April 2011
Sox Scribbles:
In a departure from the norm, the Sox found themselves in a pitchers duel last night against the Tacoma Rainiers.
Sox starter Billy Buckner tossed 5.1 solid innings, allowing just five hits and two runs (one earned). Unfortunately for the Sox, Tacoma starter and former Sky Sox pitcher Chaz Roe was equally as effective. Roe threw six innings, allowing two runs on four hits.
The game came down to a battle of the bullpens. It looked like the Sox might come out with the victory after an Eric Young Jr. RBI single gave them a 3-2 lead heading into the home half of the seventh. Four Tacoma hits off of Jim Miller and Rex Brothers led to two Rainiers runs and they held on for a 4-3 victory.
The loss dropped the Sox to 5-9 on the season while Tacoma snapped a six game losing streak and pushed their record to 4-10.
Game three comes your way at 8:05 PM MT tonight. Josh Muecke (0-2, 6.75) takes the mound for the Sox against Fabio Castro (0-1. 3.00)
Sox Scribbles: Reno 911
The Sox were unable to salvage a split of their four-game road series with the Reno Aces Monday as they fell 10-6, their sixth loss to Reno in the last eight days.
They’ll finally get to face a new opponent starting tonight as they battle the Tacoma Rainiers. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 PM MT.
Greg Reynolds will make his first start for the Sky Sox this season. Reynolds was scheduled to be the Sox opening day starter but was called up by the Rockies on April 6th. He made two starts with the Rockies going 1-0 with a 3.23 ERA. The former number two overall pick is looking to continue his strong start to the 2011 season.
In some exciting news, longtime Sky Sox broadcaster Dan Karcher will be broadcasting his 3,000th Sky Sox game on April 28th. Karch has leant his amazing talents to so many great moments in team history and the Sky Sox have been incredibly lucky to have him behind the mic for 22 seasons.
Do yourself a favor and check out this article by Tom Verducci on the humidor as it celebrates its 10th Aniversary.
Sox Scribbles: Crazy Eights
The Sky Sox and Reno Aces complete their eight games in eight days series tonight at 6:05.
The Aces have won five of the first seven games with the Sox this season. However, the Sox captured last night’s game 8-5 behind a six-run eighth inning to erase a 3-2 deficit. They will look to earn a split of the current four-game series with a win tonight.
It’s pretty safe to say Sox pitchers won’t be sorry to see Wily Mo Pena in their rearview mirrors. In six games against the Sox so far this season, Pena is hitting a robust .407 (11-for-27) with four home runs and nine RBI.
However, Sox first baseman Mike Jacobs has been nearly as prolific against Reno. In seven games against the Aces this season, Jacobs is batting .441 (11-for-25) with three home runs, three doubles, seven RBI and three walks.
At 4-7 and 3.5 games behind Reno in the Pacific Northern Division, the Sox will look to inch closer tonight before heading out to Tacoma for four games with the Rainiers.
Now for a few links:
In case you haven’t noticed, that team in Denver is off to their best start ever and currently own the best record in baseball. ESPN.com and SI.com currently rank them as the number one team in their latest Power Rankings. ESPN had this to say about the play of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki:
“Owners of baseball’s best record, the Rockies are being driven by the amazing Troy Tulowitzki, who already has seven homers this year. Hits like a young Nomar Garciaparra, fields like a young Cal Ripken.”
The Rockies open up a huge three game set with the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants tonight with Tim Lincecum set to take the bump in game one. Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez is scheduled to make his return from the DL for game two on Tuesday.
Former Sky Sox Jhoulys Chacin has stepped up bigtime in Jimenez’s absence. He’s tied for the league lead with three wins and is tied for seventh in ERA at1.64
Even though it’s only the third week in April, pundits agree that this will be a meaningful series. Here’s some perspective from Fox Sports.com and ESPN’s Sweet Spot Blog.
Other former Sox players making an impact in the Rockies hot start are Jonathan Herrera and Dexter Fowler. Herrera is batting .400 and leads the team with four stolen bases while Fowler leads the Rox with 13 runs scored.
