Tepesch Takes Over New Orleans
June 17, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release
Metairie, La. - Starting pitcher Nick Tepesch allowed one run over eight innings and went 2-for-4 with a RBI, leading the Dodgers to a 6-2 win against the New Orleans Zephyrs Friday night at Zephyr Field.
Tepesch (7-2) improved to 3-0 in his first three starts with Oklahoma City and pulled into a tie for the PCL lead with his seventh overall win this season. Over eight innings, Tepesch allowed one run and three hits, with no walks and a season-high eight strikeouts, which was his highest strikeout total since also recording eight strikeouts against the Houston Astros while pitching for the Texas Rangers on May 14, 2014.
After missing all of last season with injuries, Friday's outing marked Tepesch's longest performance since April 26, 2014, when he pitched a complete game shutout against the Memphis Redbirds for the Round Rock Express. He threw 112 pitches, including 80 strikes. Overall, Tepesch retired 23 of the 27 batters he faced Friday night. He got off to a flying start, retiring 12 of the first 13 batters, and finished strong as well, retiring the final 10 batters he faced.
With Tepesch dealing on the mound, the Dodgers tied their season high with 14 hits. O'Koyea Dickson finished with a game high four hits, going 4-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Each player in the lineup collected at least one hit, and Micah Johnson and Tepesch also finished with multi-hit games.
Despite all the offense, the Dodgers (35-31) couldn't capitalize on an early scoring chance. OKC loaded the bases with one out in the first inning, following a single by Johnson and walks to Austin Barnes and Rob Segedin. Zephyrs pitcher Jose Urena worked his way out of the jam by striking out Corey Brown and getting Dickson to fly out on a 3-2 pitch.
The Dodgers did go in front in the third inning. With a runner on base, Segedin smacked his team-leading 11th home run of the season out to left field, and his two-run shot gave OKC a 2-0 edge.
The Zephyrs (32-34) were able to get on the board in the fifth. Following a double play, the bases were empty with two out. Isaac Galloway then doubled, and Kenny Wilson delivered a RBI single to cut the Dodgers' lead to one. After Wilson stole second base, Tepesch struck out pinch hitter Zach Lutz to keep the Dodgers in front.
The Dodgers pushed to lead to 5-1 in the sixth. With the bases loaded and none out, New Orleans shortstop Robert Andino committed a fielding error on a grounder hit by Tepesch, allowing two runs to score. Charlie Culberson added a RBI single later in the inning to finish the rally.
Barnes finished the scoring for OKC when he homered to lead off the ninth inning, marking his second straight game with a home run.
New Orleans struck quickly for a run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Andino doubled off the left field wall, and Austin Nola followed with a RBI single. Dodgers reliever Logan Bawcom then retired the next three batters to wrap up the win.
Tepesch and Bawcom combined to strike out nine batters without allowing a walk. Over the last three games, the Dodgers pitching staff has notched 28 strikeouts against just one walk. OKC pitchers have not issued a walk in 29 consecutive innings.
Urena (1-2) allowed two runs and six hits over five innings, taking the loss. He struck out four and walked three. Whereas Tepesch completed eight innings with 112 pitches, Urena needed 91 pitches to get through five innings.
Going back to last season, the Dodgers have now won seven straight games at Zephyr Field. The Dodgers seek their fifth win in their last six games overall when they meet the Zephyrs at 6 p.m. Saturday night.
Live coverage begins 15 minutes before the scheduled first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free iHeartRadio mobile app.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 17, 2016
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