PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Dodgers Run Into Two-Out Trouble

Published on May 3, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Memphis, Tenn. - The Oklahoma City Dodgers offense continued to impress with a seven-run, 11-hit effort, but the pitching staff surrendered a season-high 16 hits to go along with six two-out runs, as the Dodgers suffered an 8-7 defeat against the Memphis Redbirds Wednesday night at AutoZone Park.

The teams combined for 15 runs, 27 hits, 10 walks, 23 strikeouts and four errors in a contest that lasted 3 hours, 19 minutes. The lead changed hands three times in early innings before Memphis took the lead for good in the fifth inning.

Tuesday marked just the second time this season the Dodgers (18-6) lost consecutive games, as they were passed by the Redbirds (19-8) for the top win total in the PCL. Going back to their last road series in New Orleans, the Dodgers have now dropped four of their last five games away from OKC.

Both teams were at their best with two outs, as 11 of the 15 runs scored with two down throughout the night. Ten of Memphis' 16 hits occurred with two outs, but only four of the Dodgers' 11 happened with two outs.

On sign of what was to come, Memphis opened the scoring in the second inning, via a two-out RBI single by Wilfredo Tovar.

The Dodgers responded with some two-out offense of their own in the third. With two runners on, Henry Ramos sent a triple to right-center field, putting the Dodgers ahead, 2-1. Travis Taijeron followed with a RBI single to give the Dodgers a two-run lead.

The Redbirds started the bottom of the fourth inning with four straight batters reaching base, including RBI singles by Carson Kelly and Randy Arozarena that tied the game.

Angelo Mora put OKC back in front in the fifth with a RBI single, making it 5-4 Dodgers.

In the bottom of the fifth, Memphis pulled off its first of three straight innings in which they scored after having none on and two out. They tallied four straight hits, with RBI singles provided by Kelly and Patrick Wisdom to give the Redbirds a 6-5 lead.

It was more of the same in the sixth. Again after having none on and two out, Memphis delivered three straight hits to score twice more and put the Dodgers down, 7-4.

OKC got back within one in the seventh. Rocky Gale and pinch hitter Wes Darvill hit back-to-back RBI singles with two out to make it 7-6. After the runners advanced to second and third on a throw home on Darvill's single, Jake Peter struck out, keeping the Redbirds ahead by one.

An error with two outs in the bottom of the seventh opened the door for Memphis to score another run, stretching the lead to 8-6.

The Dodgers fought in the ninth inning before succumbing by one run. With one out, Gale lined a triple to right-center field and pinch hitter Cael Brockmeyer followed with a RBI double, putting the tying run in scoring position. Memphis reliever John Brebbia then got Peter to pop out and struck out Donovan Solano to end the game.

The Dodgers totaled 10 or more hits for the fifth straight game. Taijeron led the way with three knocks, while Gale and Solano added two each. Henry Ramos walked three times in addition to his triple and scored three runs. The Dodgers went 6-for-21 with runners in scoring position and left a season-high 13 runners on base.

Fourteen of Memphis' 16 hits were singles. Six Redbirds finished with two or more hits, with Tyler O'Neill chipping in with a team-high three. The Redbirds went 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position, including 5-for-10 with two outs.

Memphis reliever Sean Gilmartin (1-1) earned the win after allowing one unearned run and one hit over 2.1 innings. The lefty walked one and struck out three. Brebbia pitched the final two innings to earn his second save, notching three strikeouts.

Dodgers reliever Brian Moran (1-1) took the loss. All four runs and seven hits across the fifth and sixth inning under his watch came after the Redbirds has none on and two out.

The Dodgers will look to avoid a third straight loss and aim for a series split against the Redbirds at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at AutoZone 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 May 3, 2018


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