Quick Scribbles: Pena Ready Sunday Matinee from Werner Park

Ariel Pena returns to the mound for the second time with the Sky Sox. He pitched three-scoreless in his 2016 debut with Colorado Springs. (Photo: Bobby Stevens/MiLB.com)

Riding high from Friday’s 8-7 walk-off win over the Sounds, the Sky Sox cruised into Omaha and opened up a 4-0 lead in the first inning against the division’s top team. The advantage increased to 6-0 with a two-run third, but that’s where the fairy tale ends…The Storm Chasers lived up to their name and scored 9 unanswered runs en route to the 11-9 victory.

The Sox had another huge offensive night led by Hernan Perez and Manny Pina who collectively went 6-for-9 with 5 runs scores, a double, home run and 5 RBI. John Lannan started the tilt for Omaha, but was bailed out by his offense and picked up the win going 6-innings. Hiram Burgos took the loss for the Sox. Quick Hits from last night can be found below, after the preview of today’s game.

Today’s Game Notes / Listen Live at 12:30 MDT

Colorado Springs Sky Sox (7-8) at Omaha Storm Chasers (11-6) – 1:05 p.m. – Werner Park, Papillion, Nebraska

Pitching Matchup: RHP Ariel Pena (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Luke Farrell (1-0, 2.51)

Sky Sox Pitcher: RHP Ariel Pena is set to make his second start with the Sky Sox and just his third appearance on the 2016 season overall. The righty began the season in the Brewers bullpen and pitched on Opening Day. He lasted 1 2/3 innings and was tagged for back-to-back-to-back homers by the Giants’ Denard Span, Joe Panik, and Buster Posey. After not pitching for two weeks, Pena came back and threw three scoreless innings against the Sounds in game two of Wednesday’s doubleheader. He allowed one hit and struck out two Sounds.

The 26-year old appeared in 43 games (7 starts) with the Sky Sox in 2015 and went 2-2 with a 4.14 ERA.

2016 Game Log:

Storm Chasers Pitcher: RHP Luke Farrell has been a solid starter for the Storm Chasers through his first three outings. The son of Red Sox Manager John Farrell is 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 11 hits, 6 walks, and 14 strikeouts in his first Triple-A season. The righty was selected by the Royals in the 6th round of the 2013 draft out of Northwestern University.

Through his first three-plus seasons in professional baseball, Farrell is 11-19 with a 4.47 ERA in 64 appearances (53 starts) He has yet to face the Sky Sox in his career. His best outing in 2016 came on April 13 against the Express. He brought home the win with 5 2/3 innings

2016 Game Log:

Dan Karcher (@SkySoxKarch) continues his 27^th season behind the mic for Sky Sox games, he’ll have the call of the first pitch from Werner Park tonight at 1:05 p.m. I’ll be firing up Sky Sox Warmup at at 12:30 MDT on XTRA Sports 1300.

QUICK HITS FROM YESTERDAY

Hitting Notes:

In their last three games the Sox have cashed in 25 runs on 42 hits, but are just 1-2 during that stretch. They are hitting .268 as a ballclub which is good enough for 6th in the PCL.

Manny Pina continues to impress and be the driving force behind the Sky Sox success offensively. He added another three hits and four RBI last night. He hit his first home run of the season in the defeat. Over his last 10 games the catcher is hitting a cool .378 (14-for-37) with the homer and 13 RBI.

Hernan Perez isn’t too far behind Pina at the dish. The infielder went 3-for-5 with 3 runs scored, a double, and an RBI. In his last 10 games, Perez is hitting .436 (17-for38) with a homer and 11 RBI.

Jake Elmore has been one of my favorite players to watch this season and he had a big night last night too. He went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI.

Michael Reed went 1-for-4 and worked a walk in the loss, which extended his on-base streak to 25 games in the PCL dating back to August 27, 2015.

Andy Wilkins picked up two doubles, two RBI and upped his average to .156 in the loss.

Pitching Notes:

Austin Ross got the spot start due to unforeseen circumstances at Denver International Airport, which held Hiram Burgos back for a little. Ross pitched two scoreless innings and got out of a self-induced bases loaded jam in the first inning.

Hiram Burgos did make it to Werner Park and a tough day only got worse for the righty. Following his travel issues, the righty entered the game and pitched three innings, but was tagged for 9 runs on 8 hits, he walked two and struck out three.

Play of the Game: Manny Pina’s first home run with the Sky Sox!