Sky Sox Win Rubber Match against Storm Chasers to Take Series
April 29, 2018 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Colorado Springs Sky Sox won a decisive rubber match on Sunday afternoon, besting the Omaha Storm Chasers 7-3 in the final of their five-game series, which was tied at two games each coming into today.
Mauricio Dubon came into today's game with a 17-game hitting streak, and in his very first at-bat extended that hit streak to 18 games with a double to left field. Jacob Nottingham singled to score Dubon and give the Sky Sox an early 1-0 lead.
In the second frame Christian Bethancourt led off for Colorado Springs with a double, scoring three batters later on a Kyle Wren double to make it 2-0.
For the third inning in a row the Sky Sox held their opponents scoreless in the top half of the inning, and then scored a single run in the bottom half. This time the Sky Sox run came via a solo homer off the bat of Nottingham; his second of the season.
After a scoreless fourth inning the Sky Sox resumed the trend in the fifth, allowing no runs in the top of the inning and scoring once in the bottom. Nate Orf hit a one-out single, then moved to second on a Dubon sacrifice. Gi-Man Choi singled to right field to score Orf and make it a 4-0 ballgame.
The Storm Chasers, who had only mustered two hits through the first five innings, broke the shutout in the top of the sixth. Hunter Dozier singled for Omaha's third hit of the game, and then scored on a Ryan O'Hearn double to make it 4-1.
The Sky Sox answered in the bottom of the seventh by extending their lead by three runs. Keon Broxton led off the inning with a walk, then stole second with Wren at the plate. Wren doubled in Broxton, then one at-bat later Orf singled to score Wren. Orf stole second for the Sky Sox third steal of the game and his fifth of the season. Brett Phillips doubled in Orf to make it 7-1.
In the bottom of the eighth the Storm Chasers were quick to strike back, scoring their second and third runs of the game. With one out Ramon Torres doubled to left field, and then scored on a Jack Lopez ground-rule double that hopped over the left field wall beneath the scoreboard to reduce the Colorado Springs lead to just five runs. Dozier singled to move Lopez to third, then a Billy Burns sacrifice fly scored Lopez to make it 7-3, for what would be the final run of the game.
The Sky Sox are set to start a four-game series against the Nashville Sounds tomorrow at 6:40 p.m., with gates open at 5:30 p.m. For all information on Sky Sox, follow along on Facebook and Twitter or visit the team's website at www.skysox.com.
NOTES
Tomorrow's Expectation: In the first game of the four-game series against the Nashville Sounds the Sky Sox are sending right-hander Corbin Burnes to the mound to face fellow righty Chris Bassitt for the Sounds. Both pitchers are 1-0 on the season.
Double Trouble: The Sky Sox smacked five doubles in the final game against the Storm Chasers on Sunday. Mauricio Dubon, Christian Bethancourt, and Brett Phillips each had one while Kyle Wren had two. Jacob Nottingham also mashed a solo home run for another Sky Sox extra-base hit.
Thievery: The Sky Sox stole four bases on Sunday for the second time in the Omaha series. Gi-Man Choi and Shane Opitz each stole his first of the season, with Keon Broxton and Nate Orf stealing their sixth and fifth bags, respectively. Colorado Springs also stole four bases Friday night, which tied a season-high from 4/14 versus Round Rock. Broxton had two of those four steals. Tyler Saladino also had two steals in Thursday night's game against Omaha.
Dubon Extends to 18: Mauricio Dubon extended his hit streak to 18 games Sunday. Dubon has gone 26-for-78 over 18 games with 13 runs, three home runs, 12 RBI, and two stolen bases. His longest recorded streak in 2017 with the Sky Sox was seven games.
Game Four Turn-around: The Sky Sox remained perfect in game four matchups and, after Saturday's win, improve to 4-0 on the season while also improving to 2-3 on Saturday games played.
Less Than Five: Saturday's game four with Omaha marked the first time since April 20 where Sky Sox pitching allowed less than five runs. In the previous three home games, runs have flooded Security Service Field as Colorado Springs pitching surrendered 31 runs total.
This Week's Preview: The Sky Sox are set to host a four-game series against the Nashville Sounds, who they are seeing for the first time this seaon, before going on the road for eight games. First the Sky Sox will go to Oklahoma City to play a four-game series against the Dodgers before going to Nashville to play the Sounds for four more games.
NEXT GAME: Monday, April 29 vs. Nashville Sounds - 6:40 p.m. MDT @ Security Service Field
RHP Corbin Burnes (1-0, 5.23) vs. RHP Chris Bassitt (1-0, 0.69) | Broadcast on XTRA Sports 1300
Monday Promotion - Community Ticket Monday (Presented by NOVA Home Loans)
COS TOP PERFORMERS
- Jacob Nottingham (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI)
- Bubba Derby (W, 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 SO)
- Christian Bethancourt (2-for-4, 1 R)
OMAHA TOP PERFORMERS
- Ryan O-Hearn (2-for-3, 1 RBI)
- Hunter Dozier (2-for-2, 1 R, 2 BB)
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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 29, 2018
- Bees Power to Series Win over El Paso - Salt Lake Bees
- River Cats walk off on Perez single - Sacramento River Cats
- Aces Lose Heartbreaker in Series Finale - Reno Aces
- Dodgers Sweep Series to Improve to 12-0 in OKC - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Grizzlies defeat Rainiers 11-5 in Sunday matinee - Fresno Grizzlies
- Iowa's Rally Falls Short - Iowa Cubs
- Helsley Hurls 7.0 Strong Innings in Season Debut - Memphis Redbirds
- Rally Eludes Chihuahuas - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Rainiers Drop Series Finale With Grizzlies, 11-5 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Sky Sox Take Series with 7-3 Win - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sky Sox Win Rubber Match against Storm Chasers to Take Series - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Memphis Rides Big Inning to 6-1 Win over Round Rock - Round Rock Express
- Missed Opportunities Leads to 'Cakes Defeat - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Dustin Fowler Leads Sounds to Series Win - Nashville Sounds
- Game Notes: Memphis Redbirds (16-7) vs Round Rock Express (9-14) -- - Memphis Redbirds
- Nashville Sounds Game Information: New Orleans Baby Cakes (9-13) at Nashville Sounds (11-11) - Nashville Sounds
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - April 29, 2018 - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Salt Lake Slips Late in El Paso - Salt Lake Bees
- Sky Sox Hold on for 3-2 Win - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Four-run first not enough for River Cats in loss - Sacramento River Cats
- Marzilli, Aces Power Past 'Cats - Reno Aces
- A.J. Reed and Tony Kemp pace Grizz offense in 7-3 loss to Rainiers - Fresno Grizzlies
- Rainiers Beat Grizzlies, 7-3, To Even Series - Tacoma Rainiers
- Chihuahuas' Eighth Earns Win - El Paso Chihuahuas
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