Dodgers rally with four runs in ninth to win home opener
Oklahoma City finally played a nine-inning game, and it wasn’t without drama.
The Dodgers rallied for four runs in the ninth to stun Round Rock 8-7 and win the home opener in front of 5,614 fans Tuesday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Right fielder Travis Taijeron ended the game with a liner to left with two outs, igniting a celebration on the field.
OKC (3-1) had trailed 7-4 entering the inning, but Round Rock closer Jose Leclerc struggled to throw strikes. He walked four straight batters before he was pulled from the game, having thrown six strikes in 22 pitches.
OKC left fielder Alex Verdugo greeted R.J. Alvarez with a game-tying single on the first pitch.
It erased a night in which Round Rock homered three times, including a fifth-inning grand slam by Christian Lopes. Former Dodger Willie Calhoun and catcher Cameron Rupp also homered.
OKC got a homer from Max Muncy.
The game was the first nine-inning game for OKC, which played seven, eight and 11 innings in Iowa.
Reliever Hudson added to roster
Veteran reliever Daniel Hudson's whirlwind spring continued Tuesday.
He was added to the Oklahoma City Dodgers roster before Tuesday’s home opener.
Hudson, 38, started the spring with the Pittsburgh Pirates before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. He did not make the roster and was released on March 28. The Dodgers signed him April 2 to a minor league contract with the Rays paying his $5.5 million salary.
“I’m excited to play,” Hudson said. “I’m fortunate enough the Dodgers signed me. I just want to play.”
Last year, Hudson was 2-7 with a 4.38 ERA in 71 appearances for the Pirates. He had two Tommy John surgeries in 2012 and 2013, a road block in a strong career with Arizona.
Now, he’s trying to focus on regaining the dominant pre-surgery form.
“I’m trying to work on being more solid and consistent with my bottom half, and then just trying to get better, man,” Hudson said.
Up next
Dodgers top prospect Walker Buehler makes his second start of the season at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.
Buehler, 23, started opening day in Iowa and pitched four strong innings. He allowed one run on three hits and a walk. He struck out five.
“I thought it was really good,” OKC manager Bill Haselman said. “He has such good stuff. He’s throwing his fastball really well downhill and he threw good curveballs.”
Round Rock has not announced a starting pitcher.
Extra bases
Oklahoma City native and former Dodger Don Demeter threw out the ceremonial first pitch. … Haselman picked up career win No. 500 as a minor league manager in Iowa. “It’s nice,” Haselman said, adding he was initially unaware of the feat.