How ’bout it?! Runs! For the first time in four games the Sky Sox scored some runs! And for the first time in four games they outscored the Cubs and won the finale 7-3 at Principal Park. The win, combined with Oklahoma City’s 10-1 loss to Omaha brings the Sox magic number down to 11 ahead of the HUGEEEEEE series against the Dodgers beginning tonight at Security Service Field.

The Sox actually trailed 1-0, three batters into Friday’s game thanks to a double, sac bunt and sac fly. The Sox responded, as would be the theme of the night, in the next half inning. Chris Colabello singled, Nate Orf doubled and Nick Noonan drove them both home with a single to give the Sox a 2-1 lead.

That would be all the scoring for a while as both Michael Blazek, Pierce Johnson, and the bullpens settled in nicely. Blazek went the first four and allowed a run on three hits, Johnson the first three, allowing two runs on three hits, fanning seven. Brad Markey pitched in with three scoreless for the Cubs out of their pen, and Tristan Archer recored five scoreless outs for the Sox.

All was quiet until the seventh when the Cubs tied the game in familiar fashion…A double, a sac bunt and a sac fly, tie game 2-2. The Sox picked up the lead for good in the top of the eighth and the game was all but over following the four-run frame. Brett Phillips began the rally with a double and scored on Ivan De Jesus’ single. Rene Garcia picked up an RBI single and TWO runs scored on a strike out wild pitch to make it 6-2.

The two teams traded runs in the bottom of the eighth and top of the ninth and the final of 7-3 Sox was secured.

Game Story Here

Hitting Notes – 

The Sox scored their seven runs on eight hits and took advantage of two Iowa miscues en route to the victory. They didn’t pick up a multi-hit game, but had a number of players reach base more than once.

Brett Phillips led the charge with a hit, two walks and two runs scored. He pitched up a double in the win.

Chris Colabello had a hit, walked twice and scored a run.

Nick Noonan picked up two ribbies and scored a run with a hit.

Nate Orf double and scored a run.

Mauricio Dubon doubled.

Rene Garcia plated a run with a hit and scored a run.

Ivan De Jesus singled and scored a run.

Pitching Notes – 

Michael Blazek started the game for the Sox and went the first four innings and allowed a run on three hits, walked three and fanned one in his first appearance in 11 days.

Tristan Archer recorded five outs and allowed a hit while striking out four.

Andrew Barbosa gave up a run on a hit through two outs.

Tyler Cravy allowed a run in five outs and was charged with a blown save, but earned the win in relief for Colorado Springs.

Rob Scahill pitched a perfect ninth.

Play of the Game – 

Nick Noonan’s two-run single from the second inning!

Pregame Interview with Dan Karcher and Manager Rick Sweet – 

Colorado Springs Sky Sox (72-51) vs. Oklahoma City Dodgers (66-59) – 6:00 p.m. 

Game Notes / Listen Live at 5:30 p.m.

Pitching Probables: RHP Bubba Derby (3-0, 3.69) vs. RHP Eddie Gamboa (6-6, 6.01)

Sky Sox Starter: Right-hander Bubba Derby will make his tenth Triple-A start this evening in the opener of the four game series against the Dodgers. He has earned the win in three of his first nine outings with the Sox this season, including his last time out against the Baby Cakes. Overall with the Sox he’s allowed 21 runs (19 earned) on 39 hits in 46 1/3 innings. He’s walked 12 and fanned 35. In 18 games and two starts with Biloxi, Derby went 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA, allowing 16 runs on 40 hits in 50 innings. At home in the PCL, the righty is 2-0 in four starts with a 3.92 ERA.

Derby was selected by the Athletics in the sixth round of the 2015 draft out of San Diego State University and was acquired by the Brewers, along with catcher Jacob Nottingham, in the trade that sent Khris Davis to Oakland. In 67 MiLB outings, 46 starts, the righty is 12-15 with a 4.13 ERA.

Last Time Out – August 14 – Win vs. Baby Cakes –

Derby went the first five and two-third innings and held the Cakes to a run on three hits, it came on a solo homer off the bat of Brian Anderson. He hit a batter, walked one and fanned three on 76 pitches, 48 of which went for strikes.

Dodgers Starting Arm: Right-Hander Eddie Gamboa takes the hill for Oklahoma City in the opening game of the four-game series tonight in Colorado Springs. He enters play 6-6, 6.01 ERA in 17 PCL starts between the Express and Dodgers. He is 1-0 with a 3.78 ERA in three starts with Oklahoma City.  The righty has allowed 68 runs (63 earned) on 109 hits in 94 1/3 PCL innings. He’s allowed 16 homers, hit four batters, walked 47 and fanned 56. He faced the Sox back on June 7 at Security Service Field and earned the win allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits. He hit a batter, walked four and struck out three on 105 pitches, 60 of which went for strikes.

Gamboa was originally drafted by the Orioles in the 21st round of the 2008 draft out of UC Davis and has pitched for the Orioles, Rays and now Rangers organizations. He’s logged 257 MiLB appearances and is 64-63 with 10 saves and a 3.71 career ERA. He made seven bullpen appearances for the Rays a season ago and went 0-2 with a 1.35 ERA allowing 3 runs on 9 hits in 13 1/3 innings. He opted out of his contract with the Rangers on June 30 and was picked up by the Dodgers on July 1.

Last Time Out – August 14 – Win vs. Round Rock – 

Gamboa went the first six innings and limited Round Rock to three runs on five hits. He gave up a homer, hit a batter, walked another and struck out four on 99 pitches, 65 went for strikes.

Lineups

Dan Karcher (@SkySoxKarch) continues his 28^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 6:00 p.m. Sky Sox Warmup will get fired up at 5:30 p.m. MDT on XTRA Sports 1300.

Thanks for reading – See you on the radio,

@Dan_Acheson