Space Cowboys Launch Three Homers in 12-5 Defeat

Published on April 13, 2023 under Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys News Release

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JJ Matijevic homered twice but the Oklahoma City Dodgers (9-3) topped the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (4-7) by a 12-5 margin on Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Dodgers scored a run off RHP Austin Hansen (L, 0-1) on a pair of bloop hits in the top of the first, but Matijevic responded by catapulting a solo homer to left in the top of the second, his third of the season, leveling the game at 1-1. Two home runs by the Dodgers in the last of the second moved Oklahoma City back in front 4-1 after two innings.

Justin Dirden tripled with one out in the third against Dodgers' LHP Robbie Erlin (W, 1-0) and scored on a ground out by Rylan Bannon, drawing the Space Cowboys within a pair at 4-2. However, the Dodgers would score another run in the bottom of the third and three more in the fourth, opening up an 8-2 lead.

Sugar Land pulled back within striking distance in the top of the sixth thanks to the long ball. Matijevic unloaded on the first pitch he saw from Dodgers' RHP Justin Hageman to begin the frame, a solo blast to left center that made it 8-3. It is the second multi-home run game of the season for Matijevic and the tenth multi-home run game of his career.

Joe Perez singled to right with one out and two hitters later, Ross Adolph launched a two-run homer to right, his first at Triple-A, to bring Sugar Land within a trio of runs at 8-5. Unfortunately for the Space Cowboys, the Dodgers added on one more run in the sixth and three more in the eighth to secure the victory.

The Space Cowboys continue their six-game tilt against the Dodgers on Friday night. RHP Jimmy Endersby (0-2, 5.40) is set to toe the slab for Sugar Land while Oklahoma City is scheduled to counter with RHP William Cuevas (0-1, 12.00) for a 7:05 pm CT first pitch at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The game can be heard on ESPN 92.5 FM in the Sugar Land area or online.

Pacific Coast League Stories from April 13, 2023

• Tatis, Chihuahuas Crush Isotopes 19-6 - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Space Cowboys Launch Three Homers in 12-5 Defeat - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
• Round Rock Walks Off Tacoma For 2-1 Victory - Round Rock Express
• Easton McGee Cruises, Tacoma Toppled in Extras Consecutive Quality Starts for the Rainiers' Righty - Tacoma Rainiers
• Late Runs Push Kitties Past Aces 8-6 - Sacramento River Cats
• Sacramento Breaks Through Late, Defeats Reno 8-6 - Reno Aces
• Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: at Round Rock (5:05 p.m. PT) - Tacoma Rainiers
• OKC Dodgers Game Notes - April 13, 2023 - Oklahoma City Comets
• Reno Rallies In The Eighth As 'Cats Fall 6-5 - Sacramento River Cats
• Kalish Ties Career High Strikeouts in Bees' Victory - Salt Lake Bees
• Five-Run Eighth Inning Secures Reno's 6-5 Comeback Victory Over Sacramento - Reno Aces

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Sugar Land Space Cowboys Stories

• Biggio Delivers Walk-Off as Space Cowboys Storm Back
• Late Push Not Enough as Space Cowboys Fall, 5-3, in Both Games of Doubleheader
• Early Offense and Dominant Pitching Lifts Sugar Land to 5-2 Win
• Alexander Homers But Space Cowboys Drop Both Legs of Doubleheader
• Sugar Land and Round Rock Postponed on Wednesday