I don’t get it and nor do you. Are we starting to expect it? Maybe. These Sky Sox will not go away and it is just incredible. Last night the Storm Chasers plated three runs in the first and two in the fifth, all against Tim Dillard, and looked to be well on their way to a win in the second game of the series. Colorado Springs looked listless at the plate and on their way to their ninth shutout loss of the season. BUT that was just over the first six innings. In true Sky Sox fashion, the comeback started with a pair of runs in the seventh thanks to a bunt single and throwing error by the Omaha catcher Parker Morin which allowed EY to score from first. Michael Reed followed with an RBI single which pulled the Sox to within three at 5-2. Josmil Pinto connected for a two-run homer in the eighth to make it 5-4 Omaha. It was the first home home run for the Sox since May 22nd against Las Vegas, but not the final one of the night.

Down by one in the ninth, the Sox fired up another rally. Kyle Wren hit a dribbler to short that was missed by the shortstop Ramon Torres and he ended up at second. Orlando Arcia picked up an infield single and Andy Wilkins was intentionally walked to set up a righty-righty matchup as Will Middlebrooks stepped to the plate. The Colorado Springs third baseman wasn’t waiting around against rookie reliever Kevin McCarthy and took the first pitch he saw, a fastball, wellllll over the wall in left for a walk-off grand slam. The Sox won 8-5 thanks to the blast and it’s just the fourth walk-off granny in franchise history, first since 1999.

It marks the 10th win for Colorado Springs when trailing after seven innings this season. That is the most in all of full-season professional baseball (MLB included) and matches the Sox PCL-high of 10 wins from last year.

Elevate and celebrate my friend. Elevate. And. Celebrate. – Video courtesy of Sky Sox PR Assistant Aaron Cheris –

You can find the Quick Hits portion of this blog below.

FULL RECAP HERE

Before we dive in to this Sunday afternoon affair, the Brewers and Sky Sox have announced the following transactions:

SUMMARY:
DEL: RHP Michael Blazek transferred to Milwaukee (End MLB Rehab)
RHP Zack Jones returns to Minnesota Twins organization (Rule 5)

Today, the Sky Sox look to take the series lead over the Storm Chasers with a victory in the third of a four-game series. In hopes of doing so, Colorado Springs will send Brent Suter to the mound against righty Alec Mills, who is set to make his Triple-A debut. Suter, the versatile lefty will make his 14th trip to the mound and 8th start for the Sox, he’s 1-3 with a 3.90 ERA on the season. Mills is 1-2 with a 2.39 ERA in 12 Double-A starts with Northwest Arkansas and 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA in one MLB outing, his debut coming on 5/18/2016.  The Sox are 6-4 this season against Omaha, 45-52 at home, and 76-113 all-time against the Storm Chasers.

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Today’s Game Notes / Listen Live at 1:00 MDT / Lineups 

Colorado Springs Sky Sox (30-34) vs. Omaha Storm Chasers (29-38) – 1:35 p.m. – Security Service Field – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Pitching Matchup: LHP Brent Suter (1-3, 3.90) vs. RHP Alec Mills (Triple-A debut)

Sky Sox Pitcher: Lefty Brent Suter is ready to fill the role of starter for the eighth time in 2016 when he climbs the hill this afternoon at Security Service Field. Suter is 1-3 with a save and a 3.90 ERA allowing 24 runs on 65 hits, 7 walks, and 39 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings. Opponents in the PCL are hitting .311 against the southpaw from Cincinnati. The Harvard graduate is 1-1 with a 3.30 ERA in seven home appearances and 1-3 with a 4.58 ERA as a starter. His last eight outings have been spectacular as he is 1-1-1 with a 1.14 ERA allowing 4 earned runs on 26 hits in 31 2/3 innings. Suter was selected by the Brewers in the 31st round out of Harvard University. In 105 career minor-league outings, the lefty is 30-29 with 3 saves and a 3.41 ERA covering five seasons.

Last Time Out: 6/14/16 vs. Iowa – Suter came out of the bullpen in the CRAZY first game of the doubleheader against Iowa on Tuesday. He pitched two scoreless innings gave up a pair of hits, one walk, and struck out three. He threw 40 pitches, 23 for strikes in a game the Sky Sox used a record 21 players, 10 pitchers, and won 6-5.

Last 10 games with the Sky Sox:

Storm Chasers Pitcher: Righty Alec Mills is set to make his Triple-A debut this afternoon against the Sky Sox, and what a place to do it! Mills has 12 Double-A outings and 1 MLB appearance under his belt here in 2016. With Northwest Arkansas he went 1-2 with a 2.39 ERA allowing 19 runs (18 earned) on 57 hits, 12 walks, and 68 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings. Opponents in the Texas League were hitting .234 against the Tennessee native at the time of his call up. His MLB debut came on May 18 against the Red Sox. He recorded two outs and gave up a run on a hit, a hit batter, and two walks. Mills was selected by the Royals in the 22nd round of the 2012 draft out of the University of Tennessee-Martin. In five MiLB seasons he is 15-19 with 9 saves and a 2.83 ERA in 82 games, 56 of which have been starts.

Last Time Out: 6/13/16 at Arkansas – Mills ended his Double-A tenure with an outstanding outing. He went seven scoreless against the Travelers allowed a measly two hits, issued no free passes and struck out a season-high 11 hitters. He threw 90 pitches, 62 for strikes and did not record a decision in a game the Naturals ended up losing 3-2.

2016 Game Log (w/NWA) –

Dan Karcher (@SkySoxKarch) continues his 27^th season behind the mic for Sky Sox games, he and I will have the call of tonight’s game from Security Service Field at 1:35 p.m. Sky Sox Warmup will get off and running at 1:05 MDT on XTRA Sports 1300.

Quick Hits from the 8-5 Walk-Off Win – 

Hitting Notes

The Sky Sox scored their 8 runs on 15 hits, including two home runs. They had not hit a home run at home since Michael Reed’s 2-run blast against Las Vegas on May 22 and hadn’t had a multi-homer game at Security Service Field since May 3 when Keon Broxton and Andy Wilkins left the yard against Round Rock. It was just the second two-HR game at home for the Sox this season.

Will Middlebrooks continues to perform well for the Sky Sox and stepped in with the bases loaded, two outs in the ninth and picked on the first pitch he saw from Kevin McCarthy and hit it out t left for a walk-off grand slam. It was the eighth homer of the season for WMB and his second grand slam.

Josmil Pinto extended his hitting streak to eight with a double in the fifth inning and pulled the Sox to within one at 5-4 with a 2-run homer in the 8th inning.

Kyle Wren set the table nicely for the Sky Sox and went 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored in the 8-5 win.

Michael Reed followed suit with a three-hit performance as well. Although he did not score a run, he picked up an RBI in the comeback win.

Garin Cecchini went 2-for-4 with a double and Eric Young, Jr. picked up the other multiple hit game for the Sky Sox going 2-for-3 with a walk and run scored.

Pitching Notes – 

Tim Dillard went out and gave the Sox all he had and completed 4 2/3 innings allowing 5 runs on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. he threw 84 pitches, 57 for strikes and did not record a decision.

Sam Freeman stepped in in relief of Dillard and spun 2 1/3 scoreless innings, limiting the Chasers to 3 hits, a walk and one strikeout.

Damien Magnifico was the third and final pitcher used by Rick Sweet. He went two scoreless, allowed two hits, struck out one, and earned his third win of the season.

Play of the Game – (You already know what it is)

Pregame Interview with Dan Karcher and Josh Hader – 

Thanks for reading – See you on the radio,

Dan

@Dan_Acheson