Masterson regains form

Throughout the past few weeks, felt the mid-season lull each time he pitched.

Sunday night instead felt like he hoped.

The 32-year-old veteran delivered nearly six strong innings and struck out a season-high nine in Oklahoma City’s 3-1 win over Nashville for a four-game sweep at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

“I made a few adjustments and was a little better today,” Masterson said. “For me, it’s always a few nice defensive plays helping me out.”

Masterson threw 5 innings and allowed just one run on six hits, three walks and a hit batter. He used his slider and sinker to baffle Nashville hitters. The Sounds went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position.

“Everything in the bullpen, the action was a little later, crisper and I was able, for the most part, to carry that into the game,” Masterson said. Nashville’s

singled in a run in the fourth. But OKC immediately responded.

tripled in two runs in the bottom of the inning. later hit his 16th home run, an opposite-field shot to left field.

Verdugo again shows off arm

Baserunners will reconsider challenging outfielder

at some point. But until then, sit back and enjoy the show.

The 21-year-old star prospect dazzled for the second time this month with an impressive throw from center field in the fourth inning that caught Nashville catcher

at the plate for the final out.

had hit a slow roller up the middle that looked destined to score Lavarnway from second. Verdugo instead calmly threw a perfect strike to catcher

“In my head at that moment I was like, ‘Ah man, another run,’” Masterson said. “I forget that he’s there with that cannon and he all of sudden lets it loose. People don’t expect it to be as consistent, and it’s been really good.”

Verdugo also extended his hitting streak to 16 games with two singles.

Freeman promoted to Los Angeles

Infielder regained his form and now he’s headed back to the big leagues.

The Dodgers recalled Freeman and placed

on the 10-day disabled list with an episode of ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine.

Freeman, 29, played 20 games with OKC and batted .295 with 11 runs. He opened the season in Seattle’s organization. He’s played 37 games in the majors with Arizona and Seattle.

Up next

The Dodgers hit the road Monday for eight games beginning with Memphis.

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. OKC sends to the mound for his 2017 Triple-A debut. Memphis right-hander (5-6) is scheduled to start the game.

OKC returns to The Brick on Tuesday, July 4.

Scott Barlow knows Monday will be different than his previous Triple-A appearance.

Twenty-one months ago, Barlow was Oklahoma City’s spot starter tasked with eating some innings in a September contest. He was roughed up.

When OKC opens a four-game series Monday in Memphis, Barlow, 24, makes his 2017 Triple-A debut an improved pitcher after dominating Double-A batters.

“He’s totally deserved the promotion,” OKC manager Bill Haselman said. “I think he’ll have all of the confidence in the world.”

That confidence comes from Barlow’s devotion to Driveline, a program designed to improve velocity and mechanics with the use of weighted balls. It was made famous by Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer.

It involves throwing with different levels of balls against a wall. Barlow said it goes as high as 4 pounds and then the object is to drop weight throughout the workout.

The Dodgers pushed Barlow to begin the program after the 2015 season. At the time, he was throwing consistently in the upper 80s, which was below his average velocity before his 2012 Tommy John surgery.

Now, he’s throwing anywhere from 91-94 mph, and sometimes harder. He’s also found a better arm slot.

“I don’t think I’d be here without it,” Barlow said. “I think (Tommy John surgery) really messed things up for me. But now it’s a lot more consistent. I’m getting behind the ball a lot better with my fastball and the offspeed is more consistent. I think I was missing the consistency.”

In 14 starts with Tulsa, Barlow posted a 2.02 ERA with 87 strikeouts to just 29 walks. Last season, his ERA was 3.98 and he struck out just 102 batters with 55 walks in 24 appearances, including 23 starts.

It’s that type of improvement that earned him a promotion, this time for what appears likely for more than just one start.