Round Rock Rides Big Fourth Inning to Defeat Sky Sox 7-6

Published on April 15, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - On the heels of Monday's 9-2 win over Round Rock, the Sky Sox got off to a fast start once again with another three-run first inning in front of 3,601 fans at Security Service Field on Tuesday night. Unfortunately that early three-run lead would not hold up as the Express rode a big fourth inning to pick up a 7-6 win in game two of this four game series.

After scoreless top halves of the first and second, the Sky Sox jumped out to a quick four-run lead thanks to well-executed small ball. The Sox loaded the bases immediately with consecutive singles by Matt Long and Elian Herrera followed by a fielding error by second baseman Ed Lucas that allowed Matt Clark to reach. A groundball fielder's choice by Jason Rogers led to the game's first run. A walk to Shane Peterson again loaded the bases with just one out. Bryan Petersen's fielder's choice ground out extinguished Peterson at second base but allowed Elian Herrera to score from third for the game's second run. Ben Guez would follow with a line drive RBI single to center field to score Rogers, making the score 3-0 in the early going.

The home half of the second inning would treat spot starter David Martinez in similar fashion. Shortstop Luis Sardinas would leadoff the inning with a single up the middle, extending his current hitting streak to six games. A walk to Matt long and bunt single by Herrera, who also extended his current hit streak to six, lead to a run scoring 4-6-3 double play by Clark. The run would be the last scored by the Sky Sox until the bottom of the ninth inning as Martinez would settle down in the third before handing the ball to a solid Round Rock bullpen.

Making his second start of the young season, Sky Sox starter Taylor Jungmann (0-1, 7.88) cruised through his first three innings of work, striking out four of his first eight batter faced while allowing just three base runners. The fourth inning would hold a much different fate for Jungmann as the first seven batters for Round Rock would reach base safely on the strength of two walks, four singles and a hit batsman. Combined with two wild pitches in the inning, the Express were able to score all but one of those base runners before Jungmann was able to set down the top of the Round Rock order to finally end it.

Right-hander Chris Perez came on to start the fifth, allowing Round Rock's final run of the game on a leadoff triple by right fielder Jared Hoying and RBI groundout by Lucas. Perez would throw one more scoreless inning before turning the ball over to lefty Brent Leach.

Round Rock's bullpen stymied the Sky Sox offense for most of the night as the duo of south paw Edwar Cabrera (1-0, 8.31) and righty Spencer Patton tossed five innings of shut out baseball while striking out a combined nine total batters.

Right-handed reliever David Goforth would finish the night's pitching duties for Colorado Springs in his best performance of the season. Goforth went two innings, allowing just one hit along the way.

The bottom of the ninth inning featured what was the most dramatic play of the ballgame. Flame-throwing righty Jon Edwards took the mound to close out the ballgame in a save opportunity with his team up 7-4. After giving up a line drive single to Herrera, Edwards worked Matt Clark to a full count. Clark turned on the pay off pitch, drilling it an estimated 420 feet just inside the right field foul pole for a two-run home run to bring the Sox back within one with no outs in the inning.

Shane Peterson would single after a Jason Rogers ground out to keep the home team's hopes alive. However, Edwards found his rhythm and settled down to set both Bryan Petersen and Ben Guez down on swinging strikes to end the ballgame.

The Sky Sox will look to regain their winning form on Wednesday night at Security Service field in game three of the four game series. John Ely (0-0, 14.73) will make his second start for the Sox as he locks horns with Round Rock right-hander Luke Jackson (0-1, 11.25). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM MST.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 15, 2015


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