Results tagged ‘ Colorado Springs Sky Sox ’
Sox Scribbles: Sweep Success
The red-hot Sky Sox completed a four-game sweep of the Las Vegas 51s Tuesday night with a dominating 17-3 victory. The win marked the sixth in a row for the Sox who have now won eight of their last ten games.
There were no shortage of offensive stars for the Sox on this night. Charlie Blackmon led the way with a 3-for-5 performance including two home runs, three runs scored and five RBI. It marked the first multi home run game for the Sox season. Josh Fields (3), Ian Stewart (2) and Chris Nelson (2) each added home runs for the Sox. Stewart (4-for-4, R, 4RBI) crushed a three-run shot to give the Sox a 3-0 lead in the first, Fields (3-for-5, 3R,3RBI) hit a two-run blast to make it 5-1 in the third and Nelson (3-for5, 3R, 2RBI) added a solo shot in the seventh.
Jordan Pacheco returned to the lineup after sitting out the previous two games and finished the night 5-for-5 with four runs scored and two RBI. It was the second five-hit game for the Sox this season (Mike Jacobs, at Tacoma on 4/21) and the first for Pacheco in his Sky Sox career.
Alfredo Amezaga finished 2-for-6 and extended his hitting streak to 14 games.
Josh Muecke (1-2, 4.40) picked up his first win of the season allowing two runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings.
The Sox have an off-day today before heading to Tucson, Arizona to face the Padres on Thursday. RHP John Maine (0-1, 9.72) will be looking for his first win of the year. He’ll face off against RHP Will Inman (0-2, 7.94). These two teams split four games to open the season from April 7th – 10th. First pitch on Thursday is scheduled for 8:00 PM PT.
Fox Facts:
- For the first time since 2006, no Sky Sox home games were postponed in the month of April. It’s only the fourth time in franchise history that the Sox have avoided postponing a game in the season’s first month. The other two occurrences were in 1992 and 1994. If the Sox avoid any postponement in Tucson, it will be only the second time in franchise history that no games, home or away, were postponed in the month of April joining the ’94 season.
- The Sox pitching staff has enjoyed significant success recently after a rocky start to the season. Coming into play on April 19th, the staff had combined for an ERA of 7.89 in 12 games. In eight games since then, the Sox have posted a combined ERA of 2.61 (20er/69.0ip) and have lowered their season ERA by over two runs to 5.79.
Sox Scribbles – Sox earn series split with 12-2 blowout of Tucson
The Sky Sox won the final game of their four-game series with the Tucson Padres 12-2 on a blustery Sunday afternoon at Security Service Field.
Cole Garner paced the offense with four hits and three RBI. Willy Taveras (1) and Charlie Blackmon (2) each added a solo home run for the Sox.
The Reno Aces come to town for a four-game series starting tonight at 6:05 PM. The Aces (2-1) come in leading the Pacific Northern Division by a half game over the Sky Sox. It will be crucial to perform well within the division this year and this series will mark the first opportunity for the Sox to face an intra division foe. The Aces and Sox will actually face off in eight straight games as they will travel to Reno for another four gamer directly following the conclusion of this series.
Lefty Josh Muecke will take the bump for the Sox tonight in his first start of the season. He’ll be opposed by righty Matt Torra as the Sox look to move into first place.
Here are a few notes from yesterday’s game:
Sox Scribbles:
- With five scoreless innings on Sunday, the Sky Sox bullpen has now thrown 15 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run
- Cole Garner collected his second four-hit game of the season, and pushed his average to .643
- In addition to his second home run of the season, Blackmon also collected his second outfield assist throwing out Jesus Guzman at second in the first inning
- With Eric Young Jr.’s steal, the Sox now have at least one stolen base in every game this season
- The Sox scored 38 runs in the four-game series and currently lead the PCL in runs scored
- The Sox recorded their first errorless game of the season after committing five in the first three games.
Also, check out this story from Jim Reynolds on the All Things Rockies blog about Greg Reynolds’ first start for the Rox this season. Reynolds was scheduled to be the Sox opening day starter before Ubaldo Jimenez landed on the DL. Reynolds, the former number two overall pick for the Rockies in 2006, has struggled with injuries for much of his career but by all accounts is finally healthy and pitching well.
From the ESPN New York blog, an interesting piece on the Rockies struggles in New York against the Mets at Citi Field and formerly Shea Stadium.
Sox Notch First Victory of 2011
The Sox are in the win column after defeating the Tucson Padres 5-3 behind a solid outing from starter Alan Johnson and fourinnings of scoreless relief from the bullpen.
A clutch two-out, two-run single by Matt Macri broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the eighth and Andrew Johnston pitched the ninth to pick up his first save of the year.
Rex Brothers (1-0, 0.00) picked up the win in his first Triple-A appearance pitching 1.1 innings with 2 strikeouts while consistently displaying a fastball in the high 90′s.
