The Dodgers’ and Mariners’ Single-A affiliates delivered a historic barnburner on Wednesday night, the kind we haven’t seen in at least two decades.
Ontario (LAD) defeated Inland Empire (SEA) 22-21 -- yes, you read that correctly -- in a nine-inning game that took three hours and 57 minutes to complete. The 43 combined runs at ONT Field were the most in any level since 2021 and the most in a full-season level since 2011. Both teams additionally posted half innings with 11 runs, the first time that has happened in a Minor League game since at least 2005.
Ontario posted its 11-spot right out of the gates in the home half of the first inning. The Tower Buzzers plated six runs before even recording an out. The damage looked as though it could be limited there, as Inland Empire then worked consecutive strikeouts.
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No such luck, as a walk and hit-by-pitch preceded a bases-loaded triple from Ching-Hsien Ko (LAD No. 14). Ko homered earlier in the frame and actually scored on an error on the same play as his triple, corralling five RBIs in just one inning. Ontario reached via walk and an error before a flyout finally ended the frame.
This was shaping up to be a runaway for the Tower Buzzers, tacking on five more before the start of the fourth inning to open a 16-0 lead. Then Inland Empire scored 14 unanswered, including its own 11-run frame in the top of the seventh.
The 66ers put together their big inning on the back of four singles, one double, one hit-by-pitch and seven(!) walks.
The thrills were hardly over by that point, as Ontario again pulled away with a sixth-run eighth. But Inland Empire turned around with a seven-run top of the ninth, and a runner was on second base when the final out came via swinging strikeout.
Of course, there had to be some drama, too. Umpires spent time discussing whether there was an uncaught third strike that may have kept the inning going, but they eventually decided against it.
In total, the game saw 43 runs on 33 hits and six errors. The pitching staffs issued 20 total walks and four hit-by-pitches. Ontario smacked four homers to Inland Empire’s one, while each team hit three doubles.
The 66ers were also the road team the last time a full-season game saw such an offensive explosion. Inland Empire and Bakersfield combined for 43 runs on 49 runs on April 16, 2011.
Ontario is turning back the clock for an ‘80s-themed night on Thursday. Perhaps some fans in attendance will hope they’ll also rewind to Wednesday’s showing, aiming for a chance to see more historic offense.