NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Big First Inning Goes Sox Way in 5-3 Win

August 31, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sky Sox and Omaha Storm Chasers battled their way to a 4-3 ballgame after just one inning of play in Colorado Springs' eventual 5-3 series-opening win before a crowd of 2,179 at Security Service Field on Monday night.

The Storm Chasers jumped out to a quick three-run lead in the first frame of the contest against Sox starter Ariel Pena (2-2, 4.14). Omaha would collect a walk and four base knocks in the inning as Brett Eibner and Casey Kotchman combined for three RBIs. The right-hander settled down however, keeping the visiting squad off the board for the rest of his six-inning outing. He allowed six hit and two walks while striking out five in the quality start.

Pena would earn the win with the help of a huge pick-up by his offense in the very next frame. The Sox lineup struck back with four runs of their own in the home first on the strength of five straight hits to open the frame and a two-out lead-changing RBI single by Michael Reed. Luis Sardinas and Juan Centeno also collected RBI singles with Matt Clark's run-scoring double coming in between against Omaha right-hander J.C. Sulbaran (3-2, 5.54), giving Colorado Springs an early 4-3 lead after a seven-run first inning. The Storm Chasers starter allowed one more runs on a mammoth 463 foot solo blast by Matt Clark in the home fifth. Sulbaran allowed five total runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out one in five innings of work.

Former standout reliever and 2009 World Series Champion Joba Chamberlain tossed a scoreless sixth inning to keep the Omaha deficit at two runs after six innings of play.

Brandon Kintzler and Preston Guilmet combined for two shutout frames in relief of Pena to preserve the 5-3 lead with Storm Chasers southpaw Troy Patton doing his part for his team with two scoreless relief innings of his own.

Colorado Springs called upon closer Jaye Chapman (S, 15) to close out the 5-3 contest in the Omaha ninth. The right-hander did just that, walking one and striking out two in a tidy inning to secure the win for the Sky Sox. With the win, the Sox improve to 59-77 while dropping the Storm Chasers to 77-60 on the season with seven games left to play in 2015.

The Sox look to make it two straight against the defending back-to-back PCL champions in game two of this four-game set on Tuesday night. Zach Davies (1-2, 5.00) is set to take the ball for Colorado Springs against left-hander Casey Coleman (5-3, 4.54) and the Storm Chasers with first pitch slated for 6:35 PM MDT at Security Service Field.

• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...

Pacific Coast League Stories from August 31, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Colorado Springs Sky Sox Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central