Dodgers Over Express for Three In-a-Row

The Oklahoma City Dodgers (25-11) put up four runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Round Rock Express (21-14), 9-to-5.  It was the third victory for the Dodgers over the Express in as many nights. 

The Express carried a one-run lead into the seventh inning when Round Rock relief pitcher Jake Latz (L, 1-2) took the mound.  Latz allowed four runs on three walks and one hit (grand slam) without retiring a batter.  Latz was assigned the loss and a blown save.  OKC added an insurance run in the eighth inning on Ben DeLuzio’s homer. 

OKC opened the scoring in the third inning off Bradley Zimmer’s two-run home run to left field.  Round Rock evened the score in the bottom of the frame on Rafael Ortega’s two-run blast to center field.  The four-bagger was Ortega’s fourth of the season. 

The team exchanged runs in the fourth inning.   The Dodgers notched two runs on two bases loaded walks by starting pitcher Cole Winn.  Grant Anderson replaced Winn and exited in the inning. 

Winn was tagged for four runs on five hits in 3.1 innings.  Anderson tossed 2.2 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing one hit, walking one batter, and striking out three. 

The Express bounced back in the bottom of the fourth, starting with Yoshi Tsutsugo’s sacrifice fly, scoring Justin Foscue.  Dio Arias followed with a two-run blast over the left field wall. 

Arias led the Express with two hits in four trips to the plate, with two RBIs and one run.   Luke Williams led the Dodger with four hits in five at-bats for four RBIs and two runs.