Dodgers Take Series Opener Against Storm Chasers

The Oklahoma City Dodgers scored four runs in the first inning on the way to a 9-3 win against the Omaha Storm Chasers Monday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Designated hitter O’Koyea Dickson doubled and homered in the game to drive in three Dodgers runs as Oklahoma City took the first of four meetings against the Storm Chasers in front of a crowd of 3,811.

Dodgers starting pitcher Brock Stewart earned the win in his Triple-A debut, allowing three runs and five hits over 5.2 innings. He walked one and recorded seven strikeouts.

Dodgers newcomer Daniel Fields, who joined the Oklahoma City outfield from Low-A Great Lakes Monday, led off with a single for the Dodgers in the first inning. He stole second base and scored on a RBI single by Zach Walters to put Oklahoma City in front, 1-0, with none out.

Rob Segedin singled to load the bases before Micah Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. Dickson then doubled to left field to bring home two more runs for a 4-0 Oklahoma City advantage still with none out in the first inning.

After striking out Corey Brown for the game’s first out, Omaha starting pitcher Miguel Almonte was replaced on the mound by Clayton Mortensen.

On the other hand for the Dodgers, pitcher Stewart retired the first eight batters he faced before Parker Morin singled with two outs in the top of the third inning. Irving Falu came up to bat next and hit a two-run homer to right field to cut the Dodgers’ lead in half, 4-2.

In the bottom of the inning, Dickson answered with a solo home run onto the Budweiser Deck in left field to push the Dodgers in front, 5-2.

The Storm Chasers (27-35) added a run in the sixth inning on a solo home run to left-center field by Brett Eibner, who is on a rehab assignment from the Royals, to cut OKC’s lead to 5-3.

Brown drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the sixth inning. He advanced to second on a passed ball and to third base on a wild pitch from Omaha reliever Brooks Pounders with Jack Murphy at the plate. Murphy eventually drew a walk to put runners at first and third base for Antoan Richardson. Richardson also drew a walk with Murphy in motion toward second base. Omaha catcher Morin then threw the ball toward second, allowing Brown to steal home for a 6-3 Oklahoma City lead.

The Dodgers (32-30) added three unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the bases loaded, Charlie Culberson struck out. Morin threw the ball toward second base to try to pick the runner off, but the ball went into center field allowing two Dodgers runs to score on the throwing error. Walters followed with a RBI single for a 9-3 advantage.

Almonte (3-4) allowed four runs and four hits and was charged with the loss. He recorded one strikeout and issued two walks over one-third of an inning.

Walters, Segedin and Dickson each finished with two hits apiece for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers continue their series against the Omaha Storm Chasers at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.