Oklahoma City Claims Series Opener Over Round Rock 7-1

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Oklahoma City Dodgers (42-25) defeated the Round Rock Express (35-32) by a final score of 7-1 on Tuesday evening at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

RHP Ryan Pepiot (6-0, 1.74) took home the win for Oklahoma City after 6.0 innings and one earned run on three hits. He issued three walks and collected 10 strikeouts. Round Rock starter RHP Glenn Otto (0-1, 2.79) earned the loss after a 2.2-inning performance that saw four runs and three earned runs on six hits. He struck out three and walked two.

Along the Train Tracks:

• A one out solo home run for 3B Miguel Vargas got the scoring started in the first inning for Oklahoma City. With two outs, back-to-back doubles for LF Michael Busch and RF Jason Martin extended the lead to 2-0.

• In the second frame, Oklahoma City tacked on two more runs. 1B Ryan Noda reached base on a leadoff single. With two outs, CF Drew Avans walked and Vargas singled to increase the lead to 3-0. A throwing error on a pickoff move from RHP Glenn Otto allowed another run to score and Oklahoma City led 4-0.

• CF Bubba Thompson put Round Rock on the board in the third inning. Thompson’s solo home run cut the Dodgers lead to 4-1. It was just the fourth home run allowed by Pepiot this year.

• In the fourth inning, C Tony Wolters reached base on a leadoff walk. Vargas walked with one out and DH Jake Lamb pounded a double to score Wolters and Oklahoma City held a 5-1 advantage.

• The Dodgers used the long ball to take a 7-1 lead in the seventh frame. After a leadoff double for Avans, Busch came to the plate with two outs and belted a two-run home run. The Busch dinger provided plenty of insurance and the Oklahoma City bullpen closed out the night for a 7-1 victory.

  E-Train Excerpts:

• CF Bubba Thompson blasted his seventh home run of the season in the third inning. He finished Tuesday’s series opener 2-for-3 with a run scored, a RBI, a stolen base and a walk.

• Thompson and 2B Diosbel Arias had all four hits for Round Rock. Arias finished 2-for-4 with two strikeouts.

• RHP Glenn Otto joined the Express on a Major League rehab assignment. He threw 55 pitches and 39 for a strike while allowing one home run in his 2.2-inning start.

Next up: The Express take on Oklahoma City in game two of the series at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Wednesday night.** Dodgers **RHP Michael Grove (0-1, 4.71) will take the mound against Round Rock LHP Cole Ragans (0-0, 2.57). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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