OKC opens in Iowa

The Oklahoma City Dodgers began the 2018 baseball season Thursday with a doubleheader against the Iowa Cubs.

Oklahoma City opened the season with a 2-1 road victory over Iowa Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader in Des Moines, Iowa.

Iowa avoided the sweep in the nightcap by scoring a run in the bottom of the eighth for a 3-2 extra innings win.

Brian Schlitter picked up the victory in relief in game one for the Dodgers while Joe Broussard got the save in the seven-inning game. Starting pitcher Walker Buehler delivered four solid innings, allowing one run and three hits, with one walk and five strikeouts.

Max Muncy hit a solo homer in the fifth for the Dodgers. Rocky Gale had an RBI single in the fourth, scoring Jake Peter who reached on a double.

In the second game, the Dodgers scored both of their runs in the sixth inning to tie the game 2-2. Alex Verdugo had a one-out single and scored on a double by Travis Taijeron. Breyvic Valera delivered a two-out RBI single to score Taijeron and tie the game.

With the new extra innings rule in place, both teams began the eighth inning with a runner at second base. The Dodgers did not convert in the top of the inning, keeping the game tied.

Iowa did not miss its chance to score. After the runner was placed at second base, Mark Zagunis and Efren Navarro each followed with singles to end the game.

Friday's game between the Iowa Cubs and Oklahoma City was postponed because of expected frigid temperatures. The two clubs will resume the series on Saturday at 7:08 p.m. at Principal Park.