René García's ninth-inning RBI single snapped a three-game losing streak and gave the Colorado Springs Sky Sox a 3-2 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes in front of 10,085 at Isotopes Park Sunday afternoon.
René García's ninth-inning RBI single snapped a three-game losing streak and gave the Colorado Springs Sky Sox a 3-2 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes in front of 10,085 at Isotopes Park Sunday afternoon.
With two outs in the ninth inning, the Sky Sox backstop fought off three 0-2 offerings from Albuquerque reliever Carlos Estévez, eventually grounding the sixth pitch of the at-bat through the hole on the left side of the infield into left field for his second RBI in a week. Yadiel Rivera came around to score, giving Colorado Springs (24-15) its first lead of the game.
For the second straight game, the Sky Sox entered the fourth inning trailing 2-0. For the second straight game, the visitors managed to come back and tie the game. Brett Phillips and Ryan Cordell came in to score in the fourth and sixth innings, respectively, on a pair of double plays to chip away at the Isotopes margin.
Hiram Burgos weaved in and out of trouble over his four-inning decision, allowing just two earned runs and striking out five Isotope batters. The right-hander stranded four runners in the first four frames, striking out Derrik Gibson to end the threat in the second and striking out the side with runners on first and second to end the fourth inning.
Brent Suter came on in the fifth inning after the hosts loaded the bases three batters in, forcing an infield fly and then starting a 1-2-3 double play to escape the jam and keep Albuquerque (23-20) off the board. Andrew Barbosa (1-0, 3.46) threw two perfect innings with a pair of strikeouts, while David Goforth earned his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.
The Sky Sox aim for the series split Monday afternoon, when RHP Michael Blazek (0-0, 1.80) takes on Albuquerque RHP Thad Weber (1-1, 4.50) at 12:05 p.m. MT in the final game of the season between the two teams. Colorado Springs return home Tuesday, May 23, for a four-game series with the New Orleans Baby Cakes at 6:40 p.m. MT.
