OKC DODGERS JOURNAL Dodgers stumble against Salt Lake

Oklahoma City’s return from a West Coast trip was a downer.

The Dodgers’ offense struggled to get much going outside of a tworun error in a 4-3 loss to Salt Lake on Wednesday night in front of 4,282 fans at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Salt Lake rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the final eight innings to steal the victory from OKC, one of minor league’s best teams at home. OKC entered the night with the best home winning percentage in all of Minor League Baseball.

But Salt Lake put a dent in that.

The Bees responded to OKC’s three-run first by slowly chipping away at the two-run deficit.

Dustin Ackley drove in a run with a groundout in the third. Rymer Liriano scored in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Sherman Johnson.

With the game tied in the ninth, Johnson tripled with one out. He then scored when Francisco Aria hit a grounder to drawnin shortstop Angelo Mora, who bounced the throw to home plate as Johnson slid in head first.

OKC’s Kyle Garlick walked to open the ninth and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Pinch-runner Henry Ramos advanced to third on a groundout by Rob Segedin, but was stranded to end the game.

The Dodgers scored three runs in the first to take a 3-1 lead, aided by a throwing error by left fielder Liriano that allowed two runs to score. Edwin Rios also had an RBI groundout.

OKC had just five hits on the night.

Dodgers, Kimray to benefit foster care, family service groups

The Dodgers and oil and gas production equipment manufacturer Kimray, Inc., have partnered to benefit local foster children and family service organizations.

Three Kimray Nights will take place during the season, beginning Saturday. They allow foster care and family service organizations to bring children and families to the game.

Individuals from Sunbeam Family Services will attend Saturday’s game. Lilyfield will attend Saturday, July 7, and FaithWorks of the Inner City will participate Saturday, Aug. 18.

During each game, fans will have the option to add $1 to each total at concession stands and the team store to donate to that night’s organization. The Dodgers will match up to $500.

Calhoun began rehab

Salt Lake brought in some big names from Eric Young Jr. to Dustin Ackley. But it also got a boost when Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun began a rehab assignment as he recovers from an oblique strain.

Calhoun had been off to a rough start before the injury with a .145 average, but it didn’t show in his first at-bat. He crushed a solo home run on the Devon Energy Deck in right field to lead off the game against Brock Stewart.

Up next

The Dodgers and Bees continue their threegame series at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. OKC sends righthander Tyler Pill (1-1) to the mound against righthander Felix Pena (1-2).

JACOB UNRUH, STAFF WRITER