Neuse, Bullpen Lead Dodgers Over Isotopes

OKC Dodgers – 6

Albuquerque Isotopes – 4

Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021 – Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park – Albuquerque, N.M.

Game Summary: After dropping back-to-back games by one run, the Oklahoma City Dodgers escaped a few late jams and captured a 6-4 win Saturday night over the Albuquerque Isotopes at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. Sheldon Neuse gave the Dodgers (42-39) an early 1-0 lead after swatting a solo homer in the first inning. Hamlet Marte added a RBI single in the fourth inning to make it 2-0. In the bottom of the fourth with the bases loaded and two outs, LJ Hatch hit a bases-clearing triple to the top of the center field hill to give Albuquerque (37-43) the lead. On the second pitch of the fifth inning, Luke Raley evened the score with a home run. Later in the inning, Yoshi Tsutsugo provided a sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers a 4-3 advantage. Two runs followed in the seventh inning, with a RBI single by Neuse and RBI double by Carlos Asuaje. The Isotopes scored once in the seventh inning and left the tying runs on base in the eighth inning. In the ninth, the Isotopes loaded the bases with two outs before Dodgers reliever James Pazos struck out Joshua Fuentes to end the game.

Of Note:

-With the win, the Dodgers avoided their first three-game losing streak since July 5-8. Including Saturday, they’ve won each of the last four times they’ve played after losing consecutive games. The Dodgers improved to 5-4 on their current road trip and are now 24-10 in their last 34 road games.

-Sheldon Neuse tallied a game-high three hits, going 3-for-5 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored. Neuse has now hit safely in five straight games, going 8-for-20 with five extra-base hits. He’s gone deep three times in the last five games, bringing his season total up to eight with Oklahoma City.

-After starting pitcher Austin Bibens-Dirkx was ejected after the fourth inning ended, the Dodgers bullpen combined to allowed one unearned run and four hits over the final 5.0 innings, recording eight strikeouts. Neftalí Felíz followed Bibens-Dirkx and worked the next 2.2 innings – a season high – and earned the win. Felíz gave up two hits and one unearned run, with no walks and four strikeouts. Ryan Moseley pitched a scoreless eighth inning, ending the inning with a strikeout to strand the tying runs on base. With regular closer Kevin Quackenbush promoted to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the day, James Pazos navigated a turbulent ninth inning to earn the save. After retiring the leadoff batter, three of the next four Isotopes hitters reached base to load the bases with two outs. Pazos regrouped and struck out Joshua Fuentes on three pitches to end the game. The bullpen left eight runners on base over the final four innings, notching a strikeout to end each frame.

-For the seventh time in nine games during the current road trip, the Dodgers allowed three earned runs or fewer. They also registered 10 or more strikeouts for the 11th time in the last 16 games.

-Corey Knebel continued his Major League Rehab Assignment, pitching on back-to-back days for the first time. He entered the game with two outs in the seventh inning and OKC leading, 6-4. After giving up a single on the first pitch he threw, he struck out Taylor Motter – the league leader in home runs – to end the inning. Knebel threw six pitches, including five strikes. Over six outings during the rehab assignment, Knebel has allowed one run and four hits over 5.2 innings, with one walk and 11 strikeouts.

-Hamlet Marte went 1-for-4 with a RBI single and is now 6-for-12 with three extra-base hits and four RBI over his last three games.

-One night after being held without a home run, the Dodgers hit two dingers Saturday. They have now hit 46 home runs over their last 27 games. The pitching staff held the Isotopes without a homer for the second straight night. Prior to Friday, Albuquerque had hit 45 home runs since July 8 – most among all Triple-A teams.

What’s Next: The Dodgers will try and even the current series when they meet the Isotopes at 7:05 p.m. CT Sunday. 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.