The Colorado Springs Sky Sox eclipsed the 20-hit mark for the second straight night, marking a first in franchise history, in a 19-7 defeat of the Fresno Grizzlies in front of 3,649 at Security Service Field Saturday night.
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox eclipsed the 20-hit mark for the second straight night, marking a first in franchise history, in a 19-7 defeat of the Fresno Grizzlies in front of 3,649 at Security Service Field Saturday night.
Similar to the series finale in Oklahoma City a night before, the offense jumped out to a big lead through the early innings. After Fresno (13-17) took a 1-0 lead on a Jon Kemmer home run two batters into the game, the Sky Sox (17-8) scored four runs in the first, three in the second, two in the third and nine runs in the fourth as part of an 18-0 scoring run.
Ivan De Jesus set a season-high with five RBIs on a 4-for-6 night. After driving in two runs on a single to cap the scoring in the first inning, the third baseman drove in three more runs on a pair of doubles in the fourth and sixth innings. A night after clubbing a season-high seven doubles in Oklahoma City, Colorado Springs made a new season-high with eight two-baggers off Grizzlies pitching.
Ryan Cordell (2-for-4) drove in four runs, three of which coming on a home run to left field off starter Mike Hauschild, scoring Lewis Brinson and Kirk Nieuwenhuis in the second inning for Cordell's fifth long ball of 2017.
Brett Phillips clubbed his team-leading sixth home run of the year during the nine-run fourth inning, joining Nate Orf and Tyler Heineman with two RBIs apiece, while Garrett Cooper, Yadiel Rivera, Brinson and Nieuwenhuis each drove in a run. Every starter recorded a hit for the second straight night, scored at least one run for the second time this season, and also drove in at least one run.
A 1:38 rain delay prevented starter Paolo Espino from factoring in the decision, but the right-hander got off to another solid start, allowing a single earned run and two hits while striking out five over his four innings of work. Reliever Tim Dillard (1-0, 0.84) earned his first win of the season after tossing three scoreless innings, surrendering a pair of hits.
The two squads return to the field Sunday afternoon for a weekend matinee featuring RHP Brandon Woodruff (4-0, 2.22) looking to improve upon his undefeated start to the season. The righty squares off with Fresno right-hander Edison Frias (1-2, 5.40) during Bark in the Park, presented by Wag-N-Wash. The first 500 dogs and their human friends will be allowed to take in the game from the berm section down the third base line.
Along with it being a 50-cent hot dog Sunday, courtesy of Safeway, the first 1,000 kids aged 12 and under will receive a Sky Sox youth jersey, presented by the United States Forest Service.
