
One Big Inning Undoes Space Cowboys
May 20, 2023 - Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - One high-scoring inning from the Oklahoma City Dodgers (32-11) sunk the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (17-25) in a 7-6 defeat on Friday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
As they did on Thursday night, the Space Cowboys put up a crooked number in the first inning. Bligh Madris walked and Grae Kessinger doubled before a fielding error by Yonny Hernandez opened up the scoring. Rylan Bannon then doubled inside of third to plate two more to make it 3-0. A sacrifice fly by Justin Dirden finished the scoring to put the Space Cowboys up 4-0 going to the bottom of the first.
The Dodgers scored a run in the home half of the first inning, but RHP Forrest Whitley threw a scoreless second and third to limit the Oklahoma City offense.
Sugar Land added on two more in the top of the third when Korey Lee doubled off LHP Robbie Erlin (W, 3-1) and advanced to third on a groundout by Bannon. Pedro León then had a hard-hit ball bobbled at third for an error, allowing Lee to score and give Sugar Land a 5-1 lead. A single by Dirden and a walk to Alex McKenna loaded the bases and a wild pitch brought in León, putting the Space Cowboys in front 6-1.
Whitley returned for the bottom of the fourth but was lifted after back-to-back singles. LHP Nick Allgeyer (L, 0-1) induced a groundout that let a run score and after a walk coaxed a fielder's choice out of Drew Avans that almost ended the inning on a double play. The next six Dodgers' batters reached on four singles, a hit by a pitch and a walk, plating six total runs for OKC to put the Dodgers up 7-6.
Lee singled with two outs in the fourth and stole second, putting the tying run in scoring position for the Space Cowboys, but a strikeout by Erlin ended the threat. The Space Cowboys were held without a base runner until a walk to Dirden in the eighth, who also stole second base but was left stranded. RHP Nick Robertson (S, 6) came in for OKC in the ninth and walked Madris with one out before a pair of flyouts ended the contest.
The Space Cowboys continue their six-game series against the Dodgers on Saturday evening. RHP Misael Tamarez (0-0, 4.26) is slated to start against Dodgers' RHP William Cuevas (2-1, 5.79) for a 7:05 pm first pitch. The game can be heard on ESPN 92.5 FM or online here and seen on MiLB.TV.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 20, 2023
- Isotopes, Rainiers Split Twinbill - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sugar Land Grits Out Extra-Innings Win Over OKC - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Dodgers' Win Streak Ends - Oklahoma City Comets
- Round Rock Walks It Off Against El Paso for 6-5 Win - Round Rock Express
- Rainiers Rally, Split Doubleheader in Albuquerque - Tacoma Rainiers
- Round Rock Edges El Paso 6-5 - El Paso Chihuahuas
- River Cats Homer Again but Aces Prevail - Sacramento River Cats
- Reno Clinches Series Win in 17-3 Smashing of Sacramento - Reno Aces
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - May 20, 2023 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: at ABQ (3:05 PT DH) - Tacoma Rainiers
- One Big Inning Undoes Space Cowboys - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Three Homers Power River Cats Past Aces 7-3 - Sacramento River Cats
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