For the sixth straight game, the Sky Sox jumped out to an early lead, and for the second time in a row they scored late too and won, this time 4-2 over the El Paso Diablos. No, no not a new team, all of the same players and such were still there, but a special theme day on Wednesdays in El Paso is when they pay tribute to the Double-A team that was there for many years, the Diablos. I have to admit, the jerseys were wicked sharp.

Colorado Springs did some two-out damage in the first, thanks to a Lewis Brinson walk and Brett Phillips double, which made it 1-0. Nate Orf singled to right and Phillips scored to make it 2-0.

Angel Ventura was called up from Double-A Biloxi and made the start in Yesterday’s game and was good out of the gate, tossing a scoreless first. It was a different story in the second however as back-to-back singles and an error by Phillips put two in scoring position with nobody out. A ground out and two bagger later, the game was tied 2-2. That would be all allowed by the right-hander in his Triple-A debut as he rounded his outing out with four scoreless frames.

Tyrell Jenkins settled into a groove for the Diablos and didn’t allow another run until the seventh, where he was tagged for two more on a fielding error by his left fielder and RBI single off the bat of Rene Garcia which made it the final score of 4-2.

Game Recap Here

Hitting Notes – 

The Sox picked up the four runs on five hits from three guys. They also walked four times.

Nate Orf had three of the five hits, a double a two singles, and tallied an RBI and run scored.

Brett Phillips had an RBI double.

Rene Garcia’s RBI single was the fifth hit for Colorado Springs.

Pitching Notes – 

A day after a 4:05 game that was started by a reliever and featured six Sky Sox pitchers, they needed a big day from their arms and they got one. Colorado Springs only needed three arms to lock down the win.

Angel Ventura went the first six and limited the Diablos to two runs on seven hits. He walked one, struck out four and threw 81 pitches, 53 of which went for strikes.

Tristan Archer was first out of the ‘pen and went two scoreless innings, striking out two.

Tyler Cravy locked down the save with a scoreless ninth, his first save of the year.

Now…you may ask “Why on earth did they call up a AA pitcher instead of throwing Paolo Espino?!” Here’s why!!!!!

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Manager Craig Counsell announces that RHP Paolo Espino will start tomorrow's game against the Cubs. Espino will be making his MLB debut. <a href=”https://t.co/I0Y7VQMtEZ”>pic.twitter.com/I0Y7VQMtEZ</a></p>&mdash; Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Brewers/status/865262472911089664″>May 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Congrats Paolo!!!!

Play of the Game – 

Brett Phillips’ RBI two-bagger

Pregame Interview with Dan Karcher and Fmr. SS PC Dyar Miller (pt. 3) –

Did you know… Both Colorado Springs and El Paso are located in El Paso counties, thus this series is the Battle of the El Paso County Cup! The Sky Sox won it last year two games to one and have a chance to retain the Cup with a win tonight. Let’s get to the preview.

Colorado Springs Sky Sox (23-12) vs. El Paso Chihuahuas (18-22) – 6:35 p.m.

Game Notes / Listen Live at 6:00 p.m.

RHP Brandon Woodruff (5-1, 2.77) at RHP Dinelson Lamet (2-2, 3.55)

Sky Sox Starter: Brandon Woodruff gets set to make his eighth start in 2017, third away from Security Service Field when he climbs the hill against the Chihuahuas this evening at Southwest University Park. He is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA on the road allowing 4 runs in 11 innings. . He faced the River Cats in his last start and had his worst outing of the season as he allowed five runs on six hits in four and two-third innings. In total he has allowed 14 runs (12 earned) on 32 hits, he has walked 9, struck out 34 and given up three homers. Woodruff has shown great command, held opponents to a .224 batting average against and has a 1.17 ground out to air out ratio. He has yet to face El Paso in his career.

The righty had a tremendous 2016 season in which he combined to go 14-9 with a 2.68 ERA in 28 starts between High-A Brevard County and Double-A Biloxi. He allowed 51 runs (47 earned) on 121 hits in 158 innings. He walked 40 and struck out a Minor League best 173 opposing hitters. Drafted by the Brewers in the 11th round of the 2014 draft out of Mississippi State, Woodruff has compiled a career record of 24-19 with a 3.01 ERA. He is rated as the 7th best prospect and the labeled as the pitcher with the best fastball in the Brewers organization.

Last Time Out – May 13 – Loss vs. Sacramento – 

Woodruff took the loss and didn’t make it out of the fifth inning for the first time this season. He allowed five runs on six hits, a homer, hit a batter, walked two and struck out four. He threw a season-high 94 pitches, 58 for strikes.

Chihuahuas Starting Arm: Right-hander Dinelson Lamet is set to square off against Woodruff and the Sky Sox in the series finale tonight. In seven PCL starts this season he’s compiled a 2-2 record with a 3.55 ERA, allowing 16 runs, 13 earned, on 27 hits in 33 innings. He’s walked 18 and struck out 41 hitters, while holding opponent hitters to a .223 batting average against. He’s been outstanding at Southwest University Park and is 2-0 with a 0.51 ERA in three starts, allowing 1 run on 12 hits in 17 2/3 innings.

Lamet was signed by the Padres out of the Dominican Republic in 2014 and has been on the fast track since. In 63 MiLB games, 59 starts, he’s 19-20 with a 3.02 ERA.