Dodgers Break Through, Win First In OKC

Home runs from Kiké Hernandez and Austin Barnes in the first inning propelled the Oklahoma City Dodgers to a 6-5 win – their first in team history – against the Round Rock Express Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Express took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning before Hernandez belted a two-run homer and Barnes added a three-run shot in the bottom of the frame in front of a crowd of 7,527.

Round Rock chipped away at Oklahoma City's lead, but the Dodgers hung on to even their record at 1-1.

Starting pitcher Carlos Frias (1-0) earned his first win of the season, allowing three runs, eight hits and striking out five over 5.1 innings. Hernandez and first baseman O'Koyea Dickson each had two hits for the OKC Dodgers.

The Express took the first lead of the night. Jared Hoying led off the game with a triple and scored on a groundout by Michael Choice for a 1-0 lead.

Shortstop Hernandez hit a two-run homer into the Dodgers' bullpen in left-center field to tally the first runs, and homer, in team history. Four batters later, catcher Barnes ricocheted a three-run shot off the LED board in left field to put Oklahoma City ahead, 5-1.

A solo home run from the Express' Thomas Field in the top of the third inning, a RBI single from Tomas Telis in the sixth, and a RBI single from Ed Lucas in the eighth cut the OKC Dodgers' lead to 5-4.

A RBI single from right fielder Scott Schebler in the bottom of the eighth inning gave the Dodgers a two-run lead before Choice's two-out RBI double in the top of the ninth brought the Express within one run.

Round Rock starting pitcher Luke Jackson was charged with the loss, allowing five runs on five hits, issuing three walks and striking out two over 4.0 innings.

The OKC Dodgers continue their season-opening homestand with a 7:05 p.m. game Saturday against the Express at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The four-game series is tied, 1-1.