Puig's Bat Still Hot But Dodgers' Win Streak Snapped

The Oklahoma City Dodgers’ six-game winning streak came to an end in a 6-2 loss to the Albuquerque Isotopes Tuesday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

After racking up 46 runs over their previous six wins, the Dodgers were held scoreless through seven innings – and to two total runs – in the series opener against the Isotopes.

Albuquerque (57-65) grabbed a quick lead in the first inning in front of a crowd of 4,088 on a RBI single by Jordan Patterson for a 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers (69-53) had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the frame. O’Koyea Dickson singled on a liner to center field. Yasiel Puig tried to score from second base on the play and was thrown out at home plate in the bottom of the first inning.

In the third inning, former Oklahoma City RedHawks player Brandon Barnes hit a two-run homer into the Dodgers’ bullpen in left-center field to give the Isotopes a 3-0 lead. The home run ended the Dodgers’ season-high streak of eight straight games without allowing a home run.

The Isotopes opened the fourth inning with three straight hits to load the bases. Then with one out, Mike Tauchman grounded out to bring home another run for Albuquerque. Barnes followed and connected on a two-run single to boost Albuquerque to a 6-0 lead as he started the night 3-for-3.

Barnes finished the night 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored as he fell a triple shy of the cycle.

Albuquerque loaded the bases in the top of the eighth inning against Dodgers reliever Jacob Rhame with two outs. Rhame then struck out Albuquerque pitcher Kyle Freeland to escape the jam and prevent the Isotopes from adding to their lead.

The Dodgers broke through the shutout in the eighth inning.

Puig belted an opposite field home run into the Albuquerque bullpen in right-center field to bring home two runs and cut the Isotopes’ lead to 6-2. The home run was Puig’s third in his last five games with Oklahoma City as he finished the night 3-for-4.

Albuquerque starting pitcher Freeland (4-2) earned the win, holding the Dodgers scoreless and to six hits over seven innings with two walks and three strikeouts.

Dodgers starting pitcher Jeremy Kehrt (4-5) made his first start with Oklahoma City since mid-May and was charged with the loss, allowing six runs and nine hits over 4.0 innings. He did not issue a walk and recorded one strikeout.

The Dodgers bullpen then held the Isotopes scoreless over the final five frames as six total pitchers combined to strike out 11 Albuquerque batters in the game.

The Dodgers continue their series against the Albuquerque Isotopes at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.