Dirden Homers For First Time In 2023 But Space Cowboys Defeated in 10
Justin Dirden and Dixon Machado both homered but runs in the ninth and tenth by the Oklahoma City Dodgers (8-2) took down the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (3-6) 4-3 on Tuesday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Through the first three frames, the two teams combined for just two hits, with
Justin Dirden and Dixon Machado both homered but runs in the ninth and tenth by the Oklahoma City Dodgers (8-2) took down the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (3-6) 4-3 on Tuesday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Through the first three frames, the two teams combined for just two hits, with RHP Misael Tamarez working around five free passes for the Space Cowboys in his trio of innings. Dirden broke the scoreless tie when he launched a solo home run to right-center field to begin the fourth, his first of the year, to put Sugar Land up 1-0.
In the top of the fifth, Grae Kessinger walked and Machado followed with a line drive homer to left, vaulting the Space Cowboys ahead 3-0.
Oklahoma City scored single runs in the fifth and seventh, both on RBI doubles from Luke Williams, bringing the Dodgers within a run. After allowing the run in the seventh, RHP JP France (BS, 1) stranded the tying run at third in the seventh and worked a 1-2-3 eighth.
In the bottom of the ninth, France came out for a third frame of work and issued a lead-off walk to Devin Mann. France then struck out Drew Avans before Michael Busch poked a ground-rule double down the left-field line, putting the tying run at third. Williams was intentionally walked and France struck out Steven Dugger for the second out in the inning. With Ryan Ward batting, France fell behind 3-0 and threw home a fourth pitch that was ruled a ball to force in the winning run. While protesting the call, catcher Korey Lee was ejected and replaced by Luke Berryhill. France would induce a flyout from Ben DeLuzio to send the game to extras.
JJ Matejevic started the tenth with a ground out to first that pushed the bonus runner, Pedro León, to third base, but RHP Nick Robertson (W, 2-0) got a strikeout and a line out to strand the runner at third for the Space Cowboys. RHP Ty Buttrey (L, 0-1) issued a walk to start the tenth inning before a ground out moved the bonus runner for the Dodgers to third. Mann then flied out to right and León threw home to try and cut down the winning run, but DeLuzio navigated the throw to score for the Dodgers.
Sugar Land continues their six-game series with Oklahoma City on Wednesday morning at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. RHP Forrest Whitley (1-0, 2.25) is set to start the game for the Space Cowboys while RHP Matt Andriese (0-0, 6.23) takes the mound for Oklahoma City for an 11:05 am first pitch. The game can be heard locally on ESPN 92.5 FM and online here.
About the Sugar Land Space Cowboys
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys are the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros and compete in the Pacific Coast League. They began play as the Astros Triple-A affiliate in 2021 and began playing under the Space Cowboys brand in 2022. The Space Cowboys play at Constellation Field, located at the corner of Hwy-6 and US-90 Alternate in Sugar Land, Texas. Follow the team on Twitter (@SLSpaceCowboys), Instagram (@slspacecowboys), Facebook (SLSpaceCowboys) and their official website (slspacecowboys.com). Fans can purchase full-season and partial-season plans, as well as single-game tickets, by visiting slspacecowboys.com/tickets.