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Heads Up Play By Ellis Halts Colorado Springs Comeback In 5-4 Las Vegas Win

July 6, 2008 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


Trailing 5-3 to open the final frame, Colorado Springs needed just two pitches from Las Vegas closer Mike Koplove to cut the lead in half. Kenny Perez took the reliever's first offering up the middle, and Cory Sullivan followed with a first-pitch, run-scoring double to the right-field gap. The Sky Sox wouldn't get any closer, though as A.J. Ellis caught Sullivan off-guard at second base. Ellis' strike to second base actually hit Sullivan, but the Sky Sox centerfielder was called out for interference, the first out of the inning. Koplove made quick work of the next two batters and walked away with his sixth save. And the 51s walked away with a 5-4 victory in front of 3,048 fans in Sunday's series finale at Security Service Field.

The 51s took an early lead, cashing in on a leadoff double from Jones with a two-out single by Ellis.

Terry Tiffee broke a 1-1 tie with a two-out blast in the sixth inning, his sixth home run of the season.

The 51s took the lead for good when Mitch Jones took a 1-0 offering from Kip Wells over the left-field fence. The 51s padded their lead later in the inning when John-Ford Griffin rocked a pinch-hit, two-run double to right field. That hit proved to be the decisive hit of the game for Las Vegas.

Kip Wells (0-2) lasted 6.2 innings before leaving the game following Griffin's double. He struck out six batters and walked none, but allowed five Las Vegas batters to cross the plate.

Justin Orenduff went five innings for the visitors, allowing one run before leaving with a 2-1 lead.

Brian Akin (1-0) earned the win despite giving up the lead on a Chris Frey sixth-inning single.

Adam Melhuse added his first home run of the season for the Sky Sox, an eighth-inning solo shot that brought the home team to within two runs of the lead.

The loss completed the first home-series loss for the Sky Sox since being swept by Portland from April 15-18, which spanned eight series.

The Sky Sox will travel to Sacramento Monday to begin a quick four-game road trip. Jason Hirsh (1-2, 4.93) will take the ball for Colorado Springs while Danny DiNardo (5-2, 4.40) gets the call for Sacramento. Scheduled start time is 8:05 MT.

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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.

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