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Ninth Inning Rally Gives Sky Sox 2-1 Win

June 6, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Colorado Springs Sky Sox rallied for two runs in the ninth inning to come from behind and defeat the New Orleans Zephyrs 2-1 on Monday night in front of 1,062 at Zephyr Park.

Pinch-hitter Garin Cecchini led off the top of the ninth with a walk off Zephyrs reliever Craig Breslow. After a ground out from Andy Wilkins that moved Cecchini to second, Manny Pina tied the game with a double to deep right field. A couple batters later with two outs, Michael Reed hit a fly ball down the right field line that fell for another double, this time scoring Pina with the go-ahead run for the Sky Sox.

But from the start of the game, it appeared that neither team would be able to score easily.

For the second straight day, Milwaukee Brewers rehabber Corey Knebel got the start on the mound for the Sky Sox. Like his first appearance, Knebel was strong. He pitched a scoreless inning and two thirds, retiring all five batters he faced in order with one strikeout. Drew Gagnon came in and got the final out in the second before the Sky Sox turned to scheduled starting pitcher Hiram Burgos (2-3, 4.28) in the third.

For New Orleans, Chris Narveson (1-2, 4.01) was nearly perfect for the first half of the game. He retired the first 14 batters he faced before Will Middlebrooks grounded a single to left with two outs in the fifth for the first hit of the game for either side. Narveson finished with seven scoreless innings on the mound, allowing just one Sky Sox hit while striking out four.

Burgos was just as good for the Sky Sox. After no hits for the first five and a third innings, the Zephyrs finally got their first hit on a bunt single from Aaron Nola in the sixth. New Orleans then proceeded to load the bases with a couple walks with one out. Looking to get the first run of the game for the Zephyrs, Destin Hood hit a hard ball that looked to be a hit, but Sky Sox shortstop Orlando Arcia smothered it and flipped to second to start the inning-ending double play to get Burgos through the inning unscathed.

With two outs in the seventh, the Zephyrs were finally able to break through against Burgos. Isaac Galloway tripled then scored on Brady Shoemaker's single to give his team a 1-0 lead. Burgos finished with one earned run against on three hits with three strikeouts in five innings.

In the eighth, the Sky Sox loaded the bases with one out off Breslow. Keon Broxton came to the plate for the Sky Sox. The first pitch of his at-bat was a called strike, which didn't sit well with some of the Sky Sox. After arguing from the dugout, Sky Sox pitching coach Fred Dabney and Arcia were both ejected by the home plate umpire. Breslow escaped the jam by striking out Broxton and inducing a ground out from Rivera to end the frame.

Damien Magnifico pitched a scoreless eighth to send the game to the ninth with the Sky Sox down only a run. Magnifico would earn his first win of the season thanks to the late offensive outburst from the Sky Sox.

After the Sky Sox rallied to take the lead in the ninth, they turned to Sam Freeman out of the bullpen. The leadoff hitter, Matt Juengel, walked. On a sacrifice bunt attempt, the next hitter Carlos Corporan was called out on batter's interference, negating the bunt that would have moved Juengel to second. After a pop out from Galloway, Brady Shoemaker singled to put the winning run on base for New Orleans. But Freeman got Elliot Soto to break his bat and ground out to end the game and give the Sky Sox the win. Freeman earned his first save of the season.

The Sky Sox conclude their series in New Orleans with a matinee tomorrow morning. Tyler Cravy (1-1, 3.92) is scheduled to start for the Sky Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. MDT at Zephyr Park.

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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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