Wilmer Font set an Oklahoma City record with 15 strikeouts in Monday’s win over the Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants affiliate). Chuck Smith held the previous Oklahoma City team record with 14 strikeouts during a game on June 23, 1999.
Font signed a Minor League contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. His prolific performance included flirting with a perfect game and no-hitter. Font retired the first 18 batters faced, 12 by way of strike out, and twice struck out the side during the first six innings.
The River Cats’ first baserunner came via a leadoff walk in the seventh inning. Two hits — one RBI single — followed a strikeout, though Font limited the damage and finished the inning by striking out the next two batters faced.
Oklahoma City held leads of 3-0, 5-0, 6-0, and went on for a 6-4 win. They received home runs from Drew Maggi and Trayce Thompson in the first inning. For Thompson, it was his second consecutive game with a home run.
Font’s night came to an end at seven innings of work. He threw 98 pitches, 72 of which were strikes, and allowed just the one run on two hits.
Overall this season, the right-hander is 3-3 with a 4.29 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in eight starts. Font’s 63 strikeouts leads the Pacific Coast League.
