The Oklahoma City Dodgers and Tulsa Drillers kicked off their seasons on Thursday, April 9 for the first time as affiliates with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was therefore a night of firsts. It didn’t included an Adrian Gonzalez-type night with three home runs or a Jose De Leon night with 10 strikeouts in five innings. However, there were some significant firsts.

Oklahoma City Dodgers

The Dodgers lost their inaugural game 2-0 to the Round Rock Express but it was a well played game. Scott Baker, perhaps in preparation for a start with the parent Dodgers, started for the OKC Dodgers. He struck out the first three batters he faced on ten pitches and finished with six strikeouts in five innings while allowing only one run.

Left-hander David Huff became the first pitcher called upon to pitch in relief with the OKC Dodgers. He pitched three innings giving up three hits, one run and striking out four. He was followed by Josh Ravin who pitched a scoreless ninth inning while striking out two Round Rock hitters. On the evening 12 Express hitters took the long walk back to the dugout.

Left-hander David Huff, who pitched exceptionally for the Dodgers during spring training, struck out four in two innings of work in his OKC Dodgers debut on Thursday night. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Third baseman Buck Britton had the first ever hit for the OKC Dodgers with a third inning single. He was followed by Darnell Sweeney who stroked a line drive double to left field – the first OKC Dodgers extra base hit. Britton was held up at third base on the play so the evening did not produce a first run or run batted in.

Austin Barnes became the first OKC Dodger to have a multiple hit game with singles to left field and center field.

Since there was no save opportunity only speculation could swirl around the closer role with the Dodgers. That is, could the closer for the OKC franchise be left-hander Chris Reed who was finally converted to relief pitching or perhaps right-hander Ralston Cash. Perhaps we will know tonight when the Dodgers again entertain the Round Rock Express.

Alex Freedman was the play-by-play announcer for the Dodgers first game. Along with a quiet, pleasant demeanor he came well prepared with background information on all of the OKC Dodgers players as well as Round Rock participants.

Tulsa Drillers

The Drillers in their first game as a Dodger affiliate came away with a 10-4 win over the San Antonio Missions. Right-hander Chris Anderson started for the Dodgers and had his heater warmed up striking out six in five innings of work while giving up only four hits. He gave up two runs on a homer by San Antonio’s left fielder Yeison Asencio.

In 2014, Anderson posted a 7-7 record and 4.62 ERA with the Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Jeremy Horst was the first Tulsa reliever following Anderson and he proceeded to strike out the side in the sixth inning. He ran into trouble in the seventh inning but was bailed out by Chin-hui Tsao who struck out shortstop Trea Turner with the bases loaded. Blake Smith pitched a perfect ninth inning.

Shortstop Corey Seager had the first hit for the Drillers, a single to left field in the first inning. He doubled in the eighth inning and had three runs batted on the evening. Second baseman Brandon Dickson all had a two-hit game including a double and two runs batted in.

Catcher Ali Solis actually had the first Tulsa extra base hit of the season and the first run batted in with a solo home run in the second inning. He also contributed a run producing double in the fifth inning.

Brandon Dixon stole the first Driller base of the season with a swipe of third base in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Drillers turned two double plays, one on a line drive catch by Corey Seager.

Julio Urias starts for the Drillers tonight so the loyal fans in Tulsa will get their first look at the young left-hander who is one of the parent Dodgers top three prospects.