PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Dodgers and Sounds Split Doubleheader

Published on July 21, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Nashville, Tenn. - The Oklahoma City Dodgers and Nashville Sounds traded wins across a doubleheader Saturday night, with the Dodgers winning the opener, 6-1, before being shutout, 4-0, in the second game at First Tennessee Park.

In Game 1, the Dodgers (54-43) put together a five-run rally in the second inning to get some early breathing room. Kyle Garlick opened the scoring with a RBI double. Then with two outs, Jake Peter and Connor Joe hit back-to-back RBI singles to make it 3-0. Edwin RÃ-os stepped up next and sent a two-run homer to right-center field for his fifth home run of the season.

Nashville (48-51) got a run back in the bottom of the inning. Two hits started the inning, putting runners at second and third base, but the Sounds were able to only score one run on a RBI groundout by B.J. Boyd to pull within 5-1.

It remained a 5-1 game until the top of the sixth. Henry Ramos sent a line drive off the right field foul pole, extending to lead back to five runs.

Dodgers starting pitcher Brock Stewart labored through five innings, but held the Sounds to one run and earned the win. Nashville nicked Stewart (2-2) for seven hits, but he kept the Sounds 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Stewart walked one and struck out five while throwing 100 pitches.

Nashville starting pitcher Raul Alcántara took the loss. He allowed six runs on a season-high eight hits, with one walk and two strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Each team finished the game with eight hits, but the big difference came with runners in scoring position. The Dodgers went 3-for-6 while the Sounds were 0-for-9.

In Game 2, the Dodgers had an opportunity to take the lead in the second inning after three straight singles with one out to load the bases. But Rocky Gale struck out, and Peter hit a sharp lineout to center field to end the threat.

Dodgers starting pitcher Zach Neal retired each of the first eight batters he faced, but the Sounds rallied with two outs in the third inning to take their first lead of the series. After J.P. Sportman walked, Brett Vertigan sent a RBI double to deep right field to make it 1-0.

The Sounds added to the lead in the fourth inning. A walk and an infield single put two runners on base. With two out, Bruce Maxwell hit a bounder through the middle to plate both runners and extend the lead to 3-0.

Anthony Garcia finished the scoring in the sixth inning with a solo homer - the first home run allowed by the Dodgers in nine games.

The Dodgers were limited to five hits during the game, as they were shutout for the fifth time this season and for the third time against Nashville. They went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, and the Sounds pitching staff retired the final nine Dodgers batters.

The top four batters in the lineup went a combined 0-for-12, including a 0-for-3 night by Alex Verdugo, snapping his 13-game hitting streak. It was tied for his season long, as well as the longest by a Dodger this season.

Ramos was the only Dodger with multi-hit games in both ends of the doubleheader, going a combined 4-for-6 with two extra-base hits.

Four Nashville relievers covered all seven innings. Dean Kiekhefer (6-0) retired nine of 11 batters faced over three scoreless innings and earned the win.

Neal (2-1) suffered his first loss with OKC this season after giving up three runs and three hits over four innings. He issued three walks and notched six strikeouts.

The Dodgers and Sounds meet for the final time during the 2018 regular season at 6:15 p.m. Sunday. Live radio coverage begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free iHeartRadio mobile app.

Check out the Oklahoma City Comets Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 21, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central