Los Angeles, CA

Two things are officially back in Triple-A: Bobby Miller strikeouts and triple-digit readings on radar guns.

The flamethrowing right-hander and No. 21 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline made his long-awaited season debut Saturday night for Triple-A Oklahoma City -- and he was throwing gas.

In 3 1/3 innings of work, Miller fanned two, while allowing one run on one hit. A stat line that does not give you the whole story.

Miller was sidelined for Spring Training and the first month of the season due to shoulder soreness, but the velocity on his fastball Saturday suggested his shoulder was feeling just fine. Miller said he is satisfied with his performance, but still has places he can improve.

“Physically, I felt really good,” Miller said. “I was happy about getting back out here again, I missed having some real season games. Not my best stuff today, but I got out of there with only one run and felt like my pitch count was pretty good.”

If this was not his best stuff, then the baseball world should be on notice for when that comes.

Miller’s only hit and run allowed came in the first inning. After striking out the first batter he faced, the Illinois native plunked the Giants’ No. 20 prospect Heliot Ramos and then let up a single to Matt Beaty, plating a run.

After the Beaty single, Miller settled in, getting Gary Sánchez to strike out looking and then setting down the next seven batters he faced.

According to Statcast, the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect threw eight pitches at or over 100 mph in, the first inning, reaching a max velocity of 101.2 mph.

Bobby Miller brought the heat in his first inning of the year for the @okc_dodgers, throwing eight pitches at 100+ mph.The second-ranked @Dodgers prospect averaged 99.5 mph over his outing, earning seven called strikes + whiffs on his fastball: pic.twitter.com/XRHfUVAjZ4

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 30, 2023

The 2020 first-round pick credits his gas to some mechanical changes he made last season.

“Right before the season started last year was when I started getting that jump [in velocity],” Miller said. “I started focusing on moving better on the mound.”

In addition to his 70-grade fastball working, the 24-year-old's curveball also had crazy movement. Statcast credits Miller with the top five breaking pitches in the game, all with his curve and all between 54 and 61 inches of vertical break. He says this is a pitch that can be a game changer when he throws it for strikes.

“The changeup felt really good,” Miller said. “That was a pitch I struggled with last year, but I think it’s a really important pitch for me to have on. ... The curveball is a big separator for me, I didn’t throw too many of those tonight, I thought I could have thrown a little bit more of those, but I’ll build off that and keep mixing all my pitches.”

The run in the first inning would be the only one that Oklahoma City allowed, propelling them to a 5-1 victory.

The outing is a good starting point for the 6-foot-5 righty, who hopes that he can continue the success he had in 2022.

“Just keep going further in games, not walking guys,” Miller said. “I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job of that in the past few years, keeping all of my pitches there and landing the offspeeds early.”

Last season, Miller split time between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A, posting a 4.25 ERA through 24 games while striking out 145 batters and posting an 11.62 K/9 rate -- that’s impressive in 112 1/3 innings of work and should be fun to watch this season.

Formation Association transforms series of buildings for Phillips Los Angeles

Los Angeles architecture studio Formation Association has turned an assemblage of buildings in West Hollywood into a new home for London-based auction house Phillips.

The West Coast headquarters for Phillips opened in October 2022 and includes three showrooms, a patio and offices created from a set of disparate structures on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Formation Association preserved many of the existing architectural elements of the eclectic collection of buildings, ensuring that each section retained its identity.

"We started with idiosyncratic conditions and buildings layered with history," said studio co-founder John K Chan, who led the project. "We wanted to keep that sensibility. The building is a varied palimpsest, with traces of the past appearing within the new facade."

The entrance to the 3,182-square-foot (296-square-metre) showroom is on an acute street corner, beneath a curved canopy clad in grey stucco.

"This rounded marquee, punctuated by an overhead oculus, evokes the automobile-oriented Streamline Moderne era," said Formation Association.

The textured stucco is contrasted by smooth trowelled plaster that covers adjacent surfaces, intended to add a Southern California identity to the building.

On the east elevation, the team retained the sheet metal siding and an old doorway of a historic facade.

This side of the building also includes a tall, narrow window through which Phillips can move large artworks in and out.

Along the south facade, the architects added recessed windows cut at angles into the thickened perimeter wall, which allow more light into the galleries.

Inside, the three gallery spaces are laid out in sequence. Upon entry is Showroom A, which features a soffit ceiling and wide baseboards to evoke a residential space.

