Sports stats



Moore Homers Twice in Memphis to Crack Pitcher's Duel

May 25, 2018 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Coming off a road series in Nashville that saw Colorado Springs go 1-3 against the Sounds, the Sky Sox won game one of their five-game series in Memphis against the Redbirds 3-1, with all three runs coming off the bat of Dylan Moore who hit two homers in the pitcher's duel.

The first inning saw baserunners from both teams, but no runs for either and only one hit in total. In the top of the first the Sky Sox recorded two quick outs, followed by a five-pitch walk and a four-pitch walk to put two on, before a lineout sent the game into the bottom of the first. Max Schrock hit a one-out single off of Sky Sox starter Bubba Derby for the first hit of the game, but a double play ended the first frame without further event.

In the bottom of the second, Carson Kelly lined a one-out double to put a runner in scoring position for the home team, coming home one at-bat later on a Wilfredo Tovar single to give Memphis a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the third frame Nate Orf popped out on the first pitch he saw for the first out of the inning, but two pitches later Dylan Moore hit a solo homer over the left field wall to tie the game at one run apiece.

The next three innings were all scoreless, as both Derby and Daniel Poncedeleon settled in for a pitcher's duel. Through six innings the two starters were essentially even, with Derby having given up one run on six hits with six strikeouts, whereas Poncedeleon had given up one run on three hits with six strikeouts.

Both managers went to the bullpen going into the seventh, with Aaron Brooks and Hector Mendoza both delivering scoreless seventh inning appearances for the Sky Sox and the Redbirds, respectively. Neither pitcher gave up a walk and both struck out one batter each.

In the top of the eighth inning Arturo Reyes came into the game to replace Mendoza on the mound for Memphis. Keon Broxton drew a walk off Reyes to start the inning, advancing to second on a Brett Phillips single. Tyrone Taylor laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners up 90 feet, and after Mendoza got Tyler Heineman to pop out for the second out of the inning, he was replaced on the mound by Sean Gilmartin. Gilmartin drew a pop out as well to keep it tied and send the game to the bottom of the inning. However, the Redbirds went three up and three down in the bottom of the eighth to send it to the ninth still tied at 1-1.

With two outs in the top of the inning and the Sky Sox down to their final out, Orf laid down a beautiful bunt single to keep the inning alive, advancing to second on a Memphis throwing error for the first error of the game. Moore then hit his second home run of the night over the left field wall to break the tie and give the Sky Sox a 3-1 lead. Brooks closed out the bottom of the ninth for Colorado Springs to pick up the win and give the Sky Sox a 3-1 victory in the opening game of the series.

The Sky Sox head into the second of five games against the Memphis Redbirds tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 5:35 p.m. at AutoZone Park. The Sky Sox head back home for a five-game homestand beginning May 30 against the Iowa Cubs. For all information on Sky Sox, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and visit the team's website at www.skysox.com.

NOTES

Tomorrow's Expectation: In the second game of the five-game set against the Memphis Redbirds, the Sky Sox are sending right-hander Paolo Espino to the mound to face righty Dakota Hudson for the Redbirds.

Please Sir, May I Have Some Moore: Dylan Moore hit not one but two homers in Friday night's win over the Memphis Redbirds, with all three of the Sky Sox runs coming off of his bat. It was the first multi-HR game for a Colorado Springs batter this season, with the last coming via the bat of Brett Phillips, on 8/19/2017 versus the Oklahoma City Dodgers.

Taking On Memphis: In five games played against the Redbirds so far this season, the Sky Sox are 2-3 after having taken game one at home 10-5 on May 17 but dropping the next three with a run differential of 8-28, and then winning game one 3-1 Friday night. In Poncedeleon's last outing in game three at Security Service Field, the righty lasted five innings while allowing three runs on eight hits, striking out 10. Friday night Poncedeleon pitched six innings, giving up one run on three hits with six strikeouts, earning a no-decision in the eventual loss.

Welcome Back, Peralta: Right-hander Freddy Peralta, who was optioned on May 21 from Milwaukee where the 21-year-old made Brewers rookie history in his MLB debut in Denver, was phenomenal Thursday night in Nashville. Peralta tossed five scoreless innings while allowing just three singles and striking out eight Sounds' batters. With his sixth win, he is tied for first place in the Pacific Coast League in the category.

Six Snapped: After tallying the most consecutive losses so far this season, and most since dropping eight straight in 2016, the Sky Sox broke the streak with a series finale shutout victory Thursday evening. The Sky Sox dropped five games in a row to Nashville before the win Thursday night. The Sky Sox now take a 6-5 season series advantage over the Sounds.

Third Shutout: The Sky Sox marked their third shutout Thursday night after 46 games played so far this season. The squad's first two shutouts game within the first 14 games of 2018. The first came on Opening Day in game two of the doubleheader against Omaha (4-0). The second came 12 games later on April 19 when Colorado Springs shutout New Orleans 3-0 at the Shrine.

Free Baseball: The Sky Sox marked their third extra-inning contest of the season on Wednesday night in Nashville. With the 10th inning loss, they are now 1-2 in extra-inning games in 2018.

On-Base Hacker: On Thursday night, Kyle Wren continued his on-base rhythm with another solo hit. Wren has only recorded three instances in 2018 where he did not get on base, and they have been all recorded in the month of May.

This Week's Preview: The Sky Sox are in midst of a nine-game stretch on the road. Colorado Springs started the trip going 1-3 in a four-game set against the Nashville Sounds and head to Memphis to play the Redbirds for five more games. The Sky Sox head back home for a five-game homestand beginning May 30 against the Iowa Cubs.

NEXT GAME: Saturday, May 26 @ Memphis Redbirds - 5:35 p.m. MDT @ AutoZone Park

RHP Paolo Espino (1-1, 4.15)-vs. RHP Dakota Hudson (5-1, 2.70)-| Broadcast on XTRA Sports 1300

Next Sky Sox Home Game: May 30 vs. Iowa Cubs @ Security Service Field

COS TOP PERFORMERS

- Bubba Derby (6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 6 SO)

- Aaron Brooks (W, 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 SO)

- Dylan Moore (2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI)

  MEM TOP PERFORMERS

- Daniel Poncedeleon (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 SO)

- Carson Kelly (3-for-3, 2B, 1 R)

- Wilfredo Tovar (1-for-4, 1 RBI)

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

Pacific Coast League Stories from May 25, 2018


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