Dodgers Can't Get Untracked Against Express

Round Rock Express – 3

OKC Dodgers – 1

Thursday, July 28, 2021 – Dell Diamond – Round Rock, Texas

Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Dodgers pitched well and racked up 15 strikeouts, but the offense was held to a season-low two hits during a 3-1 defeat Thursday night at Dell Diamond. The Dodgers (37-36) took a 1-0 lead on a home run by Carlos Asuaje in the second inning in what would be the team’s lone run of the night. Dodgers starting pitcher Aaron Wilkerson faced the minimum through three innings before running into trouble in the fourth inning. Delino DeShields led off the inning with a home run, and the Express (36-37) proceeded to load the bases with none out. Wilkerson managed to limit the Express to one run thereafter, but it was enough to give Round Rock a 2-1 lead. The OKC pitching staff kept the deficit at one until Yohel Pozo connected on a solo homer in the eighth inning. The Dodgers put the tying run at the plate with one out in the ninth inning, but Jake Lemoine retired the next two batters to end the game.

Of Note:

-With Thursday’s defeat, the Dodgers have now dropped four of their last five games as well as seven of the last 10. Even with the loss, the team is 19-7 over its last 26 road games.

-Carlos Asuaje started the scoring with a solo homer in the second inning into the Oklahoma City bullpen in right-center field. It was Asuaje’s second home run of the season, but first since May 8, also at Dell Diamond. OKC has now homered in 13 of the last 14 games, as well as 17 of the last 19 games.

-Starting pitcher Aaron Wilkerson set a season high with nine strikeouts over five innings. He retired eight of nine batters and faced the minimum through three innings before Round Rock scored twice and sent seven batters to the plate in the fourth inning, taking the lead. Wilkerson (6-4) allowed two runs, three hits and three walks. He was charged with his first loss since May 20 – a span of 12 total outings and 11 starts.

-Dodgers pitchers recorded 15 strikeouts Tuesday to tie their season high, reaching that total for the second time in three games and third time in seven games. It also marked the seventh time in the last eight games and 10th time in the last 12 games they have struck out 10 or more batters in a game.

-Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Corey Knebel made the second appearance of his Major League Rehab Assignment, pitching a scoreless sixth inning. Knebel retired three of the four batters he faced, allowing one single and notching two strikeouts. He threw 19 pitches, including 13 strikes.

-The Dodgers produced a season-low two hits and none over the final five innings. Following a two-out single by Sheldon Neuse in the fourth inning, the Round Rock pitching staff retired 14 of the next 15 batters and 16 of the final 18 OKC hitters. The only two baserunners during that time were the result of a walk and an error. The Dodgers did not have an at-bat with a runner in scoring position throughout the entire game and went 0-for-6 with runners on base.

-In his first game back with OKC following his most recent option by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sheldon Neuse picked up one of the team’s two hits to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. He’s batting .333 with 14 hits during the streak and is now 11-for-27 (.407) against Round Rock this season.

-The start of Thursday’s game was delayed by 30 minutes as a precaution due to rain in close proximity to Dell Diamond, but it never rained at the ballpark.

What’s Next: The Dodgers look to restart the offense when they meet the Express 7:05 p.m. Friday at Dell Diamond. 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.