Early Runs Fuel Dodgers to 8-2 Win

A four-run burst in the first inning powered the Oklahoma City Dodgers to an 8-2 win Sunday afternoon against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at Security Service Field.

The Dodgers (16-12) took a 2-1 edge in the four-game series between the teams as the Oklahoma City pitching staff held an opponent to three or fewer runs for the eighth straight game.

Outfielder Corey Brown finished the game 3-for-3 with a double, two walks, one RBI and three runs scored to lead the Dodgers.

Oklahoma City built a quick 4-0 lead on five hits in the first inning.

Elian Herrera led off the game with a single. He advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Micah Johnson and then to third base on a wild pitch. Rob Segedin then hit a two-run homer to left-center field for a 2-0 Oklahoma City advantage. The home run was Segedin’s team-leading sixth homer of the season.

Brown followed with a double before Jose Tabata collected a RBI single. Zach Walters walked, then James Ramsey’s RBI double pushed Oklahoma City to a four-run lead with one out.

The Sky Sox (11-17) cut into the Dodgers’ lead in the bottom of the second inning with a two-out RBI single by Josmil Pinto.

The next three runs for Oklahoma City all scored without a Dodgers’ hit.

Oklahoma City quickly got a run back in the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded, Jack Murphy drew a walk from Colorado Springs pitcher Taylor Jungmann to bring home an Oklahoma City run for a 5-1 Dodgers advantage.

The Dodgers added two more runs in the fourth inning. Johnson led off the inning with a walk, then stole second and third base. Brown walked and Tabata was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Walters who hit a sacrifice fly and pushed the Dodgers ahead, 6-1. With Ramsey at the plate, Tabata was caught stealing second base and Brown scored during the rundown for a 7-1 advantage.

A two-out RBI triple by Garin Cecchini scored the Sky Sox’s second run of the day in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 7-2.

The Dodgers added a run in the top of the eighth inning.

With runners at second and third base, Brown singled through the hole on the right side and into right field allowing Herrera to score the Dodgers’ eighth run of the day. Johnson also attempted to score on the play, but was tagged out at home on a throw from right field to keep Oklahoma City’s lead at six runs.

The Dodgers had a chance to add more late runs in the game when they loaded the bases with none out in the top of the ninth inning, but were unable to bring home a run. Oklahoma City also left the bases loaded in the third and sixth innings Sunday.

Dodgers starting pitcher Sam LeCure (1-1) earned the win. He allowed two runs on four hits, walked one and recorded three strikeouts. He exited the game with one out in the sixth inning with an apparent injury. Ian Thomas, Joe Thatcher and Jacob Rhame closed out the game for Oklahoma City with 3.2 scoreless frames.

Colorado Springs starting pitcher Jungmann (0-2) was charged with the loss, allowing seven runs (six earned), five hits, issuing six walks and striking out four.

The Dodgers walked 10 times Sunday, but also recorded 11 strikeouts, marking the 16th time this season the Dodgers have struck out at least 10 times in a game. Oklahoma City outhit the Sky Sox, 10-6.

The Dodgers wrap up their four-game series in Colorado Springs with a Monday matinee at 1:35 p.m. Central time against the Sky Sox at Security Service Field.

Live coverage begins 15 minutes before the first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free iHeartRadio mobile app.