The Colorado Springs Sky Sox turned the fourth triple play in franchise history Tuesday night, but the New Orleans Baby Cakes took the series opener, 7-2, in front of 3,892 at Security Service Field.
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox turned the fourth triple play in franchise history Tuesday night, but the New Orleans Baby Cakes took the series opener, 7-2, in front of 3,892 at Security Service Field.
The rare defensive feat was achieved in the top of the fourth inning. With two men on, Steve Lombardozzi grounded to third baseman Gabriel Noriega, who recorded the first out by forcing Peter Mooney out at second base. Second baseman Ivan De Jesus threw Stephen Fife out at home for the second out, while catcher René García caught Lombardozzi off first base for the first triple play in Colorado Springs since June 23, 1988, against Tacoma.
A pair of doubles provided the offense for the Sky Sox (25-16). In the third inning, Ryan Cordell lined his 14th two-bagger down the left field line for his 28th RBI and scoring Yadiel Rivera, who had a two-hit night in his first appearance in the No. 2 spot in 2017.
Three innings later, Kirk Nieuwenhuis clubbed a RBI double to the left-centerfield gap, scoring Brett Phillips. The double snapped a nine-game hitless streak and brought the Sox within four runs before New Orleans (16-29) shut the door.
Colorado Springs looks to rebound Wednesday night, when LHP Josh Hader (3-3, 4.60) takes on fellow lefty Kelvin Marte (0-1, 4.34) at 6:40 p.m. MT. The first Wednesday night home game of the season is also an ARC Community Ticket Day, meaning that fans can pick up complimentary ticket vouchers from any ARC Thrift Store location around Colorado Springs.