A second oculus punctures the ceiling, exposing wooden beams painted silver as a nod to the work of Californian architect Richard Neutra.

The smallest gallery, Showroom B, is accessed through an open portal, and Showroom C is reached through a similar threshold.

With a ceiling over 15 feet (4.5 metres) tall, this gallery is used for displaying larger artworks and sculptures.

All three spaces feature oak floors that match those found in all of Phillips' international locations.

"With the interplay of light and oak wood floors across the three subsequent showrooms, we were thinking about the cadence of an irregular enfilade," said Chan. "Each of the three galleries has a distinct proportion that we wanted to leverage."

From Showroom C, a couple of steps and a ramp lead up to a small office used for client meetings.

At the back of the building is the covered patio, enclosed by walls made from plywood that was stained grey to match the exterior stucco.

The opening of Phillips Los Angeles follows over a decade of continual growth for the city's arts scene, which has seen galleries like Hauser & Wirth and The Future Perfect set up shop, and an annual edition of the Frieze Art Fair introduced.

Formation Association is led by Chan and partner Grace U Oh. As well as completing a variety of institutional, residential and commercial projects, the studio has contributed several times to a program organised by the Architects for Animals charity that asks LA-based architects to design shelters for the city's homeless cats.

The photography is by Eric Staudenmaier.

Project credits:

Design team: John K Chan, Nick Miuccio, Carlo 'CJ' Guzman, Jay Lee, Colin JacobsStructural engineer: Nous EngineeringMEP engineer: Engineous GroupLighting designer: Fisher Marantz StoneLandscape designer: Ochre

(P2) Oilers at (P3) Kings

Western Conference First Round, Game 6

Edmonton leads best-of-7 series 3-2

10 p.m. ET; TBS, BSSC, SN, TVAS, CBC

LOS ANGELES -- The Edmonton Oilers expect a high level of desperation from the Los Angeles Kings in Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.

With a win, Edmonton will eliminate Los Angeles in the first round for the second consecutive season.

"They're going to be a desperate team, but we need to be able to match it," Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said Saturday. "We have to match their energy level, especially at the start. I thought Game 4 down here (a 5-4 overtime win for Edmonton), they came out and pushed us and got us back on our heels, and we can't let that happen tonight."

Last season, Edmonton trailed 3-2 in the series before winning Game 6 at Crypto.com Arena and Game 7 at Rogers Place. Now, Los Angeles will be looking to do the same.

"Backs are against the wall, so obviously we've got to bring it," Kings captain Anze Kopitar said. "We will be playing with the puck, try to play with the puck, and try to keep them in their zone for as long as we can."

Kings center Blake Lizotte is expected to return after missing the past three games with a lower-body injury.

Oilers forward Mattias Janmark, who sustained a foot injury in Game 1, participated in morning skate. However, neither Janmark or coach Jay Woodcroft would confirm if he would return to the lineup.

[RELATED: Complete Oilers vs. Kings series coverage]

The Oilers have been playing with 11 forwards and seven defensemen since Game 2.

"It's getting better, so it's nice to be out there skating," Janmark said. "I got a couple of shots (off his foot). I'm just trying to get back."

Here are 3 keys to Game 6:

1. All hands on deck

The Kings will have a complete lineup for the first time in the series with the expected return of Lizotte. Los Angeles started the series without forwards Kevin Fiala, who had 72 points (23 goals, 49 assists) in 69 regular-season games, and Gabriel Vilardi, who had 41 points (23 goals, 18 assists) in 63 regular-season games. Vilardi returned in Game 2, and Fiala was back for Game 4. Lizotte had 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) in 81 games during the regular season.

"We can talk about lines, we can talk about (defense) pairs. We're looking for high-end performances from 20 individuals that work together collectively and put their best on the line, and there's no other way to put it," Kings coach Todd McLellan said. "There's no magic. That's what we're looking for. We've worked real hard all year, the past few years, to give ourselves an opportunity to win this type of game, and we're going to take a swing at it, a real good swing at it and see what we have."

2. Road warriors

The Oilers are 8-1-0 in their past nine games away from home dating to the regular season. In the 5-4 overtime win at Crypto.com Arena in Game 4, they battled back from a 3-0 deficit in the first period and fell behind 4-3 in the third before tying it again.

Road teams are 27-17 in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"I don't think it necessarily matters for our group, we try to play the same game whether we're at home or on the road," Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl said. "Tonight is a big one for us, we're looking to bring our best game. We're well aware they're going to bring their best game, so we have to make sure we bring ours."

