Sky Sox Win Extra-Innings Thriller, 5-4

Published on April 21, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


For the second consecutive match, the Rainiers and Sky Sox took a thriller to ten innings at Security Service Field - the first time in eleven years the team played back-to-back extra inning games at home.

Colorado Springs (8-6) took the day over Tacoma (6-8), 5-4, to go ahead of the Rainiers by two games in the Pacific North division.

The Sky Sox got out to a quick start on the first pitch of the game as Eric Young, Jr. hit his first home run of the season to put Colorado Springs on the board, 1-0.

Tacoma got to Colorado Springs starter Tim Redding (0-0, 3.07) in the top of the second, however, stringing together four hits and a sacrifice fly to plate two. A Travis Denker groundball double play ended the threat, but the damage was done as the visitors took the lead, 2-1.

The Rainiers would chalk another run on the board in the fifth. Leading off the inning, Denker drove a double to left, sacrificed to third by Ezequiel Carrera on the next at-bat. Shortstop Josh Wilson drove Denker in with one out on a sacrifice fly, putting Tacoma ahead 3-1.

The Sky Sox fought back in the sixth, plating one, while the two teams traded runs in the seventh. With the score 4-3 in favor of the Rainiers, the stage was set for another come from behind win for Colorado Springs.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, right fielder Jay Payton got the home team going, slapping a single to right that squeaked through the hole. A subsequent Paul Phillips single advanced Payton to third. Third baseman Travis Metcalf lined out to short on the next at-bat, putting the Sky Sox one out away from defeat.

Pinch hitting for Warren Schaeffer, Chris Frey hit a soft line drive over the head of Rainiers' first baseman Tommy Everidge. With Denker fielding the ball on a hop at the edge of the outfield grass, he made the toss back to Everidge in time to retire Frey. Everidge missed the bag at first, however, allowing the tying run to score from third and sending the game into extra innings.

With Sox reliever Andrew Johnston sending down the Rainiers in order to start the tenth, Springs center fielder Cole Garner lead off the bottom of the tenth. Lacing a fly ball to center that was misplayed by Tacoma right fielder Ryan Langerhans, Garner was able to scamper to third for a leadoff triple. Matt Miller and Mike Paulk were both intentionally walked to load the bases for Brad Eldred, who ripped a single through the left side to plate the game-winning run.

With the win, the Sky Sox maintain first place in the Pacific North division. Andrew Johnston (2-1) was credited with the victory while Steve Palazzolo (0-1) took the loss.

The two teams face off again tomorrow at 6:05, with Springs righthander Chaz Roe (0-2, 5.06) taking on Tacoma lefty Garrett Olson (1-0, 0.00).

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 21, 2010


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