Dodgers Fall In American Conference Finals Game 1

The Nashville Sounds built an early six-run lead, then fended off an Oklahoma City Dodgers comeback as they outlasted the Dodgers in a 10-7 win to take Game 1 of the American Conference Finals Wednesday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Dodgers quickly fell behind, 6-0, in the third inning. They cut the Sounds’ lead to one run in the fifth inning, and again in the sixth inning, but were unable to overcome the deficit.

The Dodgers’ six-game winning streak came to a close as the Sounds took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five playoff series between the teams.

Oklahoma City’s playoff struggles continued as the team lost its 12th consecutive playoff game and has not won a playoff game since 2008.

The teams combined for 17 runs and 25 hits in Wednesday’s game that lasted three hours, 54 minutes in front of a crowd of 6,031. At least one run scored in eight of the nine innings.

Third baseman Renato Nunez racked up five RBI for the Sounds as he went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run.

He gave Nashville the first lead of the game in the first inning when he connected on a one-out towering three-run homer down the left-field line for a 3-0 Sounds advantage.

The Sounds opened the second inning with four straight hits, including a bases-loaded two-run single by Colin Walsh to put the Sounds ahead, 5-0. Nashville loaded the bases again later in the inning for Rangel Ravelo, who grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Dodgers loaded the bases in the bottom of the second inning with one out for Brandon Hicks, who lined out to second base. Micah Johnson was then called out on strikes to end the inning.

The Sounds added another run in the third inning to take a 6-0 lead. Jaycob Brugman grounded into a force out at second base and a throwing error by Oklahoma City shortstop Chris Taylor on his throw toward first base on the play allowed another run to score.

The Dodgers loaded the bases in the bottom of the third inning with one out for Will Venable, who grounded into a force out at second base to bring home one run before an errant throw by Sounds shortstop Franklin Barreto allowed a second Dodgers’ run to score and cut Nashville’s lead to 6-2.

A RBI single by Jack Murphy later in the inning brought home Oklahoma City’s third run of the inning to cut the Sounds’ lead to 6-3.

Walsh led off the fourth inning with a walk, then scored on a RBI double on a deep fly ball to left-center field by Nunez for a 7-3 Nashville lead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, a two-out solo home run by PCL Player of the Week O’Koyea Dickson landed in the Sounds’ bullpen and cut Nashville’s lead to 7-4.

The Dodgers added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. A wild pitch by Nashville reliever Eduard Santos with two outs allowed Taylor to score from third base and cut Nashville’s lead to two runs. A RBI single into right field by Johnson then cut Nashville’s lead to one run, 7-6.

Cody Bellinger walked to load the bases with two outs later in the fifth inning for Dickson, who struck out swinging to end the inning.

A sacrifice fly by Nunez in the sixth inning boosted the Sounds to an 8-6 advantage.

Corey Brown crushed the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the sixth inning for a solo homer out to center field to bring the Dodgers within one run, 8-7. He led the Dodgers with three hits Wednesday.

Brugman led off the eighth inning with a single for the Sounds and scored on a RBI double on a deep fly ball by Barreto to put Nashville ahead, 9-7.

A RBI single by BJ Boyd in the ninth inning brought home Nashville’s 10th run of the night.

Nashville reliever Aaron Kurcz (1-0) was credited with the win, allowing one run and one hit over 2.0 innings. Sounds pitcher Tucker Healy pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the save.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Kazmir (0-1) made his first appearance with Oklahoma City on ML rehab assignment. He was charged with the loss after allowing three runs, one hit, two walks and did not record a strikeout over two-thirds of an inning. He exited the game in the first inning after a visit to the mound by Dodgers athletic trainer Greg Harrel. Kazmir threw 33 pitches, including 15 strikes.

The Dodgers continue postseason play against the Sounds in Game 2 at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark before the series shifts to Nashville for the final three games of the series.