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The OKC Dodgers won a crazy game to advance to the PCL championship, while the Loons were victorious in the first game of their second-round series. The Raptors were eliminated after a tough loss
Player of the day
O`Koyea Dickson hit the game-winning, three-run homer on Sunday as part of his 2-for-4 day. Dickson also scored three runs and hit .400 over the five-game series.
MUST SEE: Here's O'Koyea Dickson's game-winning, three-run home run! #ITFDBOKC pic.twitter.com/MbHLMk4ZYN
— OKC Dodgers (@okc_dodgers) September 12, 2016
Triple-A Oklahoma City
In the winner-take-all game between the Dodgers and Sounds (A's), Oklahoma City came out on top with a wild 10-9 victory. In a game that saw four different lead changes, player of the day Dickson's three-run homer in the eighth proved to be the game winner.
The Dodgers started off strong with three early runs, but Nashville responded with four in the third to knock starter Lisalverto Bonilla from the game. OKC struck for four runs of their own in the fifth, only to see their lead turn into a 9 - 7 deficit after the sixth inning. That's how it stood until Dickson's huge homer.
Even after the scoring in the ninth the win wasn't guaranteed as the Sounds loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth with one out. However closer Jacob Rhame was able to induce a couple of popups to end the game to complete his two-inning save.
In addition to Dickson's heroics, Chris Taylor also had a big game as he reached base three times and drove in a pair. Micah Johnson was 3-for-5, while Corey Brown and Drew Maggi had a couple of hits each.
The Dodgers will face El Paso (Padres) in the best-of-five PCL Championship starting Tuesday. The Chihuahuas will host the first two games before OKC returns home for the remaining games.
Class-A Great Lakes
The Loons used a three-run seventh inning to take Game 1 of the Midwest League East Division Championship, defeating the Whitecaps (Tigers) 4 -1. After collecting just two hits over the first six frames, Logan Landon and Jake Henson started the seventh with singles. A walk to Darien Tubbs loaded the bases, then two outs later Saige Jenco knocked in a pair. Brendon Davis followed that up with an RBI single of his own to finish the scoring in a day where the offense didn't even collect an extra-base hit.
On the mound starter Caleb Ferguson was solid as he allowed just six hits and one run over five innings. Ivan Vieitez picked up the win in relief with three shutout frames, then Shea Spitzbarth recorded the save after striking out the side in the ninth.
Pioneer - Ogden
The Raptors were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday after losing to the Owlz (Angels) 8-7 in 11 innings. It was a back and forth affair and a heart-breaking defeat for Ogden as they held the lead late twice, only to see it slip away both times.
In the top of the eighth the Raptors took a 6-5 lead on a triple by Brandon Montgomery and a RBI single by Cody Thomas, but reliever Vinny Santarsiero gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth to blow the save. Then in the top of the 11th Moises Perez hit his second homer of the day to give Ogden the one-run advantage, but this time it was bullpen arm Chris Mathewson who permitted a two-run walk-off double on a catchable ball.
Ogden starter Zac Grotz gave up nine hits and five runs over five frames. Perez not only connected on a pair of homers, but he singled, doubled, and scored three runs during his 4-for-5 night.
Sunday Scores
Great Lakes 4, West Michigan 1
Monday Schedule
3:35 p.m. PT - Great Lakes (TBD) at West Michigan (Sandy Baez)
Game 2 in best-of-3 Midwest League East Division Championship