The Sox have had their struggles against the Express all season, but they put the struggles behind them and capped off the season series with a 4-0 win Thursday night at Dell Diamond. The victory gives Colorado Springs another winning month, their fifth straight in 2017, and pushed their record to 4-8 against Round Rock. They also wrapped up the road season for 2017 with a 37-32 record. Not too shabby.

Last night’s game began with a bang, thanks to a leadoff solo homer off the bat of Kyle Wren that came on the fourth pitch of the game delivered by  David Ledbetter. 1-0 Sox. That would be the only run they’d need, but they added two more in the second on an Ivan De Jesus single upping it to 3-0. Nick Noonan drove in the fourth run of the game with a single in the eighth.

Taylor Jungmann took the lead and did nothing but throw up zero after  zero after zero, until he was lifted before the seventh. The Temple, Texas native pitched six scoreless innings and scattered five hits, limited his walks to one and struck out five. He was outstanding and was rewarded with a win for his efforts. The trio of Tristan Archer, Tyler Webb and Rob Scahill wrapped up the game and combined for three scoreless, hitless innings, securing the Sox 10th shutout of the season.

Game Story Here

Hitting Notes –

The Sox picked up the four runs on seven hits and had one batter in the lineup pick up a multi-hit tilt in the road finale.

Kyle Wren’s leadoff homer was one of his two hits as he later notched a single.

Ivan De Jesus had a two-run single.

Nate Orf doubled, scored a run and walked twice.

Nick Noonan tallied an RBI single.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis picked up a single and scored a run.

Tyler Heineman reached base three times with a single and two walks, he also scored a run.

Pitching Notes –

Taylor Jungmann continued his unreal 2017 with another six scoreless innings. He allowed the five hits Round Rock picked up, walked one and struck out five on 90 pitched, 55 of which went for strikes in his final start of the regular season. He should be the Sky Sox game one starter against Memphis on Wednesday.

Tristan Archer worked four outs in fine fashion, fanning one.

Tyler Webb picked up the final two outs of the eighth.

Rob Scahill recorded a perfect ninth.

Play of the Game –

Kyle Wren’s leadoff blast!

Pregame Interview with Dan Karcher and Manager Rick Sweet –

Colorado Springs Sky Sox (78-55) at Memphis Redbirds (89-48) – 7:00 p.m. 

Game Notes / Listen Live at 6:30 p.m.

Pitching Probables:  RHP Bubba Derby (5-0, 3.39) vs. RHP Ryan Helsley (Triple-A debut/11-3, 2.69 in A+/AA)

Sky Sox Starter: Right-hander Bubba Derby will make his 12th Triple-A start this evening in the opener of the series against the Redbirds along the Front Range at Security Service Field. He has earned the win in his last three starts and enters play 5-0 with a 3.39 ERA with Colorado Springs. He earned PCL Pitcher of the Week honors last week. Overall with the Sox he’s allowed 24 runs (22 earned) on 50 hits in 58 1/3 innings. He’s walked 16 and fanned 44. 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 he is 3-0 with a 3.25 ERA in five starts.

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 69 MiLB outings, 48 starts, the righty is 14-15 with a 4.05 ERA.

Last Time Out – August 26 – Win at New Orleans –

Derby continued his hot streak with his third straight victory and second against the Baby Cakes. He worked the first five innings and allowed two runs on seven hits, walked three and struck out a pair on 80 pitches, 50 went for strikes.

Redbirds Starting Arm: Righty Ryan Helsley is slated to make his Triple-A debut tonight at Security Service Field. The 23-year old has all the numbers of a great pitcher and has compiled an 11-3 record with a 2.69 ERA in 23 games, 22 starts. He opened the season with the Palm Beach Cardinals of the Florida State League and went 8-2 with a 2.69 ERA and advanced to Double-A where he went 3-1 with a 2.67 ERA in six starts with the Springfield Cardinals. In 127 1/3 total innings, Helsley has allowed 42 runs (38 earned) on 97 hits, he’s given up seven homers, hit two batters, walked 45 and fanned 132. 

Helsley was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2015 draft out of Northeastern State College in Oklahoma. The Tahlequah, OK native has made 51 appearances in pro ball (48 starts) to the tune of a 22-6 record and 2.19 ERA.

Last Time Out – August 27 – Loss vs. Tulsa (AA) – 

Helsley worked into the sixth inning before he was lifted his last trip to the hill. He allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits, walked one and fanned six on 89 pitches, 59 of which were strikes in five and two-third innings/

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 6:30 p.m. Sky Sox Warmup will get fired up at 7:00 p.m. MDT on XTRA Sports 1300.

Thanks for reading – See you on the radio,

@Dan_Acheson