Sky Sox Two Dollar Tuesdays At Rock Bottom
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox and Rock Bottom are teaming up for a special promotion this season. Sky Sox fans will be familiar with our $2 Tuesday promotion which features $2 tickets, parking and beer at every Tuesday home game. Starting Tuesday, April 12, $2 Tuesdays will carry over to Rock Bottom Restaurant after each Sky Sox home Game!
Following the conclusion of each Tuesday Sky Sox home game, Rock Bottom will be serving their House Micro Brews for $2. Fans wearing Sky Sox gear will also be able to get 20% off food and drinks starting at 4:00 PM on Tuesday afternoons prior to Sky Sox home games.
In addition, Sky Sox Broadcaster Matt Pauley will be broadcasting the Sky Sox Postgame Show from Rock Bottom after each Tuesday game starting May 17th with appearances by Sky Sox players and coaches. Sky Sox mascot Sox The Fox and On-Field Host Jon Eddy will also be in attendance providing fans with special games, giveaways, and laughs.
“The Sky Sox are thrilled to continue our partnership with Rock Bottom”, said Sky Sox President and General Manager Tony Ensor. “We look forward to bringing the excitement of two dollar Tuesdays from Security Service Field to Rock Bottom and providing our fans with a great opportunity to experience the Sky Sox baseball postgame atmosphere in a great environment.”
The Sky Sox and Rock Bottom anticipate that the close proximity to Security Service Field and the fun atmosphere will make his promotion a rousing success. Be sure to stop by Rock Bottom after every Tuesday home game for great food and drink specials during the Sky Sox $2 Tuesday Postgame Party.
Sox Scribbles – Sox earn series split with 12-2 blowout of Tucson
The Sky Sox won the final game of their four-game series with the Tucson Padres 12-2 on a blustery Sunday afternoon at Security Service Field.
Cole Garner paced the offense with four hits and three RBI. Willy Taveras (1) and Charlie Blackmon (2) each added a solo home run for the Sox.
The Reno Aces come to town for a four-game series starting tonight at 6:05 PM. The Aces (2-1) come in leading the Pacific Northern Division by a half game over the Sky Sox. It will be crucial to perform well within the division this year and this series will mark the first opportunity for the Sox to face an intra division foe. The Aces and Sox will actually face off in eight straight games as they will travel to Reno for another four gamer directly following the conclusion of this series.
Lefty Josh Muecke will take the bump for the Sox tonight in his first start of the season. He’ll be opposed by righty Matt Torra as the Sox look to move into first place.
Here are a few notes from yesterday’s game:
Sox Scribbles:
- With five scoreless innings on Sunday, the Sky Sox bullpen has now thrown 15 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run
- Cole Garner collected his second four-hit game of the season, and pushed his average to .643
- In addition to his second home run of the season, Blackmon also collected his second outfield assist throwing out Jesus Guzman at second in the first inning
- With Eric Young Jr.’s steal, the Sox now have at least one stolen base in every game this season
- The Sox scored 38 runs in the four-game series and currently lead the PCL in runs scored
- The Sox recorded their first errorless game of the season after committing five in the first three games.
Also, check out this story from Jim Reynolds on the All Things Rockies blog about Greg Reynolds’ first start for the Rox this season. Reynolds was scheduled to be the Sox opening day starter before Ubaldo Jimenez landed on the DL. Reynolds, the former number two overall pick for the Rockies in 2006, has struggled with injuries for much of his career but by all accounts is finally healthy and pitching well.
From the ESPN New York blog, an interesting piece on the Rockies struggles in New York against the Mets at Citi Field and formerly Shea Stadium.
Sox Scribbles: Rally Falls Short, Sky Sox fall to Padres 9-7
The Sky Sox fell to 1-2 with a 9-7 loss to Tucson on Saturday. Clayton Mortensen took the loss, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits, three walks, and four strikeouts in three innings. Starter Josh Geer picked up the win for Tucson scattering eight hits while allowing two runs and striking out four in five innings. Here are some notes from the game:
- After combining for eight errors in the previous two games, the teams committed only one a piece on Saturday
- Garner collected his third sacrifice fly on the season, giving him one in each of the first three games this season
- The Sox bullpen hasn’t given up an earned run over the past two games spanning ten innings
- Sox reliever Andrew Graham had his second straight scoreless appearance with two innings today and 1.2 innings in Friday’s game
- With only one stolen base, the Sox snapped a streak of two consecutive games with three steals
The Sox and Padres finish up their series at 1:05 PM today. RHP Billy Buckner (NR) will face RHP Simon Castro as the Sox look to earn a series split.
