Machado Hits First Homer of Year In 11-2 Space Cowboy Defeat
Despite a two-run shot in the second inning, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (41-22) were unable to get anything else across the plate as they dropped their series opener against the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (37-27) 11-2 at Constellation Field Tuesday night. Oklahoma City got off to a hot start
Despite a two-run shot in the second inning, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (41-22) were unable to get anything else across the plate as they dropped their series opener against the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (37-27) 11-2 at Constellation Field Tuesday night.
Oklahoma City got off to a hot start in the first when Kody Hoese knocked one in on a single to right and Trey Sweeney grounded into a force out to score another. With runners on second and third, Austin Gauthier sent both home on a bouncer that ricocheted off second base and dropped into the outfield to make it 4-0 heading to the bottom of the first.
With one on base in the bottom of the second, Dixon Machado smashed his first home run of the season to left field, cutting the Space Cowboys deficit in half. Machado’s long ball extends Sugar Land’s franchise record for most consecutive games with a homer to 20.
Welcome home, Dixon Machado!
— Sugar Land Space Cowboys (@SLSpaceCowboys) June 12, 2024
20 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A HOME RUN 😲 pic.twitter.com/AlqdTrF808
After LHP Eric Lauer (L, 1-1) recovered to pitch three scoreless innings, but a lead-off single in the fifth from Drew Avans provided some trouble, as Avans advanced to second on a balk and scored on a double from Hoese, extending Oklahoma City’s advantage to 5-2. Lauer’s day would end after five innings pitched, surrendering five earned runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Four more scored in the sixth for Oklahoma City and OKC added two more scored in the ninth to give OKC their 11-2 lead. The Space Cowboys offense was unable to come up with anything against Oklahoma City’s bullpen consisting of RHP Kevin Gowdy (W, 2-2), LHP Nick Ramirez and LHP John Rooney.
Sugar Land looks to bounce back in game two against the Oklahoma City Baseball Club Wednesday night. RHP Ryan Gusto (0-1, 7.19) will take the ball for the Space Cowboys for a 7:05 pm CT first pitch opposite of Oklahoma City’s RHP Ben Casparius (2-1, 3.68). The game can be heard on ESPN 92.5 FM or online here and seen on MiLB.TV, MLB.TV or Bally Live.
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.