Aviators take series opener in OKC, 6-1

Las Vegas Aviators — 6

OKC Dodgers - 1

Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla.

Game Summary: The Las Vegas Aviators scored five runs via two homers on the way to a 6-1 win against the Oklahoma City Dodgers Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Las Vegas (52-45) took the first lead of the night in the first inning on a RBI single by Francisco Peña. The Dodgers (49-47) tied the game, 1-1, in the third inning when Zach Reks ripped a RBI single into center field. Dodgers starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (1-3) held the Aviators to one hit through five innings before the Aviators tallied four hits in the sixth inning and broke open the game with a three-run homer by Austin Allen. Las Vegas then tacked on another two-run homer in the eighth inning for a 6-1 lead in the series opener between the teams.

Of Note:

-With Thursday’s defeat, the Dodgers have now lost three straight games. Oklahoma City has also lost six of the last seven games, marking the first time since May 8-15 the team has dropped six games during a seven-game span. Prior to the recent stretch, the Dodgers had won four of their last five games during their previous home series, as well as seven of their previous nine games overall.

-Dodgers starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (1-3) had his longest outing with OKC this season and Thursday marked the third time this season he pitched at least six innings. Pepiot allowed one hit through five innings of work — a RBI single in the first inning — before allowing four hits in the sixth inning, including a three-run homer. Pepiot was charged with the loss, allowing four runs on five hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

-OKC was held to one run for a second straight game Thursday night and has scored a combined two runs over the last two games for the team’s lowest run total over a two-game span this season.

-Zach Reks went 1-for-2 with two walks Thursday and tallied OKC’s lone RBI. He has 16 RBI over his last 10 games and at least one RBI in eight of the 10 games. His RBI Thursday gave him the team lead for RBI in August with 16 total. Overall this season, Reks leads OKC with 71 hits, 59 runs, 35 walks and ranks tied for first with 54 RBI.

-Aldrich De Jongh went 2-for-4 with two doubles Thursday night, tallying both of the Dodgers’ extra-base hits in the game. Through his first four games with OKC, he is 4-for-14 with three doubles, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored.

-Cristian Santana drew two walks Thursday, but went 0-for-2 and was held without a hit, snapping his 10-game hitting streak. He went 14-for-41 (.341) during the streak and had also hit safely in 23 consecutive starts entering Thursday.

What’s Next: The OKC Dodgers continue their series against the Las Vegas Aviators at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark as the Dodgers team up with MidFirst Bank to “Pack the Park Pink.” Dodgers players and coaches will wear special pink jerseys and hats that will be auctioned off to benefit Susan G. Komen Oklahoma and a pink fireworks show will follow the game. Tickets are available by visiting 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. All OKC Dodgers games are also available streamed live on MiLB.TV with a subscription.