Three Homers Launch Dodgers to 4-2 Win

Oklahoma City Dodgers – 4

Sugar Land Space Cowboys – 2

Friday, April 14, 2023 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla.

Game Summary: Ryan Ward hit two home runs and Steven Duggar added another homer in a 4-2 win for the Oklahoma City Dodgers against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys Friday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. All four of the Dodgers’ runs, as well as all six runs scored in Friday’s game, came via home run. Sugar Land (4-8) tallied the first run of the night thanks to a solo home run by Bligh Madris in the fourth inning. Ryan Ward answered in the bottom of the fourth inning for the Dodgers (10-3). With the wind blowing out to left field, Ryan Ward launched a fly ball out to right field for a two-run homer and a 2-1 OKC advantage. The Space Cowboys tied the score, 2-2, in the sixth inning with a solo home run by Pedro León. Ward answered again for the Dodgers in the bottom of the inning, hitting a solo homer out to center field for a 3-2 Dodgers lead. In the eighth inning, OKC’s Steven Duggar hit a solo homer out to left-center field for a 4-2 lead.

Of Note:

-The Dodgers improved to 10-3 with the win, tying for the second-best start for an OKC team through 13 games during the Bricktown era (since 1998). Only the 2018 team had a better record through 13 games, going 11-2, while the 2015 and 2008 teams also started with 10-3 records…The Dodgers own the best record in the Pacific Coast League and have the most wins in all of Triple-A to start the season…OKC took a 3-1 lead in the six-game series against Sugar Land.

-The Dodgers hit three home runs for a second straight game. After not homering in each of the first two games of the series against the Space Cowboys, the Dodgers have six homers in the last two games...On the other hand, OKC allowed two more home runs and has allowed at least one homer in eight straight games (17 HR), as well as at least two home runs in six of the last seven games (16 HR).

-Ryan Ward became the third Dodgers player with a multi-homer game this season, hitting home runs in the fourth and sixth innings. It was his first multi-homer game since July 23, 2022 with Double-A Tulsa against Wichita…Ward went 2-for-3 Friday with three RBI and a walk. He is now tied with Steven Duggar and Jahmai Jones for a team-leading three homers this season.

-Steven Duggar finished with a game-high three hits, tying his season-high mark, and going 3-for-4 with a double, home run and two runs scored.

-Ben DeLuzio picked up his first multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-4, and he has now hit safely in three straight games.

-The Dodgers bullpen did not allow a run over the final four innings as Justin Bruihl (2-0), Mark Washington, Nick Robertson and Tayler Scott combined to allow one hit and one walk with six strikeouts…The Dodgers pitching staff overall combined to allow one walk and had 10 strikeouts in Friday’s game.

-Michael Busch drew a walk and has now reached base in each of OKC’s first 13 games of 2023. He was held without a hit, going 0-for-3 as his eight-game hitting streak came to an end, however. He went 13-for-32 during the stretch.

What’s Next: The series between the Dodgers and Space Cowboys continues at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark with Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond Night. The Dodgers will wear special edition Marvel-inspired jerseys on the field, along with new-for-2023 Marvel-inspired caps. The game-worn jerseys will be available for purchase through an online auction with proceeds benefitting the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation. Additionally, special guests Captain America and Captain Marvel will make appearances.

Saturday is also Jackie Robinson Day and a pregame ceremony involving the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation is scheduled to include the gifting of a Revel painting of Jackie Robinson to Urban Bridge Ministries. Additionally, Saturday is Scout Night, as well as an All-You-Can-Eat Night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Single-game tickets for OKC Dodgers games through June are available at okcdodgers.com/tickets. Live radio coverage of each OKC Dodgers game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps. Video broadcasts of all OKC Dodgers home games are now available to be streamed live for free on the Bally Live app.