Dodgers Surge Past Isotopes

The Oklahoma City Dodgers scored six runs over the seventh and eighth innings, and the pitching staff turned in another strong night in an 8-2 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes Tuesday night at Isotopes Park.

The Dodgers (79-51) have taken two of the first three game in Albuquerque and have now won seven of their last eight road games. Elsewhere Tuesday night, Iowa split a doubleheader and Omaha lost, pushing OKC’s first-place lead to seven games ahead of Iowa, and 7.5 games ahead of Omaha.

Corey Seager started the scoring very quickly for the Dodgers. Batting with one out in the first inning, Seager lifted a home run to left field, giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Seager has now hit two home runs in his last three games, and three home runs in his last five games.

However, the Isotopes (56-75) answered with a solo home run of their own in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Cristhian Adames belted a homer out to left field to knot the score, 1-1.

The game remained tied until the fifth inning. Seager sent a soft line drive to left field for a RBI single, scoring Darwin Barney and putting OKC in front, 2-1.

The Dodgers got some breathing room in the seventh, scoring three times. With runners at second and third with one out, relief pitcher Jharel Cotton lined a two-run triple down the left field line in his first Triple-A at-bat, making it 4-1.

Cotton was still at third base with two outs when Corey Seager hit a grounder to Isotopes first baseman Willin Rosario. Although it appeared Rosario fielded the ball while his foot was on the base, umpire Jeff Morrow ruled Rosario was not on the base when he picked up the ball. Seager was ruled safe and Cotton ended up scoring.

It was all part of a memorable Triple-A debut for Cotton. In addition to his big triple, he dealt two scoreless innings on the mound, registering six strikeouts.

The Dodgers rapped out four hits in a three-run eighth inning. Scott Schebler and Barney each collected RBI singles, and Austin Barnes also scored on a wild pitch to make it 8-1.

Tommy Murphy led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a solo home run, but the Isotopes would get no closer.

Making a spot start, David Huff delivered five strong innings, holding the Isotopes to one run and two hits. Huff (5-1) allowed just one runner to reach scoring position and finished with four strikeouts and two walks.

Huff, Cotton, and Adam Liberatore combined to strike out 11 Isotopes hitters. At one point, the Dodgers recorded nine consecutive outs all on strikeouts. And for the 12th time in the last 16 games, the Dodgers allowed two or fewer runs.

John Lannan picked up the loss for Albuquerque, allowing five runs (four earned) and seven hits over 6.1 innings. Lannan (6-9) kept the Dodgers to two runs and four hits through six innings before getting chased in the seventh. He struck out and walked three each.