Dodgers Drop Finale, Split Series With Isotopes

The Dodgers built a 5-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning, but Albuquerque answered with 11 straight runs in an eventual 11-6 win Wednesday in the series finale between the teams at Isotopes Park.

The Isotopes (57-75) scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game, then added three runs in each of the seventh and eighth innings to earn a split in the four-game series.

Iowa and Omaha both won Wednesday night, cutting the Dodgers’ first-place lead in the American Northern Division standings to six games ahead of second-place Iowa and 6.5 games ahead of third-place Omaha.

A 30-minute rain delay followed a scoreless first inning at Isotopes Park.

When play resumed with the top of the second inning, the Dodgers (79-62) quickly took a 1-0 lead. Austin Barnes led off with a single and Kyle Jensen connected on a one-out single to put runners at first and third base for Buck Britton. Britton followed with a RBI single to bring home the first run of the night.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Dodgers connected on three extra-base hits. Barnes led off with a double to left field before Scott Schebler was hit by a pitch. Both then scored on a two-run triple to right field by Britton, who led the Dodgers with three RBI Wednesday. Pitcher Joe Wieland followed with a RBI double to center field to bring home Britton for a 4-0 advantage.

Schebler led off the sixth inning by belting his 13th home run of the season on a line drive to right field for a 5-0 Dodgers lead.

The Isotopes got on the scoreboard for the first time in the bottom of the sixth inning and quickly tied the game. Trevor Story hit a one-out RBI single to right field. Brock Bond scored from third base and Rafael Ynoa scored from second base on a throwing error by Dodgers catcher Barnes when his throw toward first base went into the outfield.

Later in the inning, Wilin Rosario hit a three-run homer to left field to tie the game, 5-5.

With runners at first and second base and none out in the top of the seventh inning, Oklahoma City’s Jose Tabata grounded into a triple play to end the inning.

The Isotopes then took their first lead of the night in the bottom of the seventh inning. Story hit a RBI double and Cristhian Adames followed with a two-run single to put Albuquerque in front, 8-5.

Albuquerque added three more runs in the eighth inning. Tim Wheeler hit a two-run home run and a RBI double by Story gave the Isotopes an 11-5 advantage.

The Dodgers tacked on a run in the top of the ninth inning when Kyle Jensen scored on a wild pitch to cut Albuquerque’s lead to five runs.

Dodgers starting pitcher Joe Wieland pitched five scoreless innings before allowing five runs in the sixth inning. He allowed eight total hits, walked one and recorded five strikeouts.

Oklahoma City reliever Chris Anderson (0-1) followed and was charged with the loss in his Triple-A debut, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits over 1.1 innings.

Isotopes pitcher Nelson Gonzalez (4-3) held the Dodgers scoreless and to one hit over two innings for the win.

The Dodgers continue their final road trip of the regular season and open a four-game series with the El Paso Chihuahuas at 8:05 p.m. Central time Thursday in Oklahoma City’s first trip to Southwest University Park.

Live coverage begins at 7:35 p.m. on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free iHeartRadio mobile app.