Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers won the 2023 Pacific Coast League Championship Series, besting the Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers affiliate) by sweeping them in two games. Oklahoma City captured the title behind a 5-2 victory on Wednesday.
The matchup included contributions from multiple players who made their MLB debuts with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including an impressive outing from Gavin Stone.
Stone, who has struggled at times when up with the Dodgers, struck out 10 batters in 6.1 innings, allowing only two runs. He started the game by giving up a single and issuing two walks, but worked his way out of the bases-loaded jam and proceeded to retire nine straight batters in a row.
Stone went 7-4 for OKC this season, posting a 4.74 ERA and collecting 120 strikeouts in 100.2 innings pitched.
The final out.
One for the books. pic.twitter.com/10Cj0kEit1
— Oklahoma City Dodgers (@okc_dodgers) September 28, 2023
It’s true, all we really do is win 👊😤 pic.twitter.com/UFBe4yiKAk
— Oklahoma City Dodgers (@okc_dodgers) September 28, 2023
In the second inning, Jonny DeLuca hit a two-run home run. He played 24 games for the Dodgers, batting .262/.311/.429 with one double, two home runs and six RBI. At Triple-A, he hit .306/.397/.548 with 13 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 35 RBI.
Dodgers top-hitting prospect Michael Busch smacked a three-run home run in the fifth inning to break the game open, and that was all the offense they would need. Busch, who struggled in 27 games at the Major League level, had an incredible season in Triple-A.
In 98 games, he hit 27 home runs while slashing .323/.431/.618.
Wander Suero, the former Washington Nationals pitcher who also made his Dodgers debut this season, recorded the final outs of the ninth inning to claim the title.
The victory on marked the first time the Oklahoma City franchise has won the championship since 1996 when they were a Rangers affiliate called the 89ers. The league was called the American Association at the time. The 2023 PCL title is the first time Oklahoma City has won the championship as a Dodgers Minor League affiliate.
What’s next for Oklahoma City Dodgers
Oklahoma City will next face the International League winners in a one-game Triple-A championship on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The International League championship is being played on Thursday with the Durham Bulls facing off against the Norfolk Tides.
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