Chihuahuas Nip Dodgers For Series Split

The El Paso Chihuahuas scored four runs in the fourth inning, and the big rally was enough to get by Oklahoma City, 4-2, Sunday afternoon at Southwest University Park.

The Dodgers (81-54) split their four-game series with the Chihuahuas (72-63) and finished their eight-game road trip with a 4-4 record. Both the Iowa Cubs and Omaha Storm Chasers won Sunday afternoon, cutting the Dodgers’ first-place lead to four games over Iowa and 4.5 games over Omaha with nine games remaining. The Dodgers and I-Cubs begin a crucial five-game series Monday night in Oklahoma City.

The Dodgers got off to a quick start, scoring two runs in the first inning. Ronny Torreyes led off the game with a triple, and Corey Seager followed with a RBI single. Later in the inning with two outs, Kyle Jensen sent a RBI single to center field to make it 2-0.

El Paso took the lead for good with a big four-run fourth inning, batting around to go in front, 4-2. With a runner at second and none out, Hector Gomez singled to shallow left-center field. O’Koyea Dickson committed a fielding error on the play, allowing Alex Dickerson to score and Gomez to advance to second base. Cody Decker came up next and tied the game with a RBI single.

Later in the inning with two runners on and two out, Jake Goebbert doubled off the wall in left field to break the tie and put the Chihuahuas ahead.

After the strong first inning, the Dodgers offense was silent the rest of the game. OKC was held scoreless over the final eight innings and did not record a hit after the fifth inning, nor did the Dodgers put a runner in scoring position after the fourth inning.

Like the Dodgers, the El Paso offense was kept in check after their big inning. The OKC bullpen threw 4.1 scoreless innings and allowed three hits to keep the Dodgers in the game. The Chihuahuas only put one runner in scoring position after the fourth inning.

El Paso starting pitcher Casey Kelly settled in after a bumpy first inning. Kelly (1-1) went six innings, and over his final five frames, he held the Dodgers to no runs and three hits. He finished with five strikeouts and no walks.

The Chihuahuas bullpen finished off the Dodgers by throwing three scoreless and hitless innings. Jon Edwards wrapped up the win for El Paso in the ninth inning with his league-leading 22nd save.

Making his second consecutive start, David Huff tossed three scoreless innings before getting bumped from the game in the fourth inning. Huff (5-2) allowed a season-high four runs on seven hits, with five strikeouts and one walk.

Entering Sunday’s game, opponents had gone just 1-for-18 all season against Huff with runners in scoring position with two outs. The Chihuahuas went 2-for-3 in that scenario, with Goebbert’s double being the biggest hit of the game.

The Dodgers return home to Oklahoma City Monday and finish the season with nine games. They’ll begin a five-game series against the Iowa Cubs Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. and tickets are available by calling (405) 218-1000, through okcdodgers.com, or at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark box office.

Live coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on AM 1340 “The Game”, 1340thegame.com, or through the iHeartRadio mobile app.