OKC Dodgers eliminated from PCL playoffs

Triple-A Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City Dodgers got knocked out of the playoffs after a 2-1 loss to the Round Rock Express (Rangers). The early exit by the Dodgers was a surprise as OKC posted the best regular season record in the PCL at 86-58. In fact, the 86 wins by Oklahoma City was the most by the franchise in the modern era as the last OKC team to win that many games was in 1965.

In terms of Friday's game, the Dodgers got shut down by Round Rock starter Phil Klein as he tossed seven shutout frames while punching out seven. OKC got their only run of the game in the eighth against reliever Will Lamb as Elliot Johnson connected on a RBI double, but they went down 1-2-3 in the ninth to end the game.

Ronald Torreyes had the only other extra base hit for the Dodgers as he also doubled, while Kyle Jensen had the only multi-hit game by going 2-for-3.

Dodger starter Eric Stults matched Klein with seven strikeouts of his own, but the two runs he allowed over five frames turned out to be the difference in the game. Ramon Troncoso followed with two perfect innings to keep his club in the game, then Adam Liberatore, who should be headed to LA soon, tossed a flawless eighth.

Friday box score

Round Rock 2, Oklahoma City 1

Saturday schedule

The Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are the only Dodger minor league affiliate left in the playoffs, and they will face the winner of Friday's High Desert Mavericks (Rangers) vs. Lancaster JetHawks (Astros) at home at 7:05 on Saturday in Game 1 of the California League South Division finals. High Desert leads 11-3 in the fifth inning at the time of this article.

The pitchers of Game 1 on Saturday night, a 7:05 p.m. PT start, are still TBD.