Sky Sox Can't Overcome Early Deficit in 7-3 Loss

Published on July 5, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Two big frames were all that Memphis would need on Sunday afternoon, downing the Sky Sox in a 7-3 contest before a crowd of 4,050 at Security Service Field.

Colorado Springs struck first against Redbirds lefty Dean Kiekhefer as consecutive one-out singles by Luis Sardinas, Elian Herrera Matt Dominguez culminated the game's first run in the home first. Dominguez's RBI single would be on of two on the day for the Sox third baseman.

Kiekhefer kept the Sox for the rest of his relatively brief start, tossing 3.2 total innings of one-run ball on just three hits while striking out one.

Though he looked sharp in the first, Sox starter Tyler Thornburg (1-5, 5.29) did not fare quite as well. The right-hander allowed six runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out just one over four innings of work. Hs erratic day on the mound was only made worse by two big flies off the bats of Jeremy Hazelbaker and Dan Johnson in the second and third respectively.

Already leading 5-1 after three, Memphis tacked on one more run on Thornburg thanks to a Stephen Picotty, two-out RBI single. Ariel Pena would take over for the struggling starter in the fifth in hopes of quieting the Memphis lineup.

Redbirds manager Mike Shildt called upon Redbirds righty Heath Wyatt to take over for Kiekhefer with two out and clear set of bases in the fourth as the regular reliever had reached 43 pitches on the afternoon. Wyatt (1-0, 0.96) twirled three strong scoreless innings in relief, allowing just three hits while striking out two to keep Colorado Springs at a five-run deficit with just seven home outs to go.

Pena allowed one run over his solid three frames, surrendering two base knocks and two free passes while striking out one. Rob Wooten and Jaye Chapman would combine for two shutout innings to keep Memphis within the offensive arm's reach heading into the eighth and ninth innings.

Beginning his first fresh inning of the night after getting the final out of the seventh, Justin Wright failed to record an out in the eighth. The lefty opened the inning by allowing consecutive singles to Kyle Wren, pinch-hitter Logan Schafer, Elian Herrera and Matt Dominguez with the latter two cashing in for RBI knocks. The quick two-run rally cut the Sky Sox deficit to four runs, now trailing 7-3 with two on and no out.

Shildt had no interest in taking any risks regardless of the still comfortable four-run lead, turning to Keith Butler out of the bullpen with Robinzon Diaz coming to the plate. The righty-righty match-up worked in Memphis' favor as Diaz grounded into a 5-3 double play started by the perfectly place Greg Garcia down the third base line. Nevin Ashley followed with a fly out to deep right field to end the scoring threat and take the 7-3 ballgame into the ninth.

Chapman's scoreless Redbirds ninth led to a more important scoreless Sky Sox ninth for Butler. The reliever gave up a leadoff single to Matt Long before retiring Rivera, Bryan Petersen and Wren in order to secure the Memphis win. Butler earned his first save of the season as the Redbirds improve to 43-41. Despite matching Memphis with 11 hits, the Sox fall to a season-low 16 games below .500 at 32-48.

The Sox will look to turn it around on Monday night in game three of their four-game set with Memphis. Josh Roenicke (4-5, 4.75) takes the ball in a match-up with Redbirds left-hander Nick Greenwood (6-3, 5.72) with first pitch set for 7:05 PM MDT at Security Service Field.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 5, 2015


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