3. Killer power plays

The Oilers had the best power play in NHL history during the regular season at 32.4 percent and are leading the NHL again in the playoffs at 57.1 percent. Edmonton is 8-for-14 with the man-advantage, and Los Angeles is 5-for-18 (27.8 percent). A key for both teams is to stay out of the penalty box.

"Just try to keep as much 5-on-5 hockey as we can," Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said. "We want to be physical, good defensively. I think 'Korpi' (goalie Joonas Korpisalo) has played really well this series, so take some pressure off him and dominate in their zone. We haven't done that enough, especially for a full game this series."

Oilers projected lineup

Evander Kane -- Connor McDavid -- Leon Draisaitl

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- Nick Bjugstad -- Zach Hyman

Warren Foegele -- Ryan McLeod -- Kailer Yamamoto

Klim Kostin -- Derek Ryan

Darnell Nurse -- Cody Ceci

Mattias Ekholm -- Evan Bouchard

Brett Kulak -- Vincent Desharnais

Philip Broberg

Stuart Skinner

Jack Campbell

Scratched: Devin Shore

Injured: Mattias Janmark (lower body), Ryan Murray (back)

Kings projected lineup

Viktor Arvidsson -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault -- Alex Iafallo

Kevin Fiala -- Quinton Byfield -- Gabriel Vilardi

Carl Grundstrom -- Blake Lizotte -- Rasmus Kupari

Mikey Anderson -- Drew Doughty

Vladislav Gavrikov -- Matt Roy

Sean Durzi -- Sean Walker

Joonas Korpisalo

Pheonix Copley

Scratched: Alexander Edler, Zack MacEwen, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Arthur Kaliyev, Alex Laferriere

Injured: None

Status report

Kane did not participate in Edmonton's morning skate but will play. … The Kings held an optional skate Saturday.

LOS ANGELES -- — New fathers Mookie Betts and Max Muncy powered the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

Betts hit a leadoff homer and Muncy had a go-ahead double in the third inning as Los Angeles won the opener of a six-game homestand after losing consecutive games at Pittsburgh. Betts spent two days on the paternity list last week, and Muncy returned to the lineup Friday.

Dodgers starter Dustin May (3-1) rebounded from a bumpy first inning to give up two runs on three hits over five innings with four walks and four strikeouts. Jason Heyward drove in two runs for Los Angeles, and rookie Miguel Vargas had a two-run homer.

“I would definitely like to get more than five (innings), but at that point and time I wasted a lot of throws, throwing a lot of balls,” said May, who threw a career-high 104 pitches. “It was good to get through five and help the guys out.”

Cardinals right-hander Jack Flaherty, who grew up in the Los Angeles area, allowed a season-high five runs over 4 2/3 innings while throwing 110 pitches — his most since 2019. He permitted seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.

“Jack did a nice job. His pitch count got up there,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “But overall, when you look at what actually happened, there was a lot of soft balls put in play, found holes and cost a couple of runs. But his curveball got a lot of swings and misses today.”

Flaherty (2-3) was staked to an early 2-0 lead as the Cardinals began the game with a walk to Lars Nootbaar and a double by Paul Goldschmidt. Nootbaar scored on a wild pitch before May had even recorded an out.

St. Louis scored its second run of the first inning when Goldschmidt came home on a sacrifice fly from Willson Contreras.

The Dodgers mounted a quick response with Betts’ fourth home run of the season on Flaherty’s fifth pitch. Freddie Freeman followed with a single, Muncy walked with one out and Heyward singled to tie the game.

Los Angeles took the lead for good in the third. Freeman led off with a single and scored on a one-out double by Muncy, who missed the previous three games against the Pirates while on the paternity list. Heyward followed with his own double just inside third base to score Muncy.

The Dodgers loaded the bases in the fifth when Heyward reached on catcher’s interference. James Outman was hit by a pitch to make it 5-2.

“A game like this, when a team like St. Louis is always going to fight to the end, it's nice to add on,” said Heyward, who also made a sliding catch in right field that saved at least one run in the third inning. “It's not easy to get runners in scoring position. So when you get guys up there in that situation, it's nice to cash in a couple of times.”

Vargas added some insurance with a two-run homer in the seventh, his first.

Flaherty is winless in four career starts at Dodger Stadium. The Cardinals are 2-6 on a 10-game West Coast trip that ends Sunday.

“(Goldschmidt) is about to get hot. The swings he is taking right now are really good,” Marmol said. “Nolan (Arenado) is looking a lot better, so that's a plus. ... There are several things pointing (up) but at the end of the day, you're paid to win."

After the Pirates stole 12 bases against the Dodgers in three games this week, the Cardinals had three more steals with Austin Barnes behind the plate.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Cardinals: LF Tyler O’Neill was a late scratch with mid-back tightness.

Dodgers: C Will Smith was activated from the concussion list, while Muncy and RHP Brusdar Graterol came off the paternity list. In corresponding moves, INF Luke Williams and LHP Justin Bruihl were optioned to the minors, and DH J.D. Martinez (back tightness) was placed on the injured list.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: LHP Jordan Montgomery (2-3, 3.81 ERA) takes the mound after a hard-luck loss at San Francisco when he gave up just an unearned run.

Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (4-1, 2.32) has given up one run over his last two starts.

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The Chargers selected TCU wide receiver Derius Davis in the fourth round (No. 125 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein offered the following breakdown of Davis:

TCU found ways to get the ball into Davis' hands in an efficient manner, allowing him to make explosive plays with his speed. While he still carries that value on the pro level, his ability to slip press and cut with quickness could foreshadow a more robust opportunity as an NFL slot receiver. He is capable of running a more complex route tree in the future and should offer immediate competition as a punt returner.

Davis is the second Chargers wide receiver selection in this draft (Quentin Johnston No. 21 overall). In five years with TCU, Davis returned five punts and one kickoff return for touchdowns.

The 22-year-old Davis is listed at 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds. In 14 games for the Horned Frogs last season, he had 42 catches for 531 yards and five touchdowns.

Davis, who ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, was the 2022 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year.

The Chargers selected Clemson offensive lineman Jordan McFadden in the fifth round (No. 156 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein offered the following breakdown of McFadden:

Three-year starter and team captain with experience at both tackle spots. McFadden lacks the height/length to stay at tackle in the NFL, but he has the broad frame and run-blocking acumen to fit as a guard. He's firm and accurate into blocks using good footwork to drive and turn opponents. He lacks ideal mass and will get dumped by twitchy run defenders at times. His protection experience at tackle is a big plus in his favor, but he still needs to fire his hands with better efficiency and from a tighter track. McFadden is a reliable prospect lacking desired measurables but has the chance to become a good backup with eventual starter potential.

The selection of McFadden gives the Chargers extra depth along their offensive line.

The 23-year-old McFadden is listed at 6-foot-2 and 303 pounds. He offers value as a swing tackle since he made 27 starts at left tackle and 12 at right tackle in college, but could also move inside to guard.

McFadden earned First-Team All-ACC honors in 2022 and also won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC's top blocker.

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The Chargers selected Boise State defensive tackle Scott Matlock in the sixth round (No. 200 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein offered the following breakdown of Matlock:

Matlock might fit best as a 4i or five-technique, where he can avoid interior blockers a little more often while activating his motor and athleticism. He's not going to be a consistent block-beater or take on double teams unless he's able to get bigger and stronger, but he does show flashes as a rusher and as a penetrator against the run. He could have late-round value.

The selection of Matlock gives the Chargers more depth along the interior of their defensive line.

The 22-year-old Matlock is listed at 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds. He recorded 19.5 career tackles for loss and 11.5 career sacks at Boise State while adding two passes defensed and a forced fumble.

Matlock was also a two-time Second-Team All-Mountain West honoree at Boise State.

The Chargers selected TCU quarterback Max Duggan in the seventh round (No. 239 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein offered the following breakdown of Duggan:

Scrappy quarterback possessing the attitude, toughness and leadership that teams love. Duggan has proven himself to be capable of overcoming adversity and finding ways to help his team win with his arm or legs. However, he has limited arm strength and frequently forces receivers to break stride on deep balls and crossing routes. Duggan's intangibles give him a chance to become an NFL backup but his limitations as a passer cap his ceiling.

The selection of Duggan gives the Chargers another arm and potential long-term backup option behind Justin Herbert.

The 22-year-old Duggan is listed at 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds. He helped lead TCU to the National Championship Game in 2022 — along with Chargers 2023 draft picks Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis — and was a Second-Team All-American.

Duggan threw for 3,689 yards with 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2022, while also rushing for 432 yards and nine scores.