Elevate and Celebrate! Michael Reed connects for a grand slam in the first inning of Tuesday’s tilt against the Zephyrs. (Bobby Stevens/MiLB.com)
The Sky Sox and Zephyrs enjoyed an off day Monday thanks to Mother Nature and it certainly paid off for the Sox bats at least. Colorado Springs plated six runs on seven hits in the first inning and cruised to a 13-5 win over New Orleans in the first game of a rain-shortened three-game homestand. Michael Reed put the Sky Sox up 5-0 in the first with his second grand slam of the season and the Sky Sox ninth of the year, a franchise record. Aaron Wilkerson helped himself out with an RBI single in the first, a hit that turned out to be the game winner. New Orleans picked up three runs in the second, but the Sox staff went to work and retired 15 batters in a row through the middle innings. The home team REALLY put it out of reach with a five-run third. Wilkerson again helped himself with an RBI single and Garin Cecchini and Andy Wilkins connected for two-run hits in the frame. Two more runs crossed on sac flies and the Zs bounced back with two runs late, but that was it. Wilkerson earned his second win with the Sox thanks to five strong innings and Dylan Axelrod, who gave up 11 runs on 12 hits, took the loss.
Hitting Notes –
The Sky Sox notched 2 runs on 14 hits combined in their last three games, but erased those thoughts real quick with 13 runs on 17 hits in the series opener. Everyone in the starting lineup had a hit and five gents picked up multiple hit games, including the pitcher Aaron Wilkerson.
Michael Reed went 1-for-5 at the plate with a grand slam, sac fly, and five RBI. The slam was his eighth homer of the season and his second with the bases loaded. It marked the ninth Sox Slam this season, a franchise record.
Andy Wilkins snapped a long 0-fer streak with a 1-for-3 performance in which the one was a double off the wall to the left of center. He narrowly missed the third grand slam of his season by maybe two feet. He scored two runs, drove in a pair, and walked twice.
Josmil Pinto had one of two three-hit games for the Sox. He had a double, a walk, and two runs scored in the 13-run attack.
Kyle Wren proved to be a worthy table-setter and once again reached four times with three hits and a walk. He scored a run as well.
Aaron Wilkerson doubled his career hit total with a 2-for-3 night at the dish. He added two RBI and scored a run of his own, while picking up the win on the mound.
Yadiel Rivera hit the eighth triple of his season and drove in and scored a run.
Ramon Flores went 1-for-4 with a run scored in his home debut and Eric Young, Jr. was a late substitution and went 1-for-2.
Pitching Notes –
Aaron Wilkerson was really the star of the night on both sides of the score sheet. You know what he did at the plate, but on the mound he went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, 2 walks and struck out four. He improved to 2-5 with the victory and his ERA sits at 6.08 after 10 starts with the Sky Sox. He threw 96 pitches, 61 of which went for strikes.
Stephen Peterson dismissed the Zephyrs in order in his lone inning of work and picked up a strikeout.
Ben Rowen was called upon for two innings and gave up his first runs as a Sky Sox with two in his second inning of work. He finished allowing five hits and striking out four.
Brooks Hall pitched a perfect ninth.
Play of the Game –
Michael Reed’s Grand Slam –
Pregame Interview with Dan Karcher and NO H/C Paul Phillips Pt. 2 –
Thanks for reading – See you on the radio,
Dan
Colorado Springs Sky Sox Official Team Blog 