Dodgers Close Out Series With Win Against I-Cubs

Early offense helped the Oklahoma City Dodgers to a 4-2 win Tuesday afternoon against the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park.

The Dodgers pitching staff then closed the game with six scoreless frames to take the four-game series against the I-Cubs, 3-1.

Oklahoma City (11-8) scored three runs in the third inning and built a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning after Iowa scored both of its runs in the third frame.

The Dodgers opened the game by drawing back-to-back walks in the firsts inning, but Iowa pitcher Pierce Johnson retired the next three batters to get out of the inning.

Dodgers second baseman Elian Herrera drew his second walk in as many at-bats to lead off the third inning. Corey Brown hit a one-out single to put runners at first and second base. Rob Segedin then connected on a two-run triple on a fly ball to deep right field to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and bring home both runners to put OKC in front, 2-0. A sacrifice fly by Zach Walters followed, allowing Segedin to score for a 3-0 lead.

Iowa (7-11) loaded the bases in the bottom of the third inning with one out for Matt Murton, who hit a soft liner to left field to drive in Iowa’s two runs and cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 3-2.

Segedin hit a two-out double in the fifth inning. Walters came up to bat next and hit a single toward Iowa shortstop Munenori Kawasaki. Kawasaki fielded the ball, but his throw toward first base was low and ended up in the Dodgers’ dugout along the first base line allowing Segedin to score and Walters to advance to second and on the throwing error for a 4-2 Oklahoma City.

Segedin finished the series against the I-Cubs hitting 8-for-20 with six extra-base hits, six RBI and nine runs scored. He also collected an RBI in a sixth straight game.

Dodgers starting pitcher Jeremy Kehrt (2-1) earned his second win of the season in his second quality start of 2016. He allowed two runs and six hits. He walked two and struck out eight Iowa batters for his highest strikeout total since an April 21, 2010 game while in High-A with Salem.

Oklahoma City reliever Joe Thatcher followed with a scoreless and hitless seventh inning, before Matt West closed out the game with two scoreless frames for his first save of the season for the Dodgers.

Iowa starting pitcher Pierce Johnson (0-1) was charged with the loss, allowing four runs and six hits. He walked four and had six strikeouts.

The I-Cubs bullpen retired the final 13 Dodgers batters in the game as the Dodgers won their second road series of the season. Iowa outhit Oklahoma City, 8-6.