RHP Jorge Lopez looks to cap off his month of April with a great start tonight against the Iowa Cubs. (Photo: Bobby Stevens/MiLB.com)
The Sky Sox escaped Omaha with the 11-9 victory over the Storm Chasers in the final game of the four-game series Tuesday. Following yesterday’s off day, the Sox are ready to resume action with the opener of a four-game series against the Iowa Cubs tonight at Principle Park in Des Moines. RHP Jorge Lopez looks to put his top pitching prospect status on display and will toe the slab against the Cubs’ RHP Ryan Williams.
Keeping tabs on the offense over the last six games…The Sky Sox have banged out 77 hits and plated 45 runs, but the pitching has lacked giving up 59 runs in the last seven tilts.
Before we dive into today’s game the Brewers and Sky Sox have announced a few roster moves:
SUMMARY:
ADD: RHP Drew Gagnon transferred from Double-A Biloxi
C Adam Weisenburger transferred from Helena
DEL: INF Hernan Perez transferred to the Milwaukee Brewers
LHP Mitch Lambson placed on the disabled list
Perez made his debut with the Brewers today against the Cubs as part of a double switch and went 1-for-3 with a single.
Today’s Game Notes / Listen Live at 5:00 MDT / Lineups
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (8-10) at Iowa Cubs (7-11) – 5:38 p.m. – Principal Park, Des Moines, Iowa
Pitching Matchup: RHP Jorge Lopez (0-0, 7.94) vs. RHP Ryan Williams (1-1, 4.85 )
Sky Sox Pitcher: RHP Jorge Lopez has struggled a touch out of the gate to the tune of a 0-0 record and a 7.94 ERA through his first three starts. He certainly has demonstrated his STUFF that put him at the top of the food chain, but hasn’t been able to put it all together in one start. The biggest hardship that the righty has faced is his command as he’s given 11 free passes (10 walks, 1 HBP) in 11 1/3 innings. He has delivered 80 or more pitches in each one of his starts, but has yet to make it out of the 5th and has completed four innings just once.
Lopez last worked at home against the Sounds on April 22. He was matched up against lefty Sean Manaea in the battle of the Brewers and A’s top pitching prospects. Lopez worked 3-plus frames and gave up 4 runs on 6 hits, 4 walks, and 4 strikeouts. He tossed 80 pitches 41 for strikes. Tonight he’ll face the league’s 4th-best offense which is hitting .282.
2016 Game Log:
I-Cubs Pitcher: RHP Ryan Williams is set to throw for the I-Cubs tonight. The righty is rated to be the Cubs’ No. 19 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and has really come out of nowhere since being drafted as a senior out of East Carolina in 2014. He began his career as a reliever, but moved to a starter in his second year of pro ball. He’s 17-5 with a 2.23 ERA in 40 games (27 starts) through his 2-plus pro seasons.
Williams’ last outing was decent as he earned the win against the Zephyrs with 5-scoreless innings in which he allowed 3 hits, 5 walks (1 was an IBB), and struck out 3. He tossed 88 pitches, 57 of which were strikes. Opponents are hitting .313 against the righty from Morgan Hill, California.
2016 Game Log:
Dan Karcher (@SkySoxKarch) continues his 27th season behind the mic for Sky Sox games, he’ll have the call of the first pitch from Principle Park at 5:38 p.m. I’ll be firing up Sky Sox Warmup at at 5:00 MDT on XTRA Sports 1300.
Brewers Family Roundup
The Brewers finished up their series this afternoon and had the tall task of facing Jake Arrieta…They fell 7-2 to the Cubbies and dropped to 8-13 on the season…Former Sky Sox OF Alex Presley drove in both runs of the BrewCrew…The Shuckers had the night off last night and are set to open a 5-game home series against the Tennessee Smokies tonight at MGM Park…RHP Adrian Houser is slated to take the hill against LHP Rob Zastryzny of the Cubs’ Double-A affiliate…Biloxi holds a 2.5 game lead in the Southern League’s Southern Division with a 14-5 record…The Manatees had their losing streak extended to nine games with a 7-6 10-inning loss to the Lakeland Flying Tigers…CF Johnny Davis went 3-for-5 with 3 RBI in he loss…Wisconsin picked up its fourth straight win with a 4-2 victory over the Loons…SS Isan Diaz went 2-for-5 with 2 RBI.
Thanks for reading! See you on the radio,
Dan
Colorado Springs Sky Sox Official Team Blog 