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Sky Sox Walk-Off to Stun I-Cubs 9-8

June 17, 2016 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - There's a reason the Colorado Springs Sky Sox are the comeback kings of the Pacific Coast League in 2016.

Down five runs going to the bottom of the ninth, the Sky Sox put together a furious five-run rally to tie the game, and then they walked off in the 10th inning to defeat the Iowa Cubs 9-8 in a thrilling contest on Thursday night at Security Service Field.

With an 8-3 lead going to the bottom of the ninth, the I-Cubs turned to Joel Peralta to try and finish it off, but the reliever wouldn't record an out. Kyle Wren led off the inning with a single to right field. An error and a single loaded the bases for pinch-hitter Eric Young Jr. He also reached on an error which scored a pair of runs to cut the lead to 8-5. An infield single from Andy Wilkins cut the deficit to two.

Looking to get out of the jam, Iowa turned to closer Spencer Patton. Will Middlebrooks greeted him with a single to left to score Young Jr. and the deficit was cut to just a single run. A few batters later, catcher Rene Garcia stepped to the plate with the tying run on third. In his Sky Sox debut, Garcia delivered by hitting a sacrifice fly to right to score Middlebrooks with the tying run.

In the 10th, Damien Magnifico (2-5, 3.68) came out of the bullpen and pitched a scoreless frame to give the Sky Sox offense a chance to win. Elmore led off with a single to right, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch and a balk. With one out, Young Jr. came to the plate and delivered a walk-off single to right to score Elmore with the winning run. After touching first base, the Sky Sox poured out of the dugout to celebrate with Young Jr. at first base.

The game didn't start as well as it ended for the Sky Sox. Making his Sky Sox debut, Wily Peralta (0-0, 7.36) pitched three and two thirds innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out four Cubs.

The Sky Sox were trailing 6-0 in the fifth before they managed to score a run off Iowa starter Jake Buchanan (5-4, 4.97). Their first run came across when Elmore singled to right to score Garcia and cut the lead to 6-1 Iowa.

Brewers rehabber Zack Jones came out of the bullpen and pitched a scoreless sixth, and the Sky Sox cut into the lead with a couple more runs in the bottom half as Garin Cecchini and Yadiel Rivera hit run scoring singles.

After fellow Brewers rehabber Michael Blazek allowed a pair of Iowa runs in the seventh, the Sky Sox found themselves down five late.

Austin Ross and David Goforth kept the Sky Sox in the game with scoreless frames, and the Sky Sox offense wouldn't quit, as their furious rally sent the home crowd of 7,199 home happy. Magnifico ended up the winning pitcher thanks to the walk-off win.

The win is the Sky Sox league leading 10th this season when trailing this season.

Elmore tallied three hits and two runs scored, while Cecchini also recorded three hits. Seven different Sky Sox drove in a run.

The Sky Sox begin a four game series with the Omaha Storm Chasers. Josh Hader (0-1, 3.00) is scheduled to make his first home start for the Sky Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Security Service Field.



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 17, 2016


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