Sky Sox Walk off on Spilborghs Homer
August 23, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release
Ryan Spilborghs hit two home runs, including a walk-off three-run shot as the Colorado Springs Sky Sox defeated the Salt Lake Bees 9-7 in front of 2,376 fans at Security Service Field.
With the game tied in the tenth innings, a Jeff Baisley RBI single against reliever Jim Miller (8-5, 5.13) gave the Bees their first lead of the game at 7-6. In the bottom half of the inning Horacio Ramirez (3-2, 3.83) relieved and retired the first to Sky Sox batters. Down to their last out, the Sox refused to give in. Ryan Rohlinger tripled to right field and Jesus Merchan walked to keep the inning alive for Spilborghs who worked the count in his favor to 2-1 before sending a rocket over the left field wall and setting off a mob scene at home plate.
The home run was the second of the night for Spilborghs who also put the Sox up 1-0 in the first with a solo home run against Bees starter Trevor Bell. Since joining the Sox on a rehab assignment on Saturday, Spilborghs is 6-for-12 with two home runs, six RBI and three runs scored.
The Sox would tack on two more runs in the first on RBI singles from Jordan Pacheco and Matt Macri. Sox starter Edgar Gonzalez seemed to be cruising as he entered the fourth, having allowed two hits to that point. However, Gonzalez was tossed from the game by third base umpire Mark Buchanan for questioning a check swing and was relieved by Blake Johnson. Jeremy Moore greeted Johnson with a three-run blast to tie the game at 3-3.
In the fifth, Joe Mather would reclaim the lead for the Sox with a two-run home run. A Mather triple in the seventh gave the Sox a 6-4 lead and a the Sox looked to be on their way to an easy victory. However, the Bees would score twice in the eighth on RBI doubles by Moore and Efren Navarro to tie the game at 6-6 and sending the game to extra innings.
Miller picked up the win for the Sox despite allowing the go-ahead run in the tenth while the loss went to Ramirez. With the win the Sox moved a game ahead of the Bees in the Pacific Northern division standings and improved their record to 59-71. The Sox have now won 8-of-11 games against the Bees this season and will look to win the series tomorrow night as Joey Williamson takes the hill against Eric Junge. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM MT.
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