Dodgers Beat Zephyrs, Push Winning Streak To Five

Rob Segedin’s two-run double in the seventh inning broke a tie and sent the Oklahoma City Dodgers to a 5-3 win Sunday against the New Orleans Zephyrs at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Dodgers (58-42) extended their winning streak to five games and took a 3-0 lead in their series against the Zephyrs in front of a crowd of 5,750.

The Dodgers quickly took the first lead of the night.

Will Venable hit a two-run homer to center field for a 2-0 Dodgers advantage in the bottom of the first inning. The homer was Venable’s second of the season with the Dodgers as he extended his hitting streak to seven straight games. Venable has now hit safely in 10 of his first 11 games with Oklahoma City.

A RBI double by New Orleans’ Austin Nola in the second inning cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 2-1.

Dee Gordon, who is on a Major League rehab assignment with the Zephyrs, tripled on a line drive to center field in the third inning. Corey Brown fielded the ball, then threw to shortstop Brandon Hicks, whose throw toward third base hit Gordon in the back. Gordon then scored on the play to tie the game, 2-2, in the third inning.

Back-to-back doubles by Carlos Corporan and Austin Nola in the fourth inning put the Zephyrs in front, 3-2.

The Zephyrs (46-53) loaded the bases in the top of the sixth inning, but Trevor Oaks got Kenny Wilson to strike to end the inning.

In the sixth inning, Shawn Zarraga hit a fly ball to center field, dropped by center fielder Wilson for an error. Zach Walters tried to score from second base on the play, but was thrown out at the plate.

Hicks followed with a RBI single to knot the game, 3-3.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Zephyrs pitcher Cody Ege hit Drew Maggi with a pitch. Venable then singled and Segedin followed with a two-run double to give the Dodgers a 5-3 advantage as Segedin extended his hitting streak to nine games.

The Zephyrs threatened to cut into the Dodgers’ lead in the top of the eighth inning. With two runners on and none out, New Orleans’ Pedro Ciriaco grounded into a double play. Rob Segedin fielded the ball and tagged first base, then Xavier Scruggs was put out at home to preserve the Dodgers’ lead. Corporan then struck out for the final out of the inning.

Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Oaks allowed three runs and nine hits over 6.0 innings. He walked one and struck out four. Relievers Randy Choate, Matt West and Jacob Rhame held the Zephyrs scoreless over the final three frames, with West (2-0) earning the win and Rhame recording his seventh save of the season.

Reliever Ege (4-3) was charged with the loss for New Orleans.

The Dodgers won a sixth straight home game and for the ninth time in their last 10 home games despite being outhit by the Zephyrs, 11-8.

The Dodgers try for a series sweep when they close out their series against the New Orleans Zephyrs at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.