Dodgers Stun Sky Sox, 4-3
Colorado Springs, Colo. - The Oklahoma City Dodgers scored three runs in the ninth inning, coming back to collect their first final at-bat win of the season in a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox Saturday night at Security Service Field.
Entering Saturday, the Dodgers (15-12) had not won a game in 2016 when trailing after seven or eight innings, and had only won once when trailing after six innings. Heading into the ninth inning Saturday night, the Dodgers had managed to scored just two runs over the first 17 innings of the series.
Colorado Springs led 3-1 in the ninth, looking to win the first two games of the series. The Dodgers rally started with a leadoff walk by Rob Segedin. Two batters later, Jose Tabata blasted a game-tying home run to center field for his first homer of the year. Tabata smacked three extra-base hits throughout the game, with a pair of doubles to go along with his huge homer.
Micah Johnson followed Tabata's dinger with a double to left-center field. After pinch hitter Jack Murphy grounded out, James Ramsey delivered a go-ahead RBI single to make it 4-3.
Colorado Springs reliever Jacob Barnes allowed all three runs and three hits in the ninth inning. Prior to Saturday, Barnes (2-1) had yet to allow a run over 12.0 innings and had given up four hits all season.
In the bottom of the ninth, Garin Cecchini singled with one out to put the tying run on base. Dodgers reliever Chin-Hui Tsao got each of the next two batters to ground out and end the game, as Tsao collected his third save of the season.
Tsao's scoreless ninth inning capped a strong night for the Dodgers bullpen. Five relievers combined to allow one run with five strikeouts over five innings. Jharel Cotton (3-2) picked up the win.
Just like they did on Friday night, the Dodgers went in front in the second inning. Johnson lined a two-out RBI single to left field to give OKC an early 1-0 lead.
The Sky Sox (11-16) took the lead in the fourth inning. Keon Broxton led off the frame with his fourth home run of the season to pull the Sky Sox even. Two batters later, Orlando Arcia tripled to deep right-centered field. Andy Wilkins followed with a RBI groundout to make it 2-1.
The Dodgers had a great chance to score in the fifth inning after a leadoff double by Tabata, but he did not advance past second base.
The Sky Sox added a run in the eighth inning. Broxton drew a leadoff walk and stole second base. He advanced to third on a groundout and later scored on a RBI single by Arcia.
Making his first appearance of the season, OKC starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger went four innings and allowed two runs and three hits. He notched three strikeouts with no walks, and threw just 46 pitches, including 30 strikes. Bolsinger has been on the Los Angeles' Dodgers Disabled List since sustaining a left oblique strain during spring training. He joined OKC on a rehab assignment Saturday.
The Dodgers look to build off Saturday's comeback win when they face the Sky Sox at 2:35 p.m. Central time Sunday afternoon. Live coverage begins 15 minutes before the first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free iHeartRadio mobile app.