Dodgers' Late Rally Falls Just Short in Triple-A Championship Game

Norfolk Tides – 7

Oklahoma City Dodgers – 6

Triple-A National Championship Game

Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 – Las Vegas Ballpark – Las Vegas, Nev.

Game Summary: Michael Busch and Miguel Vargas both homered as the Oklahoma City Dodgers put together a four-run rally with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday night, but the Norfolk Tides held on to defeat the Dodgers, 7-6, in the Triple-A National Championship Game at Las Vegas Ballpark. The International League Champion Tides (3-1/90-59) grabbed the game’s first lead in the third inning when Coby Mayo was caught stealing second base and a run scored from second base for a 1-0 Norfolk advantage. The Pacific Coast League Champion Dodgers (2-1/90-58) fought back to take the lead. Hunter Feduccia hit a solo home run in the fifth inning out to right field to tie the score, 1-1. Then in the sixth inning, the Dodgers went in front, 2-1. Miguel Vargas doubled and later scored on a RBI single by Jonny DeLuca for a 2-1 OKC advantage. The Tides went on to load the bases in the seventh inning before Colton Cowser hit a grand slam out to center field for a 5-2 lead. A two-run homer by Connor Norby in the ninth inning extended the Tides to a 7-2 lead. The Dodgers then rallied with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Drew Avans connected on a RBI single. Busch followed with a two-run homer out to right field before Vargas connected on a solo homer out to left field to cut the deficit to one run.

Of Note:

-The Pacific Coast League Champion Oklahoma City Dodgers made their first appearance in a Triple-A National Championship Game and first in postseason interleague competition during the franchise’s Bricktown era (since 1998) and Pacific Coast League history (1963-68; 1998-2023)…The Dodgers advanced to the game by sweeping the best-of-three Pacific Coast League Championship Series, 2-0, earlier this week to win Oklahoma City’s first league title since 1996 and fifth league title in the franchise’s history after the team also won PCL titles in 1963 and 1965 and American Association titles in 1992 and 1996 as the Oklahoma City 89ers…The Dodgers finished the 2023 regular season with 90-58 record overall and with the most wins for an Oklahoma City team in a single season during the Bricktown era (since 1998). Their 90 wins are the second-most wins in OKC’s Triple-A history (since 1962) behind only the 1965 Oklahoma City 89ers, who finished 91-54, and tied for the most in the Minors this season with Saturday’s opponent Norfolk.

-Michael Busch went 2-for-4 with a double, home run and two RBI, closing the Triple-A season on a 12-game hitting streak between the regular season and postseason. During the streak, Busch went 17-for-45 (.378) with nine extra-base hits, 13 RBI and 11 runs scored. He homered in five of his last seven games. He also led the Dodgers with five RBI in the postseason.

-Miguel Vargas went 2-for-5 with a double, home run and scored two runs Saturday.

-Hunter Feduccia hit his second home run of the playoffs and his fourth home run in the last eight games going back to the regular season. Feduccia went 2-for-4 Saturday.

-Drew Avans hit a RBI single, drew a walk and scored a run as he finished with a team-leading seven hits in the postseason, going 7-for-11.

-Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yency Almonte opened the game as part of a Major League Rehab Assignment. He pitched one scoreless inning, allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts. He faced five batters and threw 25 pitches (13 strikes). Almonte suffered a right knee sprain and was placed on the LAD Injured List Aug. 12.

-The Norfolk Tides’ win gave the IL back-to-back Triple-A National Championships, but the PCL owns a 9-7 record against the IL in Triple-A title games since 2006.

What’s Next: The Dodgers’ 2023 season wrapped up Saturday night and the Dodgers’ 2024 schedule opens March 29 on the road in Tacoma.