Dodgers Take Fourth Straight in Round Rock

Oklahoma City Dodgers – 5

Round Rock Express – 1

Saturday, May 14, 2022 – Dell Diamond – Round Rock, Texas

Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Dodgers scored three runs in the top of the first inning and led until the finish, defeating the Round Rock Express, 5-1, Saturday night at Dell Diamond for the team’s fourth straight victory. Four of the first six batters of the game collected hits, including a RBI single by Kevin Pillar and RBI double by Eddy Alvarez, as the Dodgers took an early 3-0 lead. The Express (20-15) got on the board in the bottom of the third inning, but failed to score again in the frame after having runners at second and third with one out. Alvarez extended OKC’s lead in the sixth inning when his bunt single scored Pillar. The Dodgers (22-13) notched their final run of the night in the ninth inning when pinch runner Drew Avans stole two bases and scored on a throwing error. Five Dodgers pitchers held the Express to one run and six hits throughout the game, with no extra-base hits.

Of Note:

-After dropping the series opener, the Dodgers have won four straight games in Round Rock. At 22-13, the Dodgers are also a season-best nine games above .500 and possess the top record in the Pacific Coast League. The team is 7-2 in their last nine games overall and have now won 13 of the last 17 games they’ve played at Dell Diamond.

-Eddy Alvarez had a game-high three hits and reached base in all four of his plate appearances. He collected two doubles, was hit by a pitch and finished with two RBI. Over his last two games, Alvarez has reached base in eight of his nine plate appearances, and in his last three games, Alvarez is 6-for-12 with four extra-base hits, six RBI and three walks.

-Miguel Vargas tallied a third straight multi-hit game, going 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored. He extended his current on-base streak to 17 games, and Vargas has now hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games, going 24-for-59 (.407) with 14 RBI, 12 walks and 21 runs scored. He’s also scored at least one run in 14 of his last 15 games.

-Zach McKinstry extended his current hitting streak to a season-long eight games. McKinstry went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. The PCL’s leader in batting average and on-base percentage is 14-for-32 (.438) during the hitting streak.

-The Dodgers’ bullpen had another strong night, covering the final six innings. Four relievers combined keep the Express scoreless and to three hits while recording six strikeouts. Jon Duplantier earned the win after retiring six of seven batters faced between the fourth and fifth innings. Carson Fulmer recorded his second straight save after notching the final four outs.

-The Dodgers set a season high with three stolen bases. Ryan Noda swiped a bag in the first inning before Drew Avans nabbed two steals in the ninth inning. Avans and Noda are tied for the team lead with five steals apiece this season.

What’s Next: The Dodgers finish their series in Round Rock Sunday beginning at 1:05 p.m. CT. Live radio coverage of each OKC Dodgers game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps. All OKC Dodgers games are also available streamed live on MiLB.TV with a subscription.