The Sky Sox and Zephyrs found themselves in an old-fashioned pitchers’ duel Tuesday night with both Hiram Burgos and Dylan Axelrod making strong starts for their respective ballclubs. Unfortunately for Colorado Springs, they fell on the wrong side of the 1-0 tilt, as New Orleans notched a run in the fourth inning. Burgos went a season-high 6 2/3 innings and allowed the run on five hits, while his counterpart Axelrod went 5 2/3-scoreless innings in which he allowed four hits and a walk, while striking out 7 Sox.

Colorado Springs looks to even the series against the New Orleans Zephyrs this morning in the Big Easy. RHP Ariel Pena is coming off of the best performance of his season and looks to build upon the 4-inning outing he had on Friday against the Dodgers. Lefty and former Milwaukee Brewer Chris Narveson will toe the slab for the Zephyrs in his fourth appearance (second start) in the PCL, he’s made six appearances with the Marlis this season as well. Colorado Springs enters play today, alongside the Reno Aces, with the worst record in the league at 12-18.

Today’s game is the second of a brief four-game road trip. The Sky Sox return to Security Service Field for an eight game, nine-day homestand on Saturday. The Salt Lake Bees (Angels) will visit for the first four games, while the Las Vegas 51s (Mets) will swing through on the back half. Read about the upcoming homestand HERE.

Today’s Game Notes / Listen Live at 9:30 MDT / Lineups 

Colorado Springs Sky Sox (12-18) at New Orleans Zephyrs (15-16) – 10:00 a.m. – Zephyr Field – Metairie, Louisiana

Pitching Matchup: RHP Ariel Pena (0-0, 5.91) at LHP Chris Narveson (0-0, 2.25)

Sky Sox Pitcher: RHP Ariel Pena is coming off of his best outing in 2016 after he went four-full innings and allowed just one unearned run on 6 hits, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. In four starts with the Sky Sox, Pena is 0-0 with a 5.91 ERA. In 10 2/3 innings he’s allowed 8 runs (7 earned) on 15 hits, 8 walks and 10 strikeouts. He began the season in the bullpen of the Brewers and made an appearance on Opening Day in which he allowed back-to-back-to-back homers to Denard Span, Joe Panik, and Buster Posey. The 26-year old is 64-48 witha  3.79 ERA in 217 MiLB games and 2-1 with a  5.59 ERA in 7 MLB games.

Last Time Out: 5/6/16 vs. OKC Dodgers – Pena went four innings and allowed an unearned run on six-scattered hits, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. He threw a season-high 72 pitches, 43 for strikes. It rivals his first outing with the Sox as his best where he went three-scoreless against the Sounds on 4/20 at Security Service Field.

2016 Game Log:

Zephyrs Pitcher: LHP Chris Narveson gets set to make his fourth appearance with New Orleans (2nd start), and his 10th of the season after beginning the season with in the Marlins’ bullpen where he compiled a 1-0 record with an 8.64 ERA. In eight -PCL innings, the former Brewer has allowed two runs on 6 hits, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. His last outing was his longest, one in which he went four innings and threw 62 pitches. Originally selected by the Cardinals in the 2nd round of the 2000 draft, Narveson made his MLB debut with the Cards in 2006. He spent five years with the BrewCrew and went 26-18 with a 4.65 ERA from 2009-2013. He features a 4-seamer, cutter, change, and curve.

Last Time Out: 5/6/16 at Round Rock – Narveson went a season-high four frames and allowed two runs on four hits, he did not walk anyone and struck out 3 hitters. He threw 62 pitches, 41 of which crossed the zone for strikes. The lefty obviously knows how to pitch and looks to keep the ball down. Opponents are now hitting .194 against the lefty who has a 1.38 GO/AO ratio through his first three outings this season.

2016 Game Log:

Dan Karcher (@SkySoxKarch) continues his 27^th season behind the mic for Sky Sox games, he will  have the call of the first pitch of today’s matinee from Zephyr Field at 10:00 a.m. I will get Sky Sox Warmup (more like wake up) going at 9:30 MDT on XTRA Sports 1300.

Quick Hits from yesterday’s game

Hitting Notes:

Orlando Arcia had the big night offensively for the Sky Sox going 2-for-4 at the plate. He collected the lone multi-hit game for Colorado Springs and was one of two hitters that reached twice.

Andy Wilkins went 0-for-2, but reached base twice via walks.

Keon Broxton did not start the game, but due to an apparent injury to starting centerfielder Michael Reed, Broxton was forced to enter. He extended his hitting streak to 9 games with a single and swiped his 12th bag of the season.

Pitching Notes:

Hiram Burgos continued his strong stretch of starts and pitched into the 7th inning last night. Over his 6 2/3 innings the veteran righty gave up a run on five hits, two walks and a season-high seven strikeouts. Burgos threw 84 pitches, 58 for strikes in the longest outing of his season.

David Goforth was the lone reliever used by the Sky Sox as he wrapped up the seventh and recorded all three outs in the eighth. It was the first appearance for the righty after being optioned to Colorado Springs by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Play of the Game:

Orlando Arcia did it again…Destin Hood hit a ground ball up the middle, the 21-year old shortstop ranged to his left, gloved it, and made a perfect throw to first to get his man. The range, aptitude, and accuracy Arcia shows in the field continues to be amazing day in and day out.

Pregame Interview with Dan Karcher and Sky Sox reliever Austin Ross:

 

Thanks for reading – See you on the radio,

Dan

@Dan_Acheson