Round Rock Falls 2-0 in Pitchers’ Duel at Oklahoma City 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers (46-40) claimed a 2-0 win over the Round Rock Express (41-45) at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Friday night. The E-Train pitching staff totaled 6.1 scoreless innings while the Dodgers kept Round Rock off the board through nine, marking just the second Round Rock shutout this season.

Round Rock RHP Tyson Miller (0-1, 3.91) allowed both of the Dodgers’ runs to score during his 1.2 innings of relief, giving him the night’s loss. Oklahoma City RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx (9-1, 4.08) earned the win after entering the game in relief and throwing seven scoreless innings that included four hits and eight strikeouts.

The two teams played through six scoreless frames to begin the contest as Express starter A.J. Alexy tossed 5.0 innings that saw nine strikeouts and just two hits and two walks. RHP John King followed with one scoreless frame of relief during his second Major League rehab appearance in which he struck out two batters.

Oklahoma City plated its first run in the seventh inning as LF Luke Raley hit a single before moving to second on a Drew Avans single. In the next at-bat, DH Cristian Santana knocked the third single of the inning to drive Raley home and put the Dodgers on the board.

An insurance run crossed for the Dodgers in the eighth when RF Steven Souza made his way around the bases after working a leadoff walk. He then advanced as 2B Carlos Asuaje grounded out, stole third and finally scored thanks to a base hit from Raley, bringing the total to 2-0.

Despite the loss, Round Rock edged Oklahoma City 8-6 in hits as 2B Nick Solak and RF Carl Chester both recorded multi-hit games with two apiece. Express runners found themselves in scoring position five times throughout the contest, but the Dodgers defense kept them from crossing home.

The two teams meet again on Saturday night for game three at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Express RHP Glenn Otto (0-1, 6.00) is set to start against Dodgers RHP Ryan Pepiot (1-0, 7.00). First pitch in is scheduled 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!