Dodgers Win Series with 7-1 Victory over Round Rock

ROUND ROCK, Texas - The good news for the Round Rock Express (30-27) is that the Oklahoma City Dodgers (29-27) head out of town this evening with no plans to return in 2016. The Dodgers defeated the Express Tuesday night 7-1 to post a 7-1 record in the season series at Dell Diamond.

Round Rock RHP Kyle Lohse (2-2, 5.86) suffered his second straight loss after surrendering three runs on a total of six hits over the span of six innings on the bump. The 15-year MLB veteran notched six strikeouts as compared to just one walk. OKC reliever RHP Carlos Frias (1-2, 5.68) picked up the win after six dominant relief innings in which he allowed only one run on four hits while striking out four.

For the seventh time in eight games against Oklahoma City this season, the Dodgers jumped out to a first inning lead. SS Charlie Culberson and 2B Micah Johnson each recorded singles before 1B Zach Walters smoked a no-doubter home run over the wall in right field to give the visitors a 3-0 lead before the Express could even record an out. DH O'Koyea Dickson singled before Lohse recovered to retire the next three hitters in order to end the frame.

Oklahoma City starter RHP Jose De Leon was perfect in his first rehab start since being activated off the disabled list. The righty needed just 37 pitches to retire the first nine Round Rock batters in a row before hitting his predetermined innings limit. De Leon made the most of his three frames, striking out six E-Train batters.

C Robinson Chirinos ended OKC's short-lived perfect game bid with a two-out single in the fourth inning. In the next frame, LF Justin Ruggiano ended the Dodgers' shutout bid with a solo home run to open the fifth. The Round Rock bats then fell silent as the team recorded just two baserunners - singles courtesy of 2B Doug Bernier and SS Hanser Alberto - in the final 16 plate appearances of the game.

Oklahoma City blew the game open in the ninth inning as RF James Ramsey smacked a leadoff double into center field off Round Rock reliever RHP Anthony Carter. Ramsey moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt courtesy of CF Rico Noel. In the next at-bat, Culberson chopped a grounder to 1B Ike Davis, who elected to throw home in an attempt to gun down Ramsey. The speedy right fielder beat the throw, sliding safely past a diving Chirinos to score the run. A Johnson groundout then sent Murphy home from third to give OKC another insurance run. In the next at-bat, Walters provided the proverbial nail in the coffin for the Express with a two-run shot that sailed over the wall in right field. His second home run of the evening gave the Dodgers a 7-1 lead that held to be the final margin of victory.

Round Rock now hits the road looking to continue their success away from home. After a league-wide off-day on Wednesday, the Express will open a four-game set against the Iowa Cubs on Thursday evening. RHP Nick Martinez (5-4, 4.45) is scheduled to get the start for Round Rock while Iowa plans to counter with LHP Rob Zastryzny (3-2, 4.13). First pitch at Principal Park in Des Moines is slated for 7:08 p.m.

Following the brief four-game road trip, the E-Train will return home to host the New Orleans Zephyrs on Monday, June 13.

Single game tickets are available along with season ticket packages and group discounts. For more information on the Express, visit www.RoundRockExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter!