Express Tops Dodgers 8-5 in Saturday Night’s Contest

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Round Rock Express (60-56) topped the Oklahoma City Dodgers (59-57) on Saturday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by a final score of 8-5 thanks to ninth-inning heroics. In his first performance back with the E-Train since spending time with the Texas Rangers, C Yohel Pozo went 3-5 with a double, home run, two RBI and two runs scored.

Despite allowing two runs that allowed Oklahoma City to briefly claim a lead, Round Rock RHP Jake Lemoine (7-4, 3.14) earned the night’s win with his 1.0 inning of relief on the bump. Oklahoma City reliever RHP Kevin Quackenbush (1-7, 1.82) was tagged with a blown-save loss after his ninth-inning performance saw four runs on four hits and one walk en route to the Round Rock lead.

The Express plated its first run of the night in the second frame when Pozo hit a leadoff double before scoring thanks to a single from LF Steele Walker as the good guys took a 1-0 lead.

Oklahoma City took over in the third for a 2-1 advantage as LF Steven Souza blasted a home run that scored himself and 1B Sheldon Neuse, who reached base with a leadoff single.

The Dodgers added a third run in the fourth inning thanks to a solo dinger from CF Omar Est**é**vez.

Round Rock plated three during the sixth frame when 1B Charles Leblanc worked a leadoff walk then moved to third on a Ryan Dorow double. Leblanc scored thanks to a sacrifice fly from 2B Domingo Leyba before Dorow came home when Pozo launched a home run down the left-field line to make it a 4-3 contest.

The bottom of the eighth saw two runs for the Dodgers. After RF Zach Reks drew a one-out walk, DH Matt Davidson knocked the first pitch he saw out of the park to score Reks and push Oklahoma City to a 5-4 lead.

With the home team leading heading into the final frame, Round Rock worked at a comeback as DH Curtis Terry hit a leadoff double then moved to third on an Oklahoma City error. CF Jason Martin worked a walk then RF Elier Hernandez reached base on a fielder’s choice that saw Terry called out at home. Dorow then knocked a single to load the bases. A double from 3B Josh Jung sent both Martin and Hernandez across home plate before Leyba doubled to score Dorow and Jung, giving Round Rock an 8-5 advantage.

Express RHP Buck Farmer entered in the ninth inning and recorded a groundout and two fly outs to earn his seventh save in as many opportunities and clinch the victory for Round Rock.

Round Rock looks to claim the series win over Oklahoma City on Sunday afternoon at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Express RHP David Kubiak (2-0, 1.69) is scheduled to make the start up against Dodgers RHP Mitch White (1-0, 2.25). First pitch is slated for 2:05 p.m. CT.

For more information about the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Subscribe to the E-Train email newsletter and keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!