Express Hang On to Win Series Opener

Round Rock Express – 10

Oklahoma City Dodgers – 9

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla.

Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Dodgers hit three home runs, including a solo homer by Miguel Vargas in the ninth inning, but the Round Rock Express held on for a 10-9 win against the Dodgers Tuesday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Round Rock (34-18/78-48) jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run homer by Davis Wendzel. The Dodgers (26-26/76-49) then went in front, 5-3, in the bottom of the first inning, taking the lead on a two-run double by David Dahl and going ahead, 5-3, on a RBI single by Hunter Feduccia. Round Rock trimmed the lead to one run in the second inning before the Dodgers went ahead, 6-4, on a solo home run by Kolten Wong in the third inning. The teams exchanged runs in the fourth inning before the Express scored four runs in the fifth inning for a 9-7 advantage, moving into the lead on a two-run single by Sam Huff. Round Rock extended to a 10-7 lead before solo home runs by Jonny DeLuca and Vargas cut the OKC deficit to one run.

Of Note:

-The top two teams in the Pacific Coast League opened a six-game series Tuesday as the league-leading Round Rock Express finished with their 18th win in the last 19 games, and the Dodgers fell to 4-15 during the same span…OKC has now started each of its last five series with a loss in the series opener…The Dodgers have also lost 12 of the last 15 games, 15 of the of the last 19 games and 16 of the last 21 games overall…OKC’s loss was just the team’s third against the Express this season as the Dodgers are now 10-3 against Round Rock in 2023.

-Kolten Wong went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Through his first three games with OKC he is 7-for-13 with two doubles, a homer and six RBI. The veteran infielder was signed as a minor league free agent by the Dodgers Aug. 9.

-The Dodgers fell to 21-16 in one-run games. Ten of the team’s last 17 losses have been by two runs or less and OKC has now lost each of its last six one-run games.

-Jorbit Vivas recorded three hits, going 3-for-5 with a RBI and run scored. He has hit safely in four straight games and in six of his first seven games since joining the Dodgers Aug. 22 from Double-A Tulsa, going 9-for-29 (.310).

-After being held without a homer in back-to-back games, the Dodgers recorded three homers Tuesday — their most in a game since a five-homer game since Aug. 11 in Tacoma.

-Outfielder Jonny DeLuca continued his Major League Rehab Assignment, going 2-for-4 with a triple, home run and three runs scored…Pitcher Blake Treinen also continued his rehab assignment, allowing three runs, two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning. He was charged with the loss, facing four batters and throwing 19 pitches (10 strikes).

-Ryan Ward picked up a hit and extended his hitting streak to seven games. He is 10-for-31 (.323) during the streak with seven RBI.

-Evan Carter, rated as the eighth overall prospect in baseball and the top prospect for the Texas Rangers by MLB Pipeline, made his Triple-A debut with Round Rock. He played center field and recorded a game-high four hits, going 4-for-6 with a RBI and run scored on his 21st birthday.

What’s Next: The Dodgers and Express continue their series at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Single-game tickets for OKC Dodgers home games 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.