River Cats Rally in Eighth Inning to Defeat OKC

Sacramento River Cats – 2

Oklahoma City Dodgers – 1

Saturday, May 27, 2023 – Sutter Health Park – West Sacramento, Calif.

Game Summary: Tyler Fitzgerald hit a key two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning to help send the Sacramento River Cats to a 2-1 win over the Oklahoma City Dodgers Saturday night at Sutter Health Park. The Dodgers (36-14) took an early lead with a RBI single from Drew Avans in the third inning but were kept off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. Starting pitcher Michael Grove kept Sacramento at bay, stranding all five runners he allowed on base while striking out seven over 5.2 scoreless innings. Sacramento (23-27) put two runners in scoring position with one out in the eighth inning, setting the stage for Fitzgerald’s double to deep right field. Jahmai Jones drew a walk with one out in the ninth inning, but he was thrown out trying to steal second base and Drew Avans struck out on the next pitch to end the game.

Of Note:

-Six of the Dodgers’ last seven games have been decided in the eighth inning or later, including four of the first five games in Sacramento. Ten of the last 13 games have been decided by one or two runs, including seven of the last nine, with six of the last eight games decided by one run…The Dodgers are now 14-5 in one-run games this season…For the second time in four games, the Dodgers lost when leading after seven innings and are now 23-3 in such situations.

-Even with the loss, the Dodgers are 36-14 through 50 games, giving the team its best record by two wins at the 50-game mark. The 2015 Dodgers went 34-16 through 50 games…The Dodgers are 14-3 over their last 17 games, with all three defeats by one run.

-Michael Grove made his second start on a Major League Rehab Assignment, going 5.2 scoreless innings with five hits, no walks and seven strikeouts. He threw 77 pitches, with 56 strikes. All five hits were singles, and although the leadoff batter reached four times, he held Sacramento 0-for-13 with runners on base.

-Jahmai Jones reached base in all four of his plate appearances with a double, single and two walks. Over his last seven games, Jones is 7-for-16 with four doubles and nine walks, reaching base in 17 of 27 plate appearances.

-Yonny Hernández extended his current hitting streak to nine games, going 1-for-3 with a single. During the streak, he is 11-for-31. It is tied for the longest hitting streak by any OKC player this season.

-The Dodgers were held to just one run for the first time since April 30 in Game 2 of doubleheader against Sacramento at home. OKC has scored only one run in four of 50 games this season, with three instances against the River Cats.

What’s Next: The Dodgers still have a chance to win their series when they face the River Cats at 3:05 p.m. CT Sunday at Sutter Health Park. 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.