Oklahoma City Claims Series-Opening Win Over Round Rock 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Round Rock Express (41-44) dropped its series opener to the Oklahoma City Dodgers (45-40) on Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by a final score of 11-1. RHP Jake Lemoine closed out the contest with 2.0 scoreless frames of relief for Round Rock.

Round Rock starter RHP Yerry Rodriguez (0-2, 22.24) was tagged with the night’s loss after allowing six runs while striking out three during his 2.2 innings on the bump. Dodgers starter RHP Yefry Ram**í**rez (4-3, 5.08) got the win after a 5.0-inning outing that saw one run and three punchouts.

The Express plated its lone run of the night in the first inning as DH Nick Solak hit a one-out single before advancing to second then third on a Leody Taveras walk and Dodgers throwing error. Solak scored thanks to a sacrifice fly from 1B Yohel Pozo to give Round Rock its only lead of the contest.

RF Zach Reks knotted the game at 1-1 in the second frame with a leadoff home run that went out to left field.

Oklahoma City broke things open, dropping a five-spot in the third. 2B Carlos Asuaje, CF Luke Raley and 3B Gavin Lux loaded the bases for the Dodgers on two walks and a base hit before all three scored as 1B Matt Davidson doubled to center field. The bases were loaded once again as LF Yoshi Tsutsugo and C Tony Wolters reached on a walk and hit-by-pitch, respectively. A single from DH Omar Est**é**vez scored Davidson and Tsutsugo for the 6-1 lead.

In the fifth, Tsutsugo worked a leadoff walk and advanced to second as Wolters tallied a single. The outfielder moved to third on an Estévez fly out before scoring on an Asuaje sacrifice fly, increasing Oklahoma City’s advantage to 7-1.

The Dodgers brought four more runs in as Raley, Lux, Davidson and SS Sheldon Neuse all crossed home thanks to two walks, a single, two wild pitches, two sacrifice flies, a passed ball and a balk. The four-spot gave Oklahoma City an 11-1 lead that their pitching staff held to be final.

Round Rock and Oklahoma City play for game two on Friday night. Express RHP A.J. Alexy (0-0, 5.79) is scheduled to take the mound against Dodgers RHP Nick Tropeano (0-0, 10.80). First pitch in Oklahoma City is set for 7:05 p.m.

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!