PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Express Turns Tables on Dodgers

Published on April 18, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Round Rock, Texas - After being on the winning end of many early-season comebacks, the Oklahoma City Dodgers found themselves on the other side Wednesday afternoon at Dell Diamond, as the Round Rock Express overcame a four-run deficit and won, 9-6, in 10 innings on a walk-off grand slam by Cameron Rupp.

With the loss, the Dodgers' nine-game win streak came to an end. It's just the fifth time since the team joined the PCL in 1998 it had won at least nine straight games. The team is now 1-4 all-time when trying to extend a win streak to 10 games.

The Dodgers led, 4-0, after five innings. The Express cut the deficit in half with a pair of runs in the sixth inning.

Both teams scored a run in the seventh, including a RBI double by Alex Verdugo. He finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, marking his fifth straight game driving in at least one run.

The Dodgers (10-2) still led, 5-3, in the ninth inning when the Express rallied with two outs, getting key hits from the bottom two hitters in the lineup. With a runner at first and the count at 0-2, Andy Ibanez hit a RBI double to right-center field. Christian Lopes followed with a game-tying RBI single on a 1-2 pitch to even the score.

For the fifth time this season, and the third time in the last four games, the Dodgers headed to extra innings. Henry Ramos was the designated runner at second base to start the 10th inning, and after each of the first two batters were retired, Angelo Mora came through with a RBI single down in the count 0-2 to put the Dodgers ahead, 6-5.

Out of other pitchers, the Dodgers turned to 21-year-old Leo Crawford, who was added from High-A Rancho Cucamonga to provide bullpen depth. Following a walk, a pop out and a wild pitch, the Express had runners at second and third with one out. The Dodgers elected to intentionally walk Willie Calhoun in order to face Rupp, who promptly hit a grand slam to left-center field on the first pitch.

The Express (4-10) never led until the final play of the game.

The game was scoreless after two innings. After Round Rock starting pitcher Adrian Sampson retired the first seven Dodgers hitters, Alex Burg was hit by a pitch. Cael Brockmeyer and Tim Locastro each proceeded to collect RBI doubles to open the scoring. Later in the inning, Locastro scored on a throwing error by Round Rock shortstop Nick Noonan, making it a 3-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Verdugo added a two-out RBI single, pushing the lead to 4-0.

The Express was stymied by Dodgers starting pitcher Brock Stewart before breaking through in the bottom of the sixth. Stewart retired the first batter of the inning for his 14th consecutive out. Jose Cardona broke the streak with a single and scored two batters later on a RBI double by Scott Heineman. Later in the inning after Stewart left the game, Heineman stole third base and scored on a wild pitch.

Stewart ultimately had to settle for a no decision despite his solid outing. He allowed two runs and three hits over 5.2 innings, with one walk and three strikeouts.

The Dodgers outhit the Express, 11-8, but went 5-for-19 with runners in scoring position. Brockmeyer led all players with three hits, collecting two doubles with two runs. Verdugo, Locastro and Jake Peter all notched multi-hit games as well.

Round Rock reliever Deolis Guerra (1-0) picked up the win and Crawford (0-1) took the loss in his Triple-A debut.

The Dodgers look to begin a new winning streak when they meet the Express at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Dell Diamond. Live coverage begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free iHeartRadio mobile app.

Game Scores: Stewart 63; Sampson 53.

WP: De Leon, E; Crawford.

IBB: Calhoun, W (by Crawford).

HBP: Burg (by Sampson); Locastro (by Sampson).

Pitches-strikes: Stewart 85-51; De Leon, E 12-9; Garcia, Y 19-13; Hudson 16-9; Broussard 23-15; Crawford 15-3; Sampson 88-55; Gardewine 17-13; Mann 19-10; Leclerc 17-12; Guerra 19-13.

Groundouts-flyouts: Stewart 6-4; De Leon, E 0-0; Garcia, Y 1-0; Hudson 1-1; Broussard 1-1; Crawford 0-0; Sampson 5-7; Gardewine 2-0; Mann 1-1; Leclerc 0-1; Guerra 1-0.

Batters faced: Stewart 21; De Leon, E 1; Garcia, Y 5; Hudson 4; Broussard 6; Crawford 4; Sampson 26; Gardewine 5; Mann 4; Leclerc 5; Guerra 4.

Inherited runners-scored: De Leon, E 1-1.

Umpires: HP: Clayton Hamm. 1B: Javerro January. 3B: Derek Eaton.

Weather: 74 degrees, partly cloudy.

Wind: 4 mph, Varies.

First pitch: 11:35 AM.

T: 3:28.

Att: 11,787.

Venue: Dell Diamond.

April 18, 2018

Compiled by MLB Advanced Media

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