Express Fall Short, Dodgers Earn 6-5 Win on Thursday Night

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Oklahoma City Dodgers (43-26) beat the Round Rock Express (36-33) by a final score of 6-5 on Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

LHP Justin Bruihl (1-0, 3.68) earned the win for Oklahoma City after a scoreless 1.2-inning relief appearance. He did not allow a hit, walked one and struck out two. Round Rock reliever RHP Ryder Ryan (3-3, 3.72) earned a blown-save loss after a 1.0-inning performance that saw two earned runs on two hits. He struck out one. Dodgers RHP Carson Fulmer (S, 6) provided a hitless 1.1-inning appearance for his sixth save.

Along the Train Tracks:

• Both teams scratched a run across in the first inning. After a one-out walk for Round Rock DH Andy Ibáñez, LF Zach Reks was hit by a pitch. 1B Elier Hernandez knocked a double that scored Ibáñez to give the Express a 1-0 advantage.

• CF Drew Avans singled to start the bottom of the first for Oklahoma City before a single from 1B Jake Lamb put runners on first and second base. With two outs, RF Jason Martin singled to score Avans and tie the game at one.

• The Dodgers grabbed a 3-1 advantage in the second inning. LF Omar Estévez singled with one out before Avans earned a walk. 3B Miguel Vargas scored Estévez on a double that also advanced Avans to third base. Lamb hit a sacrifice fly to score Avans and extend the lead.

• The E-Train answered with a three-spot in the fourth inning. RF Josh Sale walked to start the inning before Dodgers LHP Robbie Erlin bounced back to get the next two outs. C Jack Kruger singled to extend the frame and 2B Nash Knight cleared the bases with a three-run home run to give Round Rock a 4-3 lead.

• In the fifth, a single for Reks and back-to-back walks for Sale and SS Davis Wendzel loaded the bases. A Diosbel Arias sacrifice fly sent Reks home and increased the Express lead to 5-3.

• Oklahoma City began their comeback in the sixth frame when Round Rock RHP Demarcus Evans issued three walks to load the bases. A fielder’s choice for Vargas scored 1B Ryan Noda and cut the lead to 5-4.

• The Dodgers scored twice in the seventh inning to take the lead. After a leadoff single for Lamb, 2B Michael Busch cranked a two-run home run, pushing Oklahoma City ahead 6-5. The Dodgers bullpen collected the final six outs of the night to secure the victory.

  E-Train Excerpts:

• Round Rock 2B Nash Knight hit his first home run since May 10 during the contest. Knight finished 1-for-3 with three RBI, one run scored and a walk.

• Express RHP Yerry Rodriguez tossed one scoreless inning out of the bullpen. He faced the minimum in the ninth inning and struck out two along the way.

Next up: The Express take on the Dodgers in game four of the series at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Friday night.** Dodgers **RHP Jon Duplantier (4-0, 4.71) is slated to take the mound against LHP Kolby Allard (0-1, 4.96). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Single game tickets as well as full season and mini season membership plans are on sale now. 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!