DeLuca's Four RBI Lead Dodgers to 6-4 Win

Oklahoma City Dodgers – 6

Sugar Land Space Cowboys – 4

Thursday, May 18, 2023 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla.

Game Summary: Jonny DeLuca finished with a team-high three hits and four RBI in the Oklahoma City Dodgers’ 6-4 win against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark as the Dodgers picked up a ninth consecutive victory. The score was tied, 2-2, after one inning and, 4-4, in the top of the fifth inning before DeLuca lined a two-out two-run double into left field for a 6-4 OKC lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sugar Land (17-24) scored the game’s first runs in their first at-bat, taking a 2-0 lead on a solo homer by Bligh Madris and sacrifice fly by JJ Matijevic. The Dodgers (31-11) knotted the score, 2-2, in the bottom of the first inning when DeLuca hit a two-run single with two outs. OKC took the lead in the second inning when Drew Avans hit into a double play with the bases loaded and a run scored. Steven Duggar’s RBI single in the third inning put OKC in front, 4-2. Sugar Land scored a run on a fielder’s choice and error in the fourth inning and tied the score, 4-4, in the fifth inning when Grae Kessinger grounded into a double play and a run scored. The Dodgers then held Sugar Land scoreless and to one hit over the final four innings of the game.

Of Note:

-The Pacific Coast League-leading Dodgers improved to 31-11 and OKC’s 31 wins through 42 games are the team’s most in the Bricktown era (since 1998)…OKC leads the current series, 3-0, winning the first three games of a series for the fourth time this season.

-The Dodgers have won nine consecutive games for their longest winning streak since April 7-17, 2018 — tied for the second-longest winning streak by an OKC team during the Bricktown era. The Dodgers have also won 10 of the last 11 games and are a season-best 20 games above .500. The last time OKC was 20 games above .500 was Aug. 30, 2022 when the Dodgers had a 72-52 record last season.

-In his third Triple-A game, Jonny DeLuca went 3-for-4 with a double, game-high four RBI and two stolen bases. The outfielder has reached base in each of his first three games since joining OKC from Double-A Tulsa Tuesday and is 4-for-11 with two doubles, five RBI, a walk, two runs scored and two stolen bases…His four RBI Thursday were his most in a game since July 14, 2022 with Tulsa at Springfield when he also had four RBI.

-The Dodgers bullpen allowed one hit and three walks over the final 3.1 innings and has allowed just three runs and 20 hits in 50.0 innings over the last 12 games. The unit has allowed just one run over 33.1 innings going back to the start of the previous series in Round Rock.

-OKC tied its season-high mark with four stolen bases, recording four steals for the second time in the last five games.

What’s Next: The series between the Dodgers and Space Cowboys continues at 7:05 p.m. Friday on OKC 89ers Night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Dodgers players and coaches will wear special retro OKC 89ers jerseys and hats in recognition of the franchise’s pre-Bricktown history and the game atmosphere and entertainment will all have a throwback feel. Friday Night Fireworks, presented by LifeShare of Oklahoma, are scheduled to follow the game.

Single-game tickets for OKC Dodgers games through June are available at okcdodgers.com/tickets. 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. Video broadcasts of all OKC Dodgers home games are now available to be streamed live for free on the Bally Live app.