Five-run first dooms Iowa in loss at OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma City (26-11) used a five-run first inning to help the Dodgers defeat the Iowa Cubs (18-19) 7-5 in Pacific Coast League action at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark Sunday afternoon. Oklahoma City has won eight of the last 10 against Iowa.

 

The Dodgers jumped all over Iowa starter Dallas Beeler (0-3) in the bottom of the first. After recording two quick outs, Beeler allowed seven straight Dodgers to reach safely. Corey Seager and O'Koyea Dickson got the offense rolling with back-to-back base hits before Beeler hit Scott Schebler with a pitch to load the bases. Next, Kyle Jensen drove in a run with an infield RBI-single, followed by Andy Wilkins' two-RBI single to center. Beeler then intentionally walked Brian Ward to reload the bases to get to pitcher P.J. Walters, who made him pay with a two-RBI base hit of his own.

 

The season-long first-inning woes continued for Iowa. Opponents have now scored 32 runs against Iowa in the first, more than any other frame.

 

Iowa tried to mount a comeback in the middle innings, scoring four runs in the fifth off Walters. Jonathan Mota led off the frame with a solo home run, his second of the season. Taylor Davis followed with a double, and was driven home by an Arismendy Alcantara single. Next, Matt Szczur walked and Javy Baez flew out to right, allowing Alcantara to advance to third. Christian Villanueva followed it up with a sacrifice fly to left, and Mike Baxter chipped in with an RBI-single to plate Szczur.

 

Iowa added another run in the sixth inning off Dodgers right-hander Ramon Troncoso. Rubi Silva led off the inning with a single and was sacrificed to second by a Mota bunt. Davis then walloped a double to center to score Silva, but the rally fell short.

 

The Dodgers added valuable insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings off Iowa reliever Armando Rivero, which proved to be the difference.

 

Beeler allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 4.0 innings. He is now 0-3 with a 10.53 ERA (23ER/19.2IP) in five rehab starts for Iowa this season. The righty has averaged just less than 4.0 innings per start. He has also walked 18 batters over that span.

 

Walters (1-1) surrendered four runs on eight hits and one walk in 5.0 innings to earn the win. He struck out two. David Aardsma nailed down his league-leading 11th save with a perfect ninth inning.

 

Davis led Iowa offensively, going 3-for-3 with three doubles and an RBI despite not starting the game. Alcantara and Silva each had multi-hit games.

 

Wilkins paced Oklahoma City with a 2-for-4 afternoon, including two runs and three RBI. Dickson had two hits and scored twice.

 

Iowa and Oklahoma City will play game three of a four-game series tomorrow at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CT. Right-hander Donn Roach (4-0, 2.03) will take the mound for Iowa against Dodgers right-hander Zach Lee (4-2, 2.70). The game can be heard live on AM 940, 104.5 FM, and live-streamed at Iowacubs.com. The On-Deck Circle Pre-game Show will begin 6:40 p.m. CT.