PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Dodgers and I-Cubs Split

Published on April 5, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Des Moines, Iowa - Starting the season with a doubleheader due to expected inclement weather later in the series, the Oklahoma City Dodgers and Iowa Cubs split their two games Thursday at Principal Park. Both games were tight throughout and eventually settled by one run, with the Dodgers taking the first game, 2-1, and Iowa bouncing back to get a split with a 3-2 win in extra innings in the nightcap.

The Dodgers (1-1) trailed, 1-0, after three innings of Game 1, but they tied things up in the fourth on a RBI single by Rocky Gale.

Max Muncy put OKC in the lead in the fifth inning with a solo home run to right-center field, marking the first home run hit by any player in the Minors in the 2018 season.

Iowa (1-1) threatened to at least tie the game in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, Iowa loaded the bases with one out, but Dodgers reliever Pat Venditte got David Bote to hit into an inning-ending double play.

In the seventh, the I-Cubs put the tying run at second base with one out after a misplayed fly ball in center field by Alex Verdugo resulted in a double by Taylor Davis. Joe Broussard then struck out Chesny Young and got Jacob Hannemann to ground out to seal the win, giving Broussard his first save of the season.

Brian Schlitter (1-0) picked up in the win his team debut, retiring the side in order with two strikeouts in the fifth inning. Starting pitcher Walker Buehler delivered four solid innings, allowing one run and three hits, with one walk and five strikeouts.

Iowa starting pitcher Jen-Ho Tseng (0-1) took the loss.

With tonight's victory in Game 1, manager Bill Haselman earned his 500th career win. Of those 500 victories, 154 are with the Oklahoma City Dodgers over his two-plus seasons with the team.

In Game 2, the I-Cubs scored runs in the first and fourth innings to take a 2-0 advantage, including a solo homer by Bote.

The Dodgers rallied and tied the game in the sixth. Travis Taijeron laced a RBI double, and Breyvic Valera evened the score with a two-out RBI single.

Iowa drew three straight walks with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to put the winning run at third base. The Dodgers turned to reliever Edward Paredes, who struck out pinch hitter Mike Freeman on three pitches to send the game to extra innings.

With the new extra innings rule in place, both teams began the eighth inning with a runner at second base. The Dodgers did not convert in the top of the inning, keeping the game tied.

The I-Cubs did not miss out on their chance to score. After the runner was placed at second base, Mark Zagunis and Efren Navarro each followed with singles to end the game.

Iowa reliever Alberto Baldonado (1-0) earned the win, and Paredes (0-1) took the loss.

Friday's game has been postponed due to expected frigid temperatures at game time. The Dodgers and I-Cubs will next meet Saturday at 7:08 p.m. at Principal Park. Live coverage begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free iHeartRadio mobile app.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 5, 2018


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