Sky Sox Top OKC 5-1 in Opener

Published on August 24, 2016 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Colorado Springs Sky Sox offense got a lead, and four pitchers combined to pitch a gem as the Sky Sox defeated the Oklahoma City Dodgers 5-1 in the opener of their series at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Wednesday night.

Looking to grain ground against the division-leading Dodgers, the Sky Sox got off to a good start. Nate Orf and Lewis Brinson singled to put runners on the corners with one out in the first. Andy Wilkins followed the singles with a sacrifice fly to center to score Orf and give the Sky Sox an early lead against Oklahoma City starter Sam LeCure (5-5, 4.40).

The Sky Sox couldn't hold the lead for long as Jack Murphy hit a solo home run off Sky Sox starter Drew Gagnon (1-1, 6.20) in the second to even the game at one.

In the third, the Sky Sox were quick to retake the lead. Gagnon helped his own cause on the mound with a leadoff single at the plate, and then Wren followed with a walk to put a pair of runners on base. After Orf laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, Brinson came to the plate. In his second game since coming off the disabled list, Brinson gave the Sky Sox the lead with a double to left that scored Gagnon and Wren, giving the Sky Sox a 3-1 lead.

Gagnon struck out a pair in the bottom half to work around a couple base runners and pitch a scoreless inning. In the fourth, Gagnon struck out the first two batters he faced before walking Brandon Hicks. Sky Sox manager Rick Sweet turned to the bullpen after that, ending Gagnon's night. Austin Ross came in and got the final out to close the book on Gagnon. In just his third start of the season, Gagnon pitched thee and two thirds innings, allowing one earned run on two hits while walking three and striking out a season-high eight Dodgers. He did not factor in the decision.

Wren started off the fifth with a walk against LeCure, and then he stole second and advanced to third on a fly out. Brinson followed with a single to center to score Wren and increase the Sky Sox lead to 4-1 halfway through the game.

Ross pitched a scoreless fifth to keep the Sky Sox in front. In the sixth, Oklahoma City put a pair of runners on base with two outs, but Ross struck out Roy Merritt to strand the runners on base and keep Colorado Springs up 4-1 going to the seventh.

The lead increased to 5-1 in the seventh as Orf lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score Yadiel Rivera from third as the Sky Sox lead grew to four against the Dodgers bullpen.

Sam Freeman entered for the Sky Sox in the bottom of the seventh and pitched two scoreless innings to keep the Sky Sox ahead 5-1 going to the ninth inning. In the ninth, Ben Rowen came in for the Sky Sox and tossed a scoreless frame to finish off the Sky Sox fourth straight win over the Dodgers.

Ross earned his sixth win of the season with two and a third scoreless relief innings and five strikeouts. Sky Sox pitchers combined to strike out 15 batters in the win. Offensively, Brinson led the way with three runs batted in and Wren scored a pair of runs.

In game two of the series on Thursday night, Hiram Burgos (8-9, 4.60) is scheduled to get the start for the Sky Sox against Logan Bawcom (5-4, 1.73). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 24, 2016


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