Zephyrs Strike Back, Avoid Dodger Sweep

The New Orleans Zephyrs scored four unanswered runs as they held the Oklahoma City Dodgers scoreless over the final eight innings in a 4-1 New Orleans win Monday afternoon at Zephyr Field.

New Orleans avoided a series sweep with the victory in the series finale, and ended a nine-game losing streak to the Dodgers at Zephyr Field that dated back to last season.

The Dodgers (37-32) won the series between the teams, 3-1, and struck early offensively Monday to take the lead.

With one out in the first inning, Charlie Culberson singled to extend his hitting streak to six games. Rob Segedin followed with a RBI double to put the Dodgers in front, 1-0.

The Zephyrs (33-36) tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the third inning. Isaac Galloway led off with an infield single and later scored on a two-out RBI single by Robert Andino.

A home run to center field by New Orleans’ Destin Hood gave the Zephyrs the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Zephyrs added to their lead in the sixth inning, scoring two runs.

Austin Nola quickly got behind 0-2 in the count, but eventually drew a walk from Dodgers pitcher Jharel Cotton to lead off for the Zephyrs. Xavier Scruggs came up to bat next and hit a grounder to Dodgers third baseman Austin Barnes. Barnes was unable to field the ball cleanly and in time to turn a double play, but was able to retire Scruggs at first base as Nola advanced to second base.

Matt Juengel followed and lined a RBI single to center field. Destin Hood came up to bat next and hit a RBI double into right field for a 4-1 New Orleans lead.

New Orleans starting pitcher Justin Nicolino (3-2) retired 20 of the 24 Dodgers he faced, including 19 of the final 21 in the win. He held Oklahoma City to one run and four hits, did not issue a walk and struck out three over 7.0 innings.

Jo-Jo Reyes pitched the final two innings for the Zephyrs, allowing just one hit for his third save of the season.

Cotton (6-4) suffered his first loss since returning to the Dodgers starting rotation in late May. He allowed four runs and five hits over 6.0 innings. He walked three and struck out eight. He combined with reliever Gus Schlosser to strike out 11 Zephyrs total.

Monday’s loss ended the Dodgers’ four-game winning streak and stretch of five straight road victories.

The four runs scored by the Zephyrs Monday marked their highest run total against Oklahoma City in eight meetings between the teams this season.

Each team collected five hits in the game.

The Dodgers return home to open a nine-game homestand and four-game series against the Round Rock Express at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.