Express Drop Game, Series to Dodgers

The Oklahoma City Dodgers took the final game of their series to the Round Rock Express by a score of 7-3, taking the series 4 games to 2. 

Dodger pitcher Andre Jackson (1-0) earned the win in his first Triple-A game.  Jackson allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in 5 innings of work, while striking out 3 and walking 2 batters. 

Express starting pitcher Wes Benjamin suffered the loss, allowing 7 runs on 10 hits in 5 innings.  Benjamin struck out 4 and walked 3 batters.  In stark comparison, Express relief pitcher Collin Wiles looked stellar in 4 innings, allowing no runs, hits, or walks, while striking out 5 batters. 

OKC got on the board in the second inning.  First baseman Matt Davidson drew a walk and advanced to third base on Cristian Santana’s double.  Both runners scored on Carlos Asuaje’s line drive single to right field.  Asuaje later stole third base and scored on Hamlet Marte’s single to center field. 

John Hicks responded for the Express with a solo home run in the bottom of the frame. 

The Dodgers added 3 runs in the next two frames, starting with a solo shot over the centerfield wall by Yoshi Tsutsugo.  Tsutsugo accounted for 2 additions runs with a clutch single in the fourth inning, driving home Hamlet Marte (walk) and Sheldon Neuse (double). 

The Express mounted a muted response in the bottom of the fourth inning, with a lead-off double by Nick Solak.  Solak later scored on John Hicks’ single to left field. 

The teams traded runs in the next two frames.  OKC’s Omar Estevez scoring on Drew Avans double in the fifth inning, and Leody Taveras’ fielder’s choice to score Yohel Pozo who reached based on a triple.