Jorge Lopez takes his second spin on the mound at Security Service Field tonight against LHP Sean Manaea and the Sounds. (Photo: Bobby Stevens/MiLB.com)

If there ever was a can’t-miss pitching matchup on paper, tonight’s at Security Service Field would surely be it. The Sky Sox are set to send RHP Jorge Lopez to the hill against Nashville’s LHP Sean Manaea in the battle of the Brewers and A’s top pitching prospects both of which made their Triple-A debut this season. The Friday-night affair also gives the Sox an opportunity to split the series with the Sounds and get back to .500. It’s going to be a beautiful night at the ballpark so come on out, catch a great game, and stay for the postgame fireworks! First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.

Today’s Game Notes / Listen Live at 6:00 MDT

Colorado Springs Sky Sox (6-7) vs. Nashville Sounds (7-7) – 6:35 p.m. – Security Service Field

Pitching Matchup: RHP Jorge Lopez (0-0, 6.48) vs. LHP Sean Manaea (2-0, 1.50 ERA)

Sky Sox Pitcher: RHP Jorge Lopez  (MLBPipeline’s No. 3 Brewers Prospect) hasn’t gotten off on the best foot in 2016, but is set to make his third start of the season tonight, his second at home. Lopez’s first two starts came against Memphis in which he totaled a combined 8 1/3 innings and allowed 6 runs on 11 hits, 6 walks, and 8 strikeouts. The righty started the home opener on Friday and logged 4 2/3 innings throwing 86 pitches on the cold and wintery night, 47 of which crossed the strikezone. Walks have certainly been his bugaboo as he has allowed seven free passes (6 walks, 1 hit batter) in his starts this season.

Tonight he faces a team not named the Redbirds for the first time this season. Let’s hope that combined with the fact that he’s got a start at Security Service Field Under his belt will lead to better things for Lopez!

2016 Game Log:

Sounds Pitcher: LHP Sean Manaea (MLBPipeline’s No. 2 Athletics Prospect) takes his third turn in the rotation for the Sounds and gets his second start against the Sky Sox. On April 11, the southpaw earned the win against Colorado Springs at First Tennessee Park tallying 5 1/3 innings, allowing 1 run on four hits, 0 walks and 6 strikeouts. He bettered that outing his next time out against the Dodgers, pitching into the seventh innings, giving up 1 run on 6 hits, walking 2 and striking out 11 opposing batters. The 11 K game ranks third in his career behind a 13-strikeout performance on 9/3/15 and 12 Ks on 8/29/14.

This is Manaea’s first full year in the Oakland system after he was acquired from the Royals in the deal that sent Ben Zobrist to Kansas City.

2016 Game Log:

We hope to see you out at the park today, but if you can’t make it, tune in! Dan Karcher (@SkySoxKarch) continues his 27^th season behind the mic for Sky Sox games, I’m along side him for the home games and we’ll have the call this evening from Security Service Field. Coverage begins with Sky Sox Warmup at 6:00 on XTRA Sports 1300.

Brewers Family Report:

The Brewers fell 8-1 to the Twins in the final game of the four-game series dubbed the “Border Battle”…Ryan Braun picked up the lone RBI with a double in the first that plated Domingo Santana…Alex Presley pinch hit and picked up a single in the loss…Milwaukee hosts the Phillies in the first of their weekend series tonight at Miller Park and will send former Sky Sox RHP Zach Davies to the hill…Biloxi won its fourth straight game in 1-0 fashion of the Wahoos…The Shuckers are now 11-3 on the season…LHP Wei-Chung Wang earned the win and tossed five scoreless innings…Tyrone Taylor‘s solo homer in the 3rd was the difference in the tilt…Brevard County lost its fourth straight and sit at 3-12 through the first 15 games of the season…The Flying Tigers got to the Manatees 4-1 and held the Sea Cows to just 2 hits…Wisconsin was blanked 3-0 by the Chiefs and fell for the third straight time…LHP Drake Owenby was the bright spot as he pitched three scoreless innings of relief allowing one hit and striking out five.

See you on the radio,

Dan

@Dan_Acheson