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Sox Top Rainiers in Extra Inning Thriller, 2-1

June 16, 2010 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox News Release


The Sky Sox won an extra-innings thriller Wednesday afternoon, taking the first leg of their double header versus Tacoma by a score of 2-1.

Both David Pauley and Greg Smith in top form through the first three innings, Mike Wilson broke the 0-0 deadlock with a long home run to left with one out in the fourth, 1-0. Smith gathering his composure, the starter cruised through the remainder of the frame.

The Sox offense would come to life in the bottom half, rallying back in support of Smith. Kaz Matsui flying out to lead off the inning after nearly reaching on a foul bunt, the Sox strung together three base hits to draw even at one. Poised to capture the lead with runners on the corners and one out, Cole Garner lined into a hard luck double play at first - a drive ticketed for two bases. The game's pivotal moment to that point, a hit in that situation may have proved decisive as the teams would ultimately conclude their regulation seven innings tied at one.

Pauley throwing a scoreless seventh of his own, Tacoma showed some fight in the first extra frame. Ezequiel Carrera singling with one out and advancing to third on a two-out Jack Hannahan single, the Rainiers found themselves on the verge of a go ahead score. Fortune would shift back in the Sky Sox favor, however, as Matt Miller would make a game-saving sliding catch on Brad Nelson's sinking liner for the third out.

The Sky Sox would mount an offensive of their own in the bottom of the eighth, coming within a base hit of a walk-off win.

Chris Nelson leading off with a single up the middle, he was sacrificed to second by Omar Quintanilla - one out. Paul Phillips lofting a dying quail just inside the right field line, Tacoma was pushed back on their heels with runners on the corners. Dexter Fowler intentionally walked to open up the force play at home, Kaz Matsui hit a chopper to first, forcing Nelson at the plate - two out.

The Sky Sox were able to get a favorable matchup with two outs, however, as Matt Miller, the club's hottest hitter, strode to the plate with the game in the balance. The man riding a 17-game hit streak couldn't deliver the winning hit, however, flying out to deep right - a ball that very nearly sailed over the head of Mike Wilson. Tacoma breathing a long sigh of relief, the clubs moved on to the ninth.

Huston Street tossing a perfect top half of the inning, the Sox were finally able to close out the match.

Jay Payton reaching on a one-out single to center, he would advance to second base on a Cole Garner ground out to first. Stealing third on a 3-0 called strike to batter Chris Nelson, Nelson would single on the next pitch, driving Payton home for the win.

With the victory, the Sky Sox improved to 31-34 while the Rainiers fell to 32-31. Sox reliever Huston Street (1-1, 7.94) was credited with the win while David Pauley (1-5, 3.62) was the hard-luck loser.

The two teams will take a 30 minute intermission before the second leg of the doubleheader, at which time Kurt Birkins (3-3, 7.92) will take on Yusmeiro Petit (1-1, 7.88). The teams will wrap up their series tomorrow at 7:05 PM before Las Vegas visits the Springs.

Notables:

- Both starters, Greg Smith and David Pauley, finished seven innings of regulation allowing one run on five hits.

- A hard-luck loser, Pauley was credited with a complete game loss after allowing a walkoff single to Chris Nelson with two out in the ninth.



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 16, 2010


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