Sox Avenge Last Night's Loss, Defeat Round Rock 12-8

Published on May 16, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


The Sky Sox avenged last night's big defeat, sending down Round Rock by a score of 12-8 Sunday afternoon at Security Service Field.

The Sox wasted no time jumping ahead in the second. Playing textbook station-to-station baseball, the team batted around, plating five runs on just two singles, two walks, and a ground rule double.

Chris Nelson got the action started with one out, sneaking a looper just fair inside the right field line that bounced into the stands for a ground-rule double. A Mike Paulk walk put runners on first and second for Mike McKenry, who deposited a single just in front of centerfielder Jason Bourgeois to plate the game's first run. Travis Metcalf walked to load the bases, setting up a two-run single by pitcher Alan Johnson, putting the CoSox up, 3-0. A wacky play on the next at-bat, Jonathan Herrera grounded to second baseman Matt Kata, who threw to home, catching Travis Metcalf in a rundown. No one was covering third, however, allowing Metcalf to scamper back to third just ahead of a diving tag by catcher Brian Esposito. The bases still loaded, Chris Frey walked in the next plate appearance, scoring the Sox' fourth run of the inning with only one out. Matt Miller grounded into a fielder's choice at second, batting in pitcher Alan Johnson from third for the team's fifth run. Brad Eldred struck out in the next at-bat to end the inning.

The Express wasted no time mounting a response, plating two runs in the top of the third. Alan Johnson running into a bit of a rough patch, a leadoff single by pitcher Roy Corcoran was followed up by a costly 0-2 hit by pitch on leadoff man Jason Bourgeois. The next batter, shortstop Oswaldo Navarro, hit a long wall-ball double to left, plating Corcoran, 3-1. Third baseman Chris Johnson batted in Bourgeois with a ground out to second, 3-2. Johnson settled down, however, inducing a key punchout from slugger Chris Shelton for the second out, before coaxing a Matt Kata fly out to short center - ending the inning and stranding Navarro at third.

The home town team threatened again in the fourth, Jonathan Herrera sparking the rally with a one-out walk. Herrera attempting to steal second with Chris Frey at the plate, Herrera pulled shortstop Oswaldo Navarro toward the second base bag just enough to allow Frey to slap a single to the hole, beating an off-balance throw from Navarro by half a step. Matt Miller popping out to the catcher, Brad Eldred saved the inning on the next at-bat with a line drive double down the left field line. Herrera and Frey each scored on the play, putting the Sox back on top by five, 7-2. Mike Paulk struck out two batters later to end the inning.

The Sky Sox would add another three in the sixth on the strength of a Travis Metcalf two-out, bases loaded double and Cole Garner RBI single. The club would add one in the seventh and one more in the eighth to go up 12-2. Round Rock would make it interesting with a six-run ninth, but fell short, 12-8.

With the victory, the Sky Sox improved to 19-17, remaining at first place in the Pacific North. Round Rock falls to 16-21 with the defeat. CoSox starter Alan Johnson (4-0,2.45) was credited with his fourth win of the season while Roy Corcoran (1-6, 4.76) took his sixth loss on the year.

The two teams will face off again tomorrow for the third match of their four game set. United States Olympic softball pitcher and gold medalist Jennie Finch will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at 5:50 with the game beginning at 6:05.

Notables:

-Both starting pitchers were able to help their own cause tonight. Round Rock starter Roy Corcoran singled and scored a run while CoSox righty Alan Johnson singled, scored, and batted in a two runs.

-The Sky Sox' five run second inning was tied for the third most in any inning this season.

-The CoSox' first seven runs were scored on only five hits.

-Rehabbing Sky Sox reliever Taylor Buchholz made his second appearance for the Sky Sox on his way back from Tommy John surgery. Buchholz pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit.

-The Sky Sox' twelve runs were a season high, besting their 11 at Las Vegas on 5/2.

-Round Rock's six-run ninth was tied for the second most runs in any inning against the Sky Sox this year.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 16, 2010


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