Chihuahuas beat OKC in game one of PCL championship series

EL PASO, Texas – The El Paso Chihuahuas trailed by five runs earlyTuesdaybefore coming back to beat Oklahoma City 7-5 in Game 1 of the Pacific Coast League Championship series. The Chihuahuas lead the best-of-five series one game to none.

Oklahoma City had a 5-0 lead in the second inning after five hits against El Paso starter Walker Lockett, including a two-run double by former San Diego Padre Will Venable. The Chihuahuas got within one via a four-run third, with an RBI single from Lockett, his first professional hit, and a three-run double by Carlos Asuaje.

Then there were four straight scoreless innings on both sides before El Paso sent eight batters to the plate in a three-run eighth, with all three runs coming on plays at the plate. Diego Goris had an RBI single to tie the game, Nick Noonan a go-ahead sacrifice fly and then Goris scored an insurance run on a wild pitch. Phil Maton pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure his second postseason save.

Goris now has six RBIs in five postseason games. El Paso’s bullpen held Oklahoma City without a run or a hitTuesdayand has allowed only two runs in five playoff games.

Gameday Box Score:http://www.milb.com/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_09_13_okcaaa_elpaaa_1&mode=gameday

Team Records:Oklahoma City (0-1), El Paso (1-0)

Next Game:Wednesdayat 6:35 p.m. Pacific Coast League Championship Series at Southwest University Park. Oklahoma City RHP Chase De Jong (0-0, 6.35) vs. El Paso LHP Frank Garces (0-0, 8.44). Game coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. on 600 ESPN El Paso andwww.epchihuahuas.com.