The game was a significant departure from the slugfest in game one of the series. The Sox utilized a small ball approach, accruing three sacrifice bunts, two sacrifice flies, and three stolen bases as they scratched their way to five runs.
After combining for 16 extra-base hits in the opener, the two teams would collect only 12 total hits, all singles, in game two.
All three of Tucson’s runs were unearned as the Sox committed three errors, including two on throws by first baseman Mike Jacobs.
The Sox will look to start their first wining streak of the year as they face Tucson in game three of the series at 1:05 pm today. Clayton Mortensen (NR) will make his first start for the Sky Sox against Josh Geer (NR)
Sox Scribbles:
- Former New York Yankee, San Diego Padre, and Wasson High School Alumni Goose Gossage was in attendance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch Friday night.
- In two games this series, the teams have combined to make four errors a piece
- Sox outfielder Cole Garner is 4-of-7 with four RBI and two runs scored after two games this season. Dating back to August 14th of last year, he has hit safely in 22 of his last 26 games while hitting .433 (42-97) over that stretch with eight doubles, three triples, four home runs, 24 runs scored and 21 RBI
Sox Scribbles – Opening Day 2011 Recap
The Sky Sox lost their home opener Thursday by the robust score of 18-14. Lets empty the notebook and look at some of the highlights and tidbits from the night that was.
- The game marked the highest scoring season opener in Sky Sox history (home or away). The previous high was a 13-10 home opening loss to the now defunct Edmonton Trappers on April 6th, 1995.
- At 3:56 the game fell 6 minutes shy of the all-time high for a nine inning Sky Sox home game and 4 minutes shy of being the fifth 4-hour nine inning home game in Sox history.
- Two players collected their first ever Triple-A hits and both did it with the long ball. Jordan Pacheco connected on a solo home run in the fourth and Charlie Blackmon smacked a two-run shot off the scoreboard in the fifth.
- Every Tucson starter had at least one hit in the game and seven had two or more.
- Every Sox starter except Chris Nelson had at least one hit or reached base once.
- Tucson second baseman Logan Forsythe, who hit only three home runs in 392 at-bats last season hit two in seven at-bats last night. He also walked four times.
- The Sky Sox scored at least one run in eight of nine innings.
- On the night, the two teams combined for 32 runs, 38 hits, 16 walks, and 23 men left on base.
- The game featured 86 at-bats and 392 total pitches, for an average of 4.6 pitchers per at-bat.
All told, it was a wild way to begin the season. The Sox will try to get in the win column tonight as last season’s wins leader Alan Johnson takes the bump against Tucson’s Wil Inman. First pitch is at 5:05 pm MT.
Sky Sox Opening Day 2011
Opening Day 2011 has arrived, a tradition that’s as American as apple pie.
It’s such a special day for fans because it marks the beginning of a new baseball season, the chance for new memories to be made every night, warm days, comfortable nights, and the hope that this will be “our year”.
The 2011 season will begin with veteran pitcher John Maine taking the bump for the Sox against lefty Wade LeBlanc for Tucson.
This is the first ever game for the Tucson Padres as the new Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
Sky Sox fans will remember previous incarnations of PCL teams in Tucson with the Toros through ’97 and the Sidewinders from ’98-’08.
Be sure to check out the action all season long as the Sky Sox look capture their third PCL Championship!
McKenry Traded
Yesterday evening the Rockies traded catcher Michael McKenry to the Boston Red Sox for Minor League pitcher Daniel Turpen.
McKenry was the Sky Sox primary catcher last season, playing in 99 games and hitting .265 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI. McKenry was drafted by the Rockies in the seventh round of the first year players draft out of Middle Tennessee State and has played with the organization for all five years of his professional career.
McKenry, a fan favorite who was well respected for his tough-nosed, hard working style of play, was likely the odd man out at a crowded position. With the emergence of youngsters Jordan Pacheco and Wilin Rosario, there were simply too many bodies with limited playing time to go around.
Expect to see Pacheco become the primary backstop for the Sky Sox this season as the Rockies brass is anxious to see how he performs at the Triple-A level.
Turpen was 7-6 overall last season with the Double-A affiliates of the San Francisco Giants and Red Sox following a midseason trade. The 24-year old makes for an intimidating presence on the hill as he stands 6 foot 4 and weighs in at 245 lbs. He will provide another valuable young arm as the organization continues to build pitching depth.
2011 Spring Training Notes
Welcome to another season of Sky Sox baseball! The 2011 campaign promises to be an exciting one and we look forward to bringing you a closer look at the happenings in Colorado Springs and beyond.
With the Rockies just a few days away from breaking camp, lets empty the notebook and recap some of the highlights from spring training.
- The surprise (to some) of the spring was catcher/infielder Jordan Pacheco. The budding star was hitting well over .400 for much of camp, finishing at .