Dodgers Minor League Report: OKC Blows Late Lead, Tulsa Slugfest Falls Short, Tower Buzzers Shut Out Quakes
The Dodgers’ farm system had a mixed night Tuesday, highlighted by strong offensive performances across several levels but only one victory among the top affiliates. The Oklahoma City Comets saw a six-run lead disappear in a frustrating 9-7 loss to Salt Lake, while the Tulsa Drillers dropped an 11-7 slugfest against Arkansas despite another big night from Josue De Paula. The Ontario Tower Buzzers delivered the organization’s lone win among the featured clubs, shutting out Rancho Cucamonga 3-0 behind dominant pitching. Great Lakes had their game postponed due to the weather.
Several Dodgers prospects continued trending upward offensively. Ryan Ward crushed a three-run homer for OKC, Josue De Paula launched another homer for Tulsa, and Ching-Hsien Ko powered Ontario with a late insurance blast. On the mound, Jholbran Herder continued his recent strong stretch with scoreless relief work for the Buzzers. Despite the losses, there were several encouraging offensive developments throughout the system.
OKC COMETS — LOSS 9-7 (17-17)
The Comets appeared headed for a series-opening win before Salt Lake stormed back late with three runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth to steal a 9-7 victory at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Top Offensive Performers
Ryan Ward: 1-for-2, HR (6), 3 RBI, 3 BB
Ryan Fitzgerald: 1-for-3, HR (3), 2 R, 2 BB
Noah Miller: 1-for-4, R
Zach Ehrhard: 1-for-4, R, BB
Chuckie Robinson: 2 RBI
Enrique Hernández: 1-for-3, 2B
Pitchers (in order)
Logan Allen: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
Paul Gervase: 1.0 IP, 0 ER
Brusdar Graterol: 0.2 IP, 2 ER
Antoine Kelly: 0.1 IP, 0 ER
Wyatt Mills (L, 3-2): 1.1 IP, 3 ER
Keynan Middleton: 0.2 IP, 0 ER
Game Summary
Salt Lake struck first in the opening inning, but Ryan Fitzgerald answered immediately with a leadoff homer in the bottom half. OKC slowly built momentum before erupting for five runs in the fifth inning.
Ryan Ward delivered the biggest swing of the night with a three-run homer to right-center that pushed the Comets ahead 5-1. Later in the inning, Chuckie Robinson drew a bases-loaded walk, and a wild pitch added another run to extend the lead to 7-1.
The Bees chipped away quickly. Denzer Guzman hit a two-run homer in the sixth, while Jeimer Candelario and Niko Kavadas both went deep or drove in runs during a three-run seventh inning. Salt Lake tied the game in the eighth on Chris Taylor’s RBI single before Omar Martinez’s two-run double in the ninth put the Bees ahead for good.
Analysis & Takeaways
The Comets’ offense showed patience and power, drawing 11 walks and blasting two home runs. Ward continues to look locked in at the plate, while Fitzgerald provided another spark at the top of the lineup.
The concern came from the bullpen, which surrendered five late runs after Logan Allen exited. Wyatt Mills had been one of OKC’s most reliable relievers entering the night, but Salt Lake’s veteran-heavy lineup got to him.
TULSA DRILLERS — LOSS 11-7 (18-10)
Tulsa dug itself into a massive early hole and could not complete the comeback in an 11-7 loss to Arkansas.
Top Offensive Performers
Josue De Paula: 1-for-4, HR (4), 2 RBI
Kendall George: 1-for-2, 3 R, 2 BB, 2B
Kyle Nevin: 2-for-4, RBI
Elijah Hainline: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
Frank Rodriguez: 2-for-4, RBI, 3B
Zyhir Hope: 1-for-4, R
Game Summary
Arkansas exploded for seven runs in the third inning and built a 9-0 lead after Jared Sundstrom’s three-run homer capped the rally.
Tulsa finally answered in the fourth and fifth innings. Elijah Hainline delivered a two-run single before Josue De Paula crushed a two-run homer to right field in the fifth to cut the deficit to 9-6.
The Drillers continued battling. Frank Rodriguez tripled in the seventh and later scored, trimming the lead again, but Arkansas added insurance in the eighth to put the game away.
Analysis & Takeaways
Tulsa’s offense showed resilience after the disastrous start. De Paula continues producing impact power, while Kendall George’s speed and on-base ability consistently put pressure on opposing defenses.
The biggest issue was run prevention early. Evan Shaw had a rough night, recorded no outs while allowing five runs, and Tulsa never fully recovered despite scoring seven times.
GREAT LAKES LOONS — OFF DAY
The Great Lakes Loons did not play on Tuesday and remain one of the hottest teams in the Midwest League after their recent offensive surge. Prospects like Mike Sirota, Charles Davalan, and Logan Wagner continue trending upward offensively, while the pitching staff has remained one of the more consistent groups in the league. Sirota was named the Midwest League Player of the week after going 8 for 15 last with 2 doubles, 4 HRs & 7 RBIs. One of his home runs was an inside-the-parker.
ONTARIO TOWER BUZZERS — WIN 3-0 (12-15)
The Tower Buzzers used dominant pitching and timely hitting to blank the Quakes 3-0 on the road.
Top Offensive Performers
Ching-Hsien Ko: 2-for-4, HR (4), RBI
Easton Shelton: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
Emil Morales: 1-for-4, RBI
AJ Soldra: 1-for-3
Mairoshendrick Martinus: 1-for-4, SB
Pitchers (in order)
Jesus Tillero (W, 2-2): 6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 7 K
Jholbran Herder (H, 2): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K
Jecsua Liborius (S, 3): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 K
Game Summary
Ontario broke through in the fourth inning when Easton Shelton ripped an RBI double to left field, scoring Anson Aroz for the game’s first run.
The Buzzers added insurance in the eighth when Ching-Hsien Ko launched a solo homer to right-center field. In the ninth, Emil Morales added a sacrifice fly after Jose D. Hernandez and AJ Soldra reached base.
On the mound, Jesus Tillero dominated across 6.1 shutout innings before turning things over to Herder and Liborius, who combined to finish the shutout.
Analysis & Takeaways
This was one of Ontario’s cleanest games of the season. The pitching staff struck out 12 and never allowed the Quakes to generate consistent pressure.
Ko continues showing intriguing power upside, while Herder’s recent effectiveness out of the bullpen has become increasingly notable.
SYSTEM TAKEAWAYS
Ryan Ward continues raking: The OKC first baseman delivered another big swing with a three-run homer and reached base four times.
Josue De Paula’s power surge is exciting: His fourth homer of the season highlighted another productive offensive night for Tulsa.
Bullpen inconsistency hurt OKC: Late relief struggles erased what looked like a comfortable win.
Ontario’s pitching stood out: The Buzzers combined for a dominant shutout performance with 12 strikeouts.
Great Lakes remains one of the system’s brightest spots: Even without playing Tuesday, the Loons continue trending upward thanks to strong offensive development across the roster.
