Dodgers Double Down on Express

OKC Dodgers – 7

Round Rock Express – 1

Sunday, August 1, 2021 – Dell Diamond – Round Rock, Texas

Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Dodgers tallied a season-high six doubles as part of 12-hit attack and defeated the Round Rock Express, 7-1, Sunday night at Dell Diamond. The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead on a RBI groundout by Carlos Asuaje in the second inning and led the rest of the game. Three runs and four hits followed in the third inning, including a RBI double by Yoshi Tsutsugo and RBI triple by Asuaje. After a solo homer by Round Rock pulled the Express within 4-1, Cristian Santana added a RBI double in the fifth inning. Matt Davidson and Steven Souza Jr. each knocked RBI doubles in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, to finish the scoring. The Dodgers pitching staff held the Express 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, snuffing out any potential rallies.

Of Note:

-After being held to 18 total hits over the first three games of the series, the Dodgers collected 12 hits Sunday, including seven for extra bases. They set a season high with six doubles and added their eighth triple of the season. Steven Souza Jr. and Yoshi Tsutsugo each hit two doubles.

-Yoshi Tsutsugo reached base four times, with two doubles and two walks. He also scored three runs, marking the highest single-game total of his U.S. career. Tsutsugo now has four doubles over the last three games and has reached base in seven of his last nine plate appearances as well as nine of his last 12 plate appearances. Over his last 17 games, Tsutsugo is 20-for-54 (.370) after going 8-for-67 (.119) in his first 17 games with OKC. He’s reached base safely in 17 of his last 18 games.

-Cristian Santana extended his current hitting streak to seven games, going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI. During the hitting streak, Santana is 13-for-30 (.433) with nine RBI and five multi-hit games.

-Starting pitcher Austin Bibens-Dirkx earned his league-leading eighth win of the season. He allowed one runs and two hits over 5.0 innings, with two walks and two strikeouts. Following a walk to the first batter he faced, Bibens-Dirkx then retired 13 of the next 14 Express hitters. He improved to 4-0 in four starts against Round Rock this season.

-Steven Souza Jr. went 2-for-5 with a RBI and two doubles, marking his first game with two doubles since Aug. 17, 2018 while playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the San Diego Padres. It was also the outfielder’s third multi-hit game in his last six starts.

-Drew Avans collected two hits and stole two bases, moving into a tie for the team lead with 10 steals.

-The Dodgers improved to 21-8 in their last 29 road games and have followed up each of their last eight road defeats with a win in the next game.

-The start of Sunday’s game was delayed by one hour due in order to make the field playable following a heavy rainstorm that passed through in the early evening. It’s the second time in the four games of the series there was a delayed start due to inclement weather.

What’s Next: The Dodgers look to gain the edge in their series against the Express at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Dell Diamond, with starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot scheduled to make his Triple-A debut. 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.