Sox Notch First Victory of 2011
The Sox are in the win column after defeating the Tucson Padres 5-3 behind a solid outing from starter Alan Johnson and fourinnings of scoreless relief from the bullpen.
A clutch two-out, two-run single by Matt Macri broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the eighth and Andrew Johnston pitched the ninth to pick up his first save of the year.
Rex Brothers (1-0, 0.00) picked up the win in his first Triple-A appearance pitching 1.1 innings with 2 strikeouts while consistently displaying a fastball in the high 90′s.
The game was a significant departure from the slugfest in game one of the series. The Sox utilized a small ball approach, accruing three sacrifice bunts, two sacrifice flies, and three stolen bases as they scratched their way to five runs.
After combining for 16 extra-base hits in the opener, the two teams would collect only 12 total hits, all singles, in game two.
All three of Tucson’s runs were unearned as the Sox committed three errors, including two on throws by first baseman Mike Jacobs.
The Sox will look to start their first wining streak of the year as they face Tucson in game three of the series at 1:05 pm today. Clayton Mortensen (NR) will make his first start for the Sky Sox against Josh Geer (NR)
Sox Scribbles:
- Former New York Yankee, San Diego Padre, and Wasson High School Alumni Goose Gossage was in attendance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch Friday night.
- In two games this series, the teams have combined to make four errors a piece
- Sox outfielder Cole Garner is 4-of-7 with four RBI and two runs scored after two games this season. Dating back to August 14th of last year, he has hit safely in 22 of his last 26 games while hitting .433 (42-97) over that stretch with eight doubles, three triples, four home runs, 24 runs scored and 21 RBI
Sox Scribbles – Opening Day 2011 Recap
The Sky Sox lost their home opener Thursday by the robust score of 18-14. Lets empty the notebook and look at some of the highlights and tidbits from the night that was.
- The game marked the highest scoring season opener in Sky Sox history (home or away). The previous high was a 13-10 home opening loss to the now defunct Edmonton Trappers on April 6th, 1995.
- At 3:56 the game fell 6 minutes shy of the all-time high for a nine inning Sky Sox home game and 4 minutes shy of being the fifth 4-hour nine inning home game in Sox history.
- Two players collected their first ever Triple-A hits and both did it with the long ball. Jordan Pacheco connected on a solo home run in the fourth and Charlie Blackmon smacked a two-run shot off the scoreboard in the fifth.
- Every Tucson starter had at least one hit in the game and seven had two or more.
- Every Sox starter except Chris Nelson had at least one hit or reached base once.
- Tucson second baseman Logan Forsythe, who hit only three home runs in 392 at-bats last season hit two in seven at-bats last night. He also walked four times.
- The Sky Sox scored at least one run in eight of nine innings.
- On the night, the two teams combined for 32 runs, 38 hits, 16 walks, and 23 men left on base.
- The game featured 86 at-bats and 392 total pitches, for an average of 4.6 pitchers per at-bat.
All told, it was a wild way to begin the season. The Sox will try to get in the win column tonight as last season’s wins leader Alan Johnson takes the bump against Tucson’s Wil Inman. First pitch is at 5:05 pm MT.
Sky Sox Opening Day 2011
Opening Day 2011 has arrived, a tradition that’s as American as apple pie.
It’s such a special day for fans because it marks the beginning of a new baseball season, the chance for new memories to be made every night, warm days, comfortable nights, and the hope that this will be “our year”.
The 2011 season will begin with veteran pitcher John Maine taking the bump for the Sox against lefty Wade LeBlanc for Tucson.
This is the first ever game for the Tucson Padres as the new Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
Sky Sox fans will remember previous incarnations of PCL teams in Tucson with the Toros through ’97 and the Sidewinders from ’98-’08.
Be sure to check out the action all season long as the Sky Sox look capture their third PCL Championship!
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