PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

Garlick's Slam Sends Dodgers to 7-5 Win

Published on July 14, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Round Rock, Texas - Kyle Garlick hit a go-ahead grand slam with two outs in the eighth inning, helping the Oklahoma City Dodgers to a 7-5 win over the Round Rock Express Saturday night at Dell Diamond.

The Dodgers (48-40) entered the eighth inning trailing, 4-3. After each of the first two batters struck out, Tim Locastro and Kyle Farmer each singled off Tayler Scott to keep the inning alive.

The Express (44-48) then brought in All-Star closer R.J. Alvarez. Edwin RÃ-os was the first to face Alvarez, and after getting down in the count 1-2, RÃ-os worked a walk to load the bases.

Garlick was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts when he stepped up to the plate in the eighth inning. On the first pitch from Alvarez, Garlick sent a high fly ball to deep left field that ended up in the grass seating for his team-leading 12th home run of the season, and the team's fourth grand slam of 2018. It was also the first home run Alvarez had surrendered all season.

Round Rock got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Tony Sanchez hit a solo homer. Later in the frame, the Express put the tying runs on base with two outs, but Dodgers reliever Brian Schlitter got pinch hitter Carlos Perez to ground out and end the inning.

The Express threatened again in the ninth, putting two runners on with one out. Cliff Pennington followed with a deep flyout to right-center field, and Schlitter ended the game by striking out Sanchez.

The Dodgers trailed by as many as three runs Saturday, although they were the ones who scored first. Farmer led off the second inning with a double, and RÃ-os followed with a RBI single.

With OKC still in front, 1-0, in the bottom of the third inning, Dodgers starting pitcher Manny Bañuelos walked Scott Heineman. As Heineman went up the first base line, he and Bañuelos got into an argument and eventually a into dustup at first base as both benches and bullpens cleared onto the field. After the fracas was dispersed, Bañuelos and Heineman were ejected from the game.

Once play resumed, Willie Calhoun hit a two-run homer to put Round Rock in the lead at 2-1. The Express added two runs in the fourth inning, with RBI singles by Calhoun and Andy Ibanez.

The Dodgers made it a one-run game in the fifth inning. Jake Peter led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Angelo Mora. Two batters later, Connor Joe sent a line drive home run to left field to pull the Dodgers within 4-3.

After Bañuelos' ejection, the OKC bullpen had to shoulder the load over the final 6.2 innings. Corey Copping earned the win in his Triple-A debut, allowing one run and four hits over 2.1 innings, with one strikeout. Schlitter recorded the final five outs to earn his 13th save.

Scott (3-4) picked up the loss while Alvarez was charged with just his second blown save in 20 chances this season.

Saturday's win marked the first time since June 17 the Dodgers won consecutive games. It was also the team's seventh win when trailing after seven innings and clinched a win in the season series against Round Rock for a fourth consecutive year.

The Dodgers face off against the Express for the final time this season at 6:05 p.m. Sunday at Dell Diamond. Live radio 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 July 14, 2018


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