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Nelson, Sox Bullpen Steal 5-3 Win from River Cats

June 1, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sky Sox took full advantage of their limited opportunities in Monday's matinee matchup with the Sacramento River Cats, earning a series-split in their 5-3 win before a crowd of 2,194 at Security Service Field.

With Colorado Springs' originally scheduled starter Tyler Cravy getting the call up to the big club on Sunday night, reliable reliever Tim Dillard would get the spot start for the Sox. The side-winding righty would provide his squad a serviceable four inning performance, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two. Dillard's composure would get the veteran out of trouble on numerous occasions, however, he could not escape the outing without falling victim to one big blow.

Casey McGehee would come to the plate in the top of the second with two on and two-out, taking his former Brewers teammate's offering an estimated 390 feet over the left field fence for his second long ball in as many days. The round-tripper gave the River Cats an early 3-0 lead and the Sky Sox crowd an uneasy feeling.

Dillard would settle down and keep Sacramento off the board in his final two frames before turning the ball over to an exceptional bullpen in the fifth that would continue the trend.

The Sky Sox offense would come alive for one inning, notching three of their four total base hits in the home fourth as the lineup piled on five runs to take the lead for good. After River Cats starter Juan Gutierrez tossed three scoreless to open the ballgame, Pete Orr and Shane Peterson would open the fourth against right-hander Curtis Partch (1-1, 3.20) with back-to-back singles before a Nevin Ashley fielder's choice groundball to third allowed Orr to score, beating McGehee's throw to home to give the Sox their first run.

Now with runners on the corners and just one out, Logan Schafer would help the Sox cut their deficit to one, reaching on a throwing error by first baseman Adam Duvall that also allowed Peterson to scurry home from third. Partch came back to strikeout Yadiel Rivera in the next at-bat before walking Donnie Murphy to load the bases. Manager Rick Sweet would call upon fan-favorite Chris Nelson to pinch-hit for Dillard with the bases loaded, two-out and his team trailing by one. Known for his flare for the dramatic, Nelson would not disappoint as he cleared the bases with a line drive double down the right field line to give the Sox their first lead of the ballgame. Matt Long's groundout in the next at-bat ended Colorado Springs' fourth inning offensive outburst , but not before the home team took a 5-3 lead that would not be relinquished. After allowing three hits and a walk while striking out two, Partch was charged with just one earned run in the five-run frame en route to the hard-luck loss.

Left-hander Jed Bradley (2-3, 9.13) and righties Ariel Pena and Rob Wooten would finish out the ballgame for the Sky Sox, tossing a combined five scoreless innings in relief of Dillard. Lead by Bradley's 2.1 inning performance, the trio allowed just three hits without issuing a walk while striking out two.

The Sox offense would also be shut down for the remainder of the game as Sacramento's righty/lefty combination of Cory Gearrin and Steven Okert allowed just one base runner (an Ariel Pena walk in the home seventh) with five Sox batters going down on strikes over the game's final four frames.

Wooten took over on the mound in the top of the ninth for Colorado Springs, nailing down his first save of the season to secure a 5-3 win and series-split in Sacramento's lone visit of the 2015 season.

The Sky Sox move to 20-30 despite being outhit 8-4 with nine strikeout victims in the ballgame, stealing a victory from the now 23-29 River Cats thanks to superior fundamental play.

The Sox welcome MLB.com's #1 prospect Carlos Correa and the Fresno Grizzlies to Colorado Springs for the first of a four-game set on Tuesday night. Taylor Jungmann (2-2, 6.49) will look to make it two straight for the Sox as he faces off with Grizzlies left-hander Luis Cruz (1-2, 4.76) at Security Service Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM MDT.



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 1, 2015


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