Sky Sox Rally Late To Stun Dodgers

The Oklahoma City Dodgers held two late leads Sunday afternoon, but ended up losing to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 6-5, on a walk-off two-run single by Nevin Ashley in the bottom of the ninth inning at Security Service Field.

The Dodgers took a 3-0 lead in the top of the eighth inning before the Sky Sox scored four runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 4-3 lead.

Solo home runs from Dodgers O’Koyea Dickson and Ralph Henriquez in the top of the ninth inning put Oklahoma City back in front, 5-4.

Dodgers reliever Randy Fontanez entered the game to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning and issued three straight walks to load the bases with none out for Ashley, whose single to center field brought home two runs for the Sky Sox win.

Ashley racked up five RBI over the final two innings in the series finale between the teams.

The Dodgers’ three-game winning streak came to an end, but they enter the All-Star Break with a league-leading 56-32 record. Oklahoma City won the five-game series in Colorado Springs, 3-2.

The Dodgers took an early lead Sunday against the Sky Sox (34-54).

Rehabbing Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford tripled on a line drive to the wall in right field, then scored on a RBI groundout by Corey Seager for a 1-0 Oklahoma City advantage in the first inning.

In the bottom of the third inning, Colorado Springs had a chance to tie the game. Donnie Murphy singled and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Hiram Burgos. Elian Herrera stepped up to the plate next and singled to center field. During a rundown on the play, Dodgers catcher Henriquez tagged out Murphy at home to keep the Dodgers’ 1-0 lead in tact.

The Sky Sox loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning, but starting pitcher Rudy Owens got out of the jam as Matt Long flied out to end the frame and keep OKC in front, 1-0.

Andy Wilkins homered to right center field – his second in as many games – to lead off the seventh inning and give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. Wilkins moved into a tie with Chris Heisey for the team lead with 12 homers this season.

Darnell Sweeney drew a one-out walk, then scored on a two-out RBI single by Seager for a 3-0 Oklahoma City lead in the eighth inning.

Yimi Garcia entered the game to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning, making his first appearance with Oklahoma City. He issued a walk and back-to-back singles to load the bases for Matt Dominguez, who then drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Herrera and cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 3-1.

Ashley then followed with a bases-clearing double to put Colorado Springs in front, 4-3.

The Dodgers answered with two home runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a 5-4 lead. Dickson knocked a one-out homer to left center field, for his seventh homer of the season, to tie the game. And two batters later, Henriquez hit his first homer of the season to right field to give Oklahoma City a 5-4 lead.

Sunday marked the third time this season the Dodgers have lost when leading after seven innings (46-3), and all three losses have gone to the Sky Sox.

Owens pitched six scoreless innings for Oklahoma City, but ended up with a no decision. He held the Sky Sox to four hits, issuing three walks and striking out four.

Fontanez (1-2) was charged with the loss, allowing one hit and two runs and issuing three walks in the ninth while failing to record an out.

Reliever Jaye Chapman (1-1) got the win for the Sky Sox.

The Dodgers will observe the three-day All-Star Break beginning Monday and will return to action with a four-game home series starting at 7:05 p.m. Thursday against Round Rock at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.