Roller Coaster Dodgers Drop Fifth-Straight

The Round Rock Express built a 10-0 lead, scoring eight runs in the fifth inning, on the way to a 10-7 win Thursday against the Oklahoma City Dodgers at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Dodgers scored seven unanswered runs, including six runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but they were not enough to overcome the early deficit.

The Express (54-59) took a 2-0 lead in the four-game series against the Dodgers, who lost a fifth straight game in front of a crowd of 6,074.

Round Rock scored in the first inning when Joey Gallo doubled to left field to drive in the first two runs of the night.

The Express then racked up eight runs in the fifth inning.

Hanser Alberto hit a sacrifice bunt to bring home Round Rock’s first run of the inning. Then with two outs, Drew Robinson walked to load the bases for Drew Stubbs, who grounded into fielder’s choice allowing a run to score. Brett Nicholas followed and hit a grounder toward Dodgers shortstop Brandon Hicks, who was charged with a fielding error on the play, and another run scored. After Gallo drew a walk to load the bases, Matt Duffy was hit by a pitch to bring home Round Rock’s fourth run of the night.

With the bases loaded again, Jared Hoying hit a grand slam to right-center field to push the Express ahead, 10-0. The grand slam was Hoying’s third of the season and the first allowed by the Dodgers in 2016.

The eight runs were the most given up by the Dodgers in an inning this season and the most allowed by an Oklahoma City team since June 1, 2015 when Fresno scored nine runs in the fourth inning of a 14-1 win against the Dodgers in Bricktown.

The Dodgers (62-49) rallied for their first run with two outs in the seventh inning. Jack Murphy singled for his third hit of the night, then Hicks and Austin Barnes drew back-to-back walks to load the bases for Drew Maggi. Maggi then hit an infield RBI single to bring home Oklahoma City’s first run, making the score, 10-1.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Murphy drew a one-out walk to reach base for the fourth time. Hicks followed with his fifth homer of the season on a towering fly ball to center field to cut the Express lead to 10-3.

Barnes drew a walk before Maggi struck out for the second out of the inning. Barnes advanced to second base on a wild pitch and then to third base on a single by Rob Segedin. O’Koyea Dickson followed with a RBI single to score Barnes for Oklahoma City’s fourth run of the night.

Then with runners at first and second base, Charlie Culberson launched a three-run homer down the left field line and out of the ballpark to cut Round Rock’s lead to 10-7. Will Venable then struck out to end the game.

Express starting pitcher Yohander Mendez (2-0) was credited with the win, holding the Dodgers scoreless and to three hits over 5.0 innings with two walks and three strikeouts.

Trevor Oaks (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season with Oklahoma City, allowing 10 runs (four earned) and seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

The Dodgers last lost five consecutive games during a stretch of six straight losses May 22-27.

The Dodgers’ series against the Round Rock Express continues at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Fireworks are scheduled to follow the game, presented by Francis Tuttle Technology Center.