Ben Paulsen's Walk-Off HR Gives Sky Sox 7-5 Victory in 12

Published on May 26, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


In the twelfth inning, first baseman Ben Paulsen belted a walk-off two-run home run to give the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (29-18), the 7-5 come from behind win over the Fresno Grizzlies (27-23) and their sixth walk-off win of the season.

Colorado Springs struck in the first inning when Tommy Manzella walked and was then driven in on a Matt McBride double. So far this year the Sky Sox have outscored their opponent 43-20 in the first inning and are now 8-0 at home when they score first.

The Grizzlies tied the game up in the second inning with an unearned run when Chris Dominquez doubled home Roger Kieschnick who reached earlier in the inning on an infield single and moved into scoring position on a throwing error by Ryan Wheeler. In the bottom of the inning, starting pitcher Roman Colon suffered a lower right leg injury as he was running out a bunt attempt. The righty has pitched in 5.2 innings this year and has now allowed seven runs, but zero earned. Colon was replaced in the third by Cory Riordan who hurled two scoreless innings before allowing a RBI double to Grizzlies' starting pitcher Mitch Lively to put Fresno up 2-1. In addition to helping his own cause, Lively shutdown the Sox' offense for five innings, only allowing the run in the first inning.

Fresno remained up 2-1, until the bottom of the seventh. Catcher Lars Davis led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Manny Corpas. Corey Dickerson then singled Davis home to tie the game up.

With the score 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth the Sky Sox stranded runners on second and third to send the game to extras. Sky Sox reliever Logan Kensing took the mound in the top of the inning in hopes of extending his scoreless streak to 13 innings. The streak ended when Juan Perez smacked a two-run shot to take a 4-2 lead. They extended their lead to three when Gary Brown reached on a single, advanced to second on a ground out and then scored all the way from second on a wild pitch.

Up by three the Grizzlies sent in closer Heath Hembree in an attempt to earn his 14th save of the season. Ryan Wheeler and Matt McBride started the inning off with back-to-back singles and after a Tyler Colvin strikeout, Ben Paulsen hit an RBI single to bring the team within two. Charlie Culberson then hit a long fly out to right and both runners tagged and moved up to put the tying run into scoring position. Davis then drove them home on a two-RBI single up the middle. Hembree's blown save was the second against the Sky Sox this season. His last blown save was on May 3, when Greg Golson hit a homer to send the game into extra innings.

Both teams were unable to scratch across any runs in the eleventh and Mike McClendon (W, 2-2) pitched his second straight scoreless inning to bring up the Sky Sox' five, six and seven hitters in the 12th. Colvin extended his hit streak to seven when he led off the inning with a single. Paulsen then blasted his sixth dinger of the year off of right-hander Jake Dunnington (L, 0-1), to give the Sky Sox their 29th win of the season.

Colorado Springs aims to win its 30th game of the year and take a commanding 3-1 series lead tomorrow when the PCL league leader in wins, Drew Pomeranz (6-1, 3.58) faces off against Chris Heston (5-3, 5.59). The matinee is set to begin at 1:35 p.m. on 50 Cent Hot Dog Day at Security Service Field.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 26, 2013


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.

OurSports Central