Tony Mota Makes Impression at Triple A

Outfielder Tony Mota, the youngest of Dodger coach Manny Mota’s eight children, is showing signs that he could follow his father to the major leagues.

Mota is batting .277 in his first season with triple-A Albuquerque. He had a 12-game hitting streak that ended last Sunday. During the 12 games, he batted .474 with 18 hits in 38 at-bats and extended the streak three times in pinch-hitting appearances. Manny Mota set a major league record for pinch hits in a career.

Mota was sidelined for more than a month earlier this season with an ankle injury. He ran into a cement retaining wall trying to catch a foul ball. He came off the disabled list June 7.

Last season with double-A San Antonio, Mota batted .325 with 15 home runs, 75 runs batted in and 31 doubles, earning him a spot on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.

San Antonio pitcher Max Regalado, promoted to double A from Vero Beach on June 29, is making a smooth transition from starter to closer. Regalado had four saves in his first nine games with the Missions. Regalado has a 1-0 record and 2.08 earned-run average since moving up.

Jorge Piedra, back with Vero Beach after he was limited to 15 games last year because of injuries, is having a good season. He went five for six with six RBIs in a recent game and batted .372 during one recent 10-game stretch. He is batting .293 with 51 RBIs.