Dodgers Battle Back for 7-5 Win
Published on June 23, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Papillion, Neb. - The Oklahoma City Dodgers overcame an early three-run deficit and scored three key runs during an eighth inning rally to defeat the Omaha Storm Chasers, 7-5, Saturday night at Werner Park.
Omaha (34-39) scored three runs in the first inning to put the Dodgers in a three-run hole, but the Dodgers steadily came back. The Dodgers (43-27) got back within one at 4-3 in the fifth inning, but left the tying run in scoring position in both the fifth and sixth innings.
The team didn't leave the tying run in scoring position a third time. Travis Taijeron broke through with a two-out RBI single in the seventh to even the score at 4-4.
Each of the first five batters of the eighth inning reached base en route to scoring three runs. Connor Joe walked and a bunt single by Angelo Mora put runners at the corners. Breyvic Valera then gave the Dodgers their first lead of the night with a sharp line drive single to center field to score Joe and put the Dodgers ahead, 5-4.
Kyle Farmer followed with a RBI double, and Alex Verdugo capped off the rally with a RBI single, stretching the lead to 7-4.
After Omaha's early surge, the Dodgers bullpen threw five scoreless innings with only three runners reaching base. But the Storm Chasers rallied in the ninth inning eventually put the tying runs on base.
With runners at the corners and one out, Jorge Bonifacio doubled to right-center field. Donnie Dewees scored, and Billy Burns tried to score all the way from first base as well, but he was thrown out at the plate. After a single by Frank Schwindel to put the tying runs on base, Brian Schlitter got Ryan O'Hearn to hit into a forceout at second base to end the game.
For the second straight day, Omaha jumped out to an early lead by going deep in the first inning. With a runner on and none out, Burns sent a fly ball down the left field line that was initially ruled a foul ball. But after the umpiring crew got together to discuss the play, they changed the ruling to a home run instead, making it 2-0 Storm Chasers.
Two batters later, Schwindel sent a solo homer that just eclipsed the left field fence, pushing the lead to 3-0.
Entering Saturday, Dodgers starting pitcher Daniel Corcino had allowed one home run all season before the Storm Chasers hit two homers within the first four batters he faced.
The Dodgers responded in their next at-bat, courtesy of a two-run single with two outs by Mora to trim the Omaha lead to 3-2.
The Storm Chasers got a run back in the bottom of the second inning. Corey Toups drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a ground rule double by Luis Villegas to put Omaha back in front by two runs.
The Dodgers started the fifth inning with runners at second and third base with none out, but they could only produce one run via a sacrifice fly by Edwin RÃ-os.
One night after the Dodgers lost when leading after six innings, they ended up winning when trailing after six innings for the sixth time this season. It was also their fifth comeback win of the season when trailing by at least three runs.
The Dodgers tallied 14 hits, with five players collecting multi-hit games. Verdugo had a game-high three hits.
Corcino had an off night on the mound and left following the third inning after allowing four runs to tie his season high. The bullpen picked him up, with Logan Odrusek, Pat Venditte and Schlitter each working two innings. Venditte (3-1), an Omaha native, retired six of seven batters faced and earned the win while Schlitter notched his 10th save.
Omaha reliever Luis Vasquez (2-2) took the loss. He allowed four runs and seven hits over two-plus innings.
The Dodgers finish their series in Omaha Sunday, looking to take three of the four games at Werner Park. First pitch is at 2:05 p.m., and 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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