Dodgers Start Series in Omaha with 4-2 Win

Papillion, Neb. - The Oklahoma City Dodgers got off to a bumpy start but got better as the game moved along during a 4-2 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers Saturday night at Werner Park.
The Dodgers (17-30) overcame an early two-run deficit and had to circumvent several early scoring opportunities by the Storm Chasers to win the first game of a six-game series over five days. Omaha had eight of the first 11 batters reach base between the first and second innings, but the Dodgers limited them to two runs thanks to a double play and two outs on the basepaths.
 
Omaha (21-28) took the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Storm Chasers loaded the bases with none out, and after back-to-back strikeouts, Humberto Arteaga hit a two-run single, giving Omaha a 2-0 advantage. 
The Dodgers got on the board in the next inning, drawing four walks in the frame, including three straight with two outs. Edwin Ríos took the final walk to score a run, but OKC ended up leaving the bases loaded to end the inning and remain down by one.
The Storm Chasers did the same in the fourth inning. With the bases full and two outs, Rob Zastryzny got Erick Mejia to ground into a force out at third base and avert the threat.
Still down by one run in the fifth inning, the Dodgers jumped in front with one swing by Shane Peterson. Following a single by Will Smith, Peterson smoked a home run an estimated 431 feet past the grass berm in right field for his second homer of the season.
In addition to his homer that put the Dodgers in the lead for good, Peterson also drew a walk and picked up two outfield assists Saturday night.
Omaha threatened to pull into a tie in both the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, they put runners at the corners with two outs, but Zastryzny ended his outing by striking out Andrew Susac.
In the sixth, the Storm Chasers had runners at the corners again and with just one out, but Justin Grimm struck out each of the next two batters to escape the jam.
The back-to-back strikeouts by Grimm started an impressive run by the Dodgers bullpen, as four relievers combined to retire 11 of the game's final 12 batters, with eight strikeouts. The only Storm Chaser to reach base during that time was on a fielding error by first baseman Cameron Perkins. In addition to Grimm, Jaime Schultz, Kevin Quackenbush and JT Chargois each worked a scoreless inning to take things to the finish line. Chargois retired the side in order with two strikeouts in the ninth inning to earn his third save.
The Dodgers added a run in the seventh inning on a sac fly by Daniel Castro. Earlier in the game, Castro doubled in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to a team-best 10 games.
Although the Dodgers were outhit, 10-9, the Storm Chasers did not collect an extra-base hit. Saturday marked the first time since April 28 the Dodgers held their opponent to less than three runs.
Zastryzny (2-2) battled his command throughout five innings but was able to curb the damage to two runs as he earned his second straight win over the Storm Chasers. He gave up eight hits and four walks to go along with six strikeouts.
Omaha starting pitcher Scott Blewett (2-5) took the loss after allowing three runs and six hits over five innings. He issued four walks and notched two strikeouts.
The Dodgers look for their first 2-0 series lead of the season when they meet the Storm Chasers at 7:05 p.m. Sunday. Live coverage begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps.