Tacoma Rallies for 8-3 Win in OKC

Tacoma Rainiers — 8

Oklahoma City Baseball Club — 3

Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla.

Game Summary: The Tacoma Rainiers scored seven runs over two late innings to take the lead and send the Oklahoma City Baseball Club to an 8-3 loss Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. With OKC leading, 2-1, Tacoma (34-32/77-64) scored four runs in the seventh inning, including a two-run double into left field by Jake Slaughter, RBI single by Michael Papierski and a RBI groundout for a 5-2 lead. Oklahoma City (33-33/73-68) added its third run of the night on a RBI single by Drew Avans in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to two runs. Tacoma then scored three more runs in the eighth inning on a RBI single and a two-run single for an 8-3 advantage. Tacoma took the first lead of the game in the third inning on a RBI single by Tyler Locklear. Oklahoma City then went in front, 2-1, on a two-run home run by Dalton Rushing that sailed over the visiting bullpen in right field.

Of Note:

-Tacoma won its first game of the series and cut OKC’s lead to 2-1 in the six-game series after back-to-back wins by OKC to open the series Tuesday and Wednesday.

-After scoring 14 runs through the first two games of the series, Oklahoma City was limited to three runs on eight hits, including two extra-base hits…It was the seventh time in the last nine games OKC scored three runs or less in a game.

-Oklahoma City allowed eight runs for the most runs allowed by the pitching staff since an 8-3 loss to Sugar Land Sept. 4. OKC has now allowed six or more runs in four straight games (27 R) for the first time since a five-game stretch July 31-Aug. 4 in El Paso (33 R).

-Drew Avans went 2-for-5 with a double, RBI and scored a run. He is now two hits away from tying Kelly Dransfeldt (1999-2002) as the Bricktown-era career leader in hits (448) with nine games remaining in the season…Avans has hit safely in four straight games, going 7-for-19.

-Andre Lipcius recorded a second straight multi-hit game and is 4-for-9 with two runs scored over his last two games.

-Dalton Rushing hit his sixth home run of the season, accounting for two of OKC’s three runs…OKC has now homered in back-to-back games following a season-high stretch of four straight games without a homer.

-Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly tossed a scoreless and hitless fourth inning, allowing one walk with one strikeout. He faced four batters and threw 17 pitches (11 strikes)…He opened a Major League Rehab Assignment with OKC Thursday — his second rehab assignment of the season. He was placed on the Los Angeles Dodgers Injured List Aug. 31 with right shoulder inflammation. He was previously on the IL May 6-July 18 with a right posterior shoulder strain and also made three rehab appearances with OKC in July.

Next Up: Oklahoma City and Tacoma continue their series at 7:05 p.m. Friday as ¡Celebración Cielo Azul! presented by OG&E returns to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Friday Night Fireworks presented by Braum’s are scheduled to follow the game. In addition to players and coaches wearing Cielo Azul jerseys and hats, the gameday environment during ¡Celebración Cielo Azul! will include Latin music, colorful and festive concourse decorations, along with unique entertainment and concessions items.

Friday is also Gymnastics/Olympics Night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark featuring a meet and greet with former Olympic athletes, including gold medal gymnast Bart Conner.

Tickets for all remaining 2024 OKC Baseball Club home games are available at okcbaseball.com/tickets. Live radio coverage of each OKC Baseball Club game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps.