Dodgers Drop Third-Straight To Sky Sox

Colorado Springs Sky Sox starting pitcher Brent Suter turned in seven scoreless innings, and the Sky Sox offense had another big night, sending the Oklahoma City Dodgers to a 7-3 defeat at Security Service Field Tuesday night.

After taking the series opener, the Dodgers (62-47) dropped the final three games in Colorado Springs, marking the first time all season they lost a road series to an American Conference opponent. Although they began their eight-game road trip 4-1, they had to settle for a 4-4 record. By winning each of the final three games of the series, the Sky Sox (53-54) shaved three games off the Dodgers’ first-place lead in the American Northern Division, which now stands at eight games.

Suter (5-5) kept the Dodgers off the board over a season-high seven innings and scattered six hits — all singles. He retired 12 of the final 14 batters he faced, as well as 17 of the last 20, and did not have a runner reach scoring position outside of the second inning.  The lefty did not yield a walk and struck out six.

Over three outings this season, Suter has allowed one run and 11 hits with no walks over 14 innings against the Dodgers. In his career, he’s now allowed just one run over 20 innings against OKC.

Just like they did Monday night, the Sky Sox scored after having the bases empty with two outs in the first inning. Lewis Brinson legged out a RBI single, and Garrett Cooper followed with a RBI double to make it 1-0.

The Dodgers had a great chance to score in the top of the second inning, loading the bases with none out. But Suter struck out both Micah Johnson and Brandon Hicks, and then got pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla to ground out and end the inning.

The Sky Sox added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning. Brinson lined a RBI single to left field on a 0-2 pitch, extending the lead to 2-0.

Although Bonilla walked the leadoff batter in both the fourth and fifth innings, he erased the runner on ground ball double plays each time. The Dodgers turned four double plays on the night, marking the second time in the last five games they turned at least four double plays in one game. They’ve now turned 14 double plays over the last five games.

Bonilla wouldn’t be as fortunate in the sixth inning. Brinson led off with a single and stole second base. He scored on a RBI triple by Garin Cecchini. Michael Reed followed that with a RBI single, putting the Dodgers in a 4-0 hole.

Once Suter left the game, the Dodgers put together an impressive rally in the eighth inning. After having none on and two outs, the Dodgers strung together four straight hits, resulting in three runs. After singles by Austin Barnes and Rob Segedin, O’Koyea Dickson ripped a two-run double to left-center field. Will Venable kept things going with a RBI single to trim the deficit to just one run.

However, just like the previous night, the Dodgers bullpen couldn’t keep the team down by one, and Colorado Springs got all three runs right back. Brinson collected his fourth hit of the night with a bloop double to right field, and Cooper drove him in with a RBI single. Cecchini then sent a towering two-run homer to right field, making it 7-3.

Over the final three games of the series, Dodgers relievers allowed 14 runs and 16 hits over 7.1 innings.

Bonilla (2-3) pitched a season-high seven innings in his return to the OKC Dodgers. He allowed four runs and nine hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.

The Dodgers return home to face the Round Rock Express Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m.