De Jong puts up more zeros for Drillers

As a Southern California native, Chase De Jong already has ties to Dodger blue. And as Los Angeles' 17th-ranked prospect, he's continuing a rapid ascent toward playing in his hometown. He knows one fan, in particular, who would have been thrilled to see him playing at Chavez Ravine.

"I remember going to Dodger Stadium with my father and getting Dodger Dogs when I was a kid," De Jong said. "But I've always been a fan of the game in general. Having the opportunity to play in front of family and friends would be an unbelievable blessing. My grandfather [Lou Atkins], who passed away, was a huge Dodgers fan. He'd definitely be smiling down on me if that ends up happening."

Video: Drillers' De Jong picks up a 'K' en route to a victory

There were plenty of smiles on Friday night as the 22-year-old right-hander twirled 6 2/3 scoreless innings to lead Double-A Tulsa to its 11th win in 12 games, a 3-1 triumph over Northwest Arkansas. De Jong allowed two hits and a walk while striking out four, throwing 69 of a season-high 99 pitches for strikes, to win his fourth consecutive decision.

De Jong (6-4) retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced, with the only baserunner coming on an error by second baseman Willie Calhoun in the third. He ran into a little trouble in the fourth when he surrendered a one-out double to Royals No. 12 prospect Ryan O'Hearn and an infield single to Mauricio Ramos. But he retired the last two batters, then set the Naturals down in order in the fifth and sixth innings.

The 2012 second-round pick walked Ramos leading off the seventh but retired the next two Naturals and was lifted in favor of Joe Broussard.

"I threw a lot of strikes tonight," he said. "My pitch count was a little higher than normal because our pitching coordinator, Rick Knapp, was in town. When he's around, they tend to let us go a little longer. But there were still a few at-bats where I should have finished guys sooner. They were getting just enough to foul some pitches off. If I could have located a little better I would have been able to go a full seven or eight. But I was happy with the effort tonight."

So were the Drillers, who got back on track one night after their 10-game winning streak was snapped.

After compiling a 4.68 ERA in his first five starts, De Jong has allowed six runs over his last 41 2/3 innings to get that number down to 2.57, eighth-best in the Texas League. He's also third with 60 strikeouts and a 0.95 WHIP in his first season at Double-A.

"It's definitely challenging in the sense that mistakes get hit much more frequently," he said. "If you leave a fastball over the plate or hang a slider, the guy will put it in play and hit it hard. There's a lot more loud outs but also better defense, which helps, too.

"There's also only eight teams in our league, so you face the same hitters a lot, which I find to be a big challenge. I mean, they have to hit the ball, too, but you have to mix things up or they'll be on you quickly."

Broussard retired all five batters he faced, striking out one. Dodgers No. 30 prospect Caleb Dirks earned his fourth save, despite allowing a run on two hits in the ninth.

Jacob Scavuzzo staked De Jong to a quick lead with a solo homer, his fifth, in the bottom of the first. The Dodgers' 22nd-ranked prospect also doubled. 

Northwest Arkansas' Ashton Goudreau (1-3) was charged with three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.