Sounds Squeak by Sox Late in 2-1 Loss

Published on July 3, 2015 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sky Sox fell victim to more strong pitching in yet another pitcher's duel loss on Friday night as the Nashville Sounds edged the visiting squad late in a 2-1 series-ending contest before 10,891 fans at First Tennessee Park.

Starters Drew Gagnon and Barry Zito posted remarkably similar lines in a good night for most of the game's hurlers. Neither earned a decision as the game turned into a battle of the bullpens after seven. Gagnon allowed just one run on four hits while striking out six and walking none over six sparkling innings. The start was undoubtedly one of the better performances of Gagnon's first Triple-A season.

The only true mistake the right-hander made came on a payoff pitch to Jake Smolinski in the Sounds third as the outfielder drilled Gagnon's offering down the left field line for a solo home run, giving Nashville a 1-0 lead.

Zito lasted one more frame than Gagnon, allowing a run on four hits and a walk while striking out six of his own. The veteran lefty gave up his lone run in the top of the sixth when the Sox lineup rallied to put two runners on after falling to two quick out to start the frame. Matt Clark followed with a two-out RBI single, plating Luis Sardinas to knot the game at one. The score would remain until a fateful Sounds eighth inning.

Michael Kirkman (2-1, 2.57) tossed a scoreless seventh in relief of Gagnon before coming back out for the eighth. The lefty reliever walked the speedy Craig Gentry to start the frame before Joey Wendle moved him over on a sacrifice bunt. Kirkman would be lifted in favor of the recently promoted Austin Ross. The righty walked his first batter as a Sox player, giving Ryan Roberts the free pass to put runners on first and second with one out. Ross retired Jason Pridie with a flyout to center in the following at-bat before the recently acquired Dayan Viciedo cashed in with an RBI single to plate Gentry from third. The second run of the night would be all the Sounds needed as Dan Otero (1-0, 1.23) shutdown the Sox lineup for the second straight frame in the ninth to secure a slim 2-1 victory and series-split.

Colorado Springs falls to 32-47 with the difficult loss as Nashville improves to 37-45.

Tim Dillard (2-1, 3.90) hopes to benefit from a little more offensive support as the Sox return home to Colorado Springs to begin a four-game set against Zach Petrick (4-4, 3.94) and the Memphis Redbirds on Saturday night. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM MDT on Independence Day at Security Service Field.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 3, 2015


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