Fast Start Leads to 8-2 Win in Sugar Land

Oklahoma City Dodgers – 8

Sugar Land Space Cowboys – 2

Saturday, July 1, 2023 – Constellation Field – Sugar Land, Texas

Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Dodgers scored in each of the first four innings to take a 7-0 lead, and starting pitcher Landon Knack dealt six scoreless innings during an 8-2 victory over the Sugar Land Space Cowboys Saturday night at Constellation Field. The Dodgers (3-1/53-24) took a 2-0 lead two batters into the game when Michael Busch popped a two-run homer. They added two runs in the second inning and scored twice more in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Bryson Brigman and RBI double by Drew Avans. Devin Mann ripped a RBI single in the fourth inning to make it 7-0. The Space Cowboys (1-3/34-45) got on the board in the seventh inning with a two-run homer by Joe Perez. The Dodgers scored their final run in the ninth inning with a RBI single by Brigman. Knack earned a second consecutive win and allowed three hits over his six stellar frames. He walked two and notched seven strikeouts.

Of Note:

-The Dodgers have won each of the last three games and improved to 17-5 in their last 22 road games. At 53-24 overall this season, the Dodgers are a season-best 29 games above .500. They lead the Minors in total wins as well as road wins (28).

-The Dodgers scored at least eight runs and at least 13 hits for a second straight night. All nine batters hit safely, and the team finished with four extra-base hits and eight walks…Between the last two games, the Dodgers have scored 19 runs on 32 hits. They have outscored the Space Cowboys, 19-4, and outhit Sugar Land, 32-9.

-Making his third Triple-A start, Landon Knack did not allow a run over six innings. He allowed three hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. Through his first four innings, Knack retired 12 of 14 batters, and he retired 15 of 18 batters through five innings. He worked around a leadoff double in the sixth inning to keep the Space Cowboys off the scoreboard. He held Sugar Land 1-for-10 with runners on base and 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

-Michael Busch recorded a game-high three RBI with a two-run homer and bases-loaded walk. In his first two games since his most recent option to Triple-A, Busch is 3-for-9 with two-extra base hits, five RBI and three walks. In his last 11 games with OKC, Busch is 20-for-45 (.444) with 13 extra-base hits and 20 RBI.

-Hunter Feduccia registered a fourth straight multi-hit game after he went 2-for-4 with a double, walk and two runs scored. During the four-game stretch, Feduccia is 10-for-15 with five extra-base hits…He has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, going 21-for-39 (.538). He has also reached base at least twice in 10 of his last 11 games, posting a .625 OBP.

-Devin Mann led all players with three hits, going 3-for-4 with a walk, RBI and two runs scored. He has hit safely in six of his last seven games and nine of his last 11 games.

-Drew Avans reached base four times for a second straight game with a double, two walks and a hit by pitch. He has three hits, four walks and a hit by pitch over the last two games with four runs scored.

-Jimmy Nelson continued his Major League Rehab Assignment and pitched the seventh inning. He allowed two runs and one hit, with one walk, one hit batter and one strikeout. Nelson threw 20 pitches, with 10 strikes…Both runs scored on a two-run homer, marking the first home run Nelson had allowed at any level since Sept. 13, 2019 while with the Milwaukee Brewers.

-David Freitas went 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and a walk and extended his hitting streak to 10 games – the longest active hitting streak on the team. He is 12-for-41 during the streak.

-The pitching staff allowed two runs for a third consecutive game.

What’s Next: The Dodgers aim for their fourth straight win in Sugar Land starting at 7:05 p.m. Sunday at Constellation Field. Live radio coverage of each OKC Dodgers game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps.