2 HR, 22 RBI) C #50 Jack Murphy (.255, 2 HR, 22 RBI) C Last Game: 0x3, 2 K This Series: 0x6, 3 K Last Series: 3x5, 3 RBI

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 19, 2016


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