Eric Young, Jr. tallied a triple, collected another stolen base and inched closer to Trenidad Hubbard’s career marks in the Sky Sox 12-8 loss to New Orleans. (Bobby Stevens/MiLB.com)
The Sky Sox rolled into the Independence Day Spectacular riding a five-game win streak and sat three games above .500 for the first time since 2014. All of that set the stage for a great night on the field, however, New Orleans had other plans as they spoiled the sold out night at Security Service Field by taking the series finale 12-8. Jeremy Guthrie and Josh Hader started the ballgame for the Zs and Sox respectively and the night didn’t go particularly well for either one of them. Hader gave up four runs over the first two innings and Guthrie three in the first in what was a barn burner from the get-go.
New Orleans led 4-3 entering the fourth and increased its advantage with another pair against the lefty. That’s when the Sky Sox bounced back for five runs in the next half inning. With one out, Hader helped himself with a single and was backed up by a Kyle Wren single before Eric Young, Jr. laced a triple to right, which made it 6-5. Orlando Arcia tied with a ground ball to third before Andy Wilkins singled in front of Josmil Pinto homered to give the Sox the 8-6 lead. That would be all of the offense the Sox would get however, but the Zs weren’t done. They bounced back with a five-run inning of their own in the fifth and Xavier Scruggs hit his second homer of the game as a an exclamation point in the 8th. Guthrie drove in two runs at the plate and got the win despite giving up eight runs over five innings.
Hitting Notes –
The Sky Sox scored their 8 runs on 14 hits and hitters 1-6 each tallied a multi-hit affair. The Sox out hit the Zephyrs 14-13 despite being outscored 12-8.
Nate Orf picked up a 3-for-5 night at the dish and tallied a two-bagger in the defeat. Oddly enough he did not score one of the runs despite being on base three times.
Josmil Pinto continued his exceptionally hot stretch with a 2-for-4 night, which included a two-run homer, two runs scored, and three RBI. He’s now upped his average to .356.
Andy Wilkins went 2-for-5 with an RBI triple and two runs scored. He picked up the second triple of his season and the sixth of his career in the first inning.
Orlando Arcia had a good night at the plate and picked up two hits in five trips. He tallied an RBI on a ground out, doubled in the first and scored a run.
Eric Young, Jr. went 2-for-5 with a triple, two RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. His three bagger was his 21st career triple with the Sky Sox. He now stands alone in second place and is four triples behind Trenidad Hubbard’s career-mark of 25. He also stole his 96th career bag with the Sox inching him closer to Hubbard’s mark of 104.
Kyle Wren picked up two hits and a run a day after his 15-game hitting streak was snapped.
Pitching Notes –
Josh Hader turned in his second rough start at home in a row. The lefty pitched into the fifth, but could not record an out in the frame. He didn’t take the loss, thanks to his offense, but gave up a career-high 8 runs (7 earned) on 8 hits, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts. He threw 96 pitches, 60 for strikes. His home numbers now go 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA in 13 innings pitched.
Drew Gagnon gave the Sox a serviceable three innings, but took the loss allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, 3 walks, and 1 strikeout.
Sam Freeman gave up a run on Scruggs’ second homer of the game in his one inning of work.
Austin Ross pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out one.
Play of the Game –
Josmil Pinto stepped in with a runner on and the game tied 6-6 in the fourth inning. He hammered the first pitch he saw from Guthrie and put it over the wall in left field for a two run homer and gave the Sky Sox the 8-6 lead. He now has four homers on the season and was retired only twice in the three games he played during the series.
Pregame Interview with New Orleans lefty Craig Breslow (Pt. 2) –
Thanks for reading – See you on the radio,
Dan
Colorado Springs Sky Sox Official Team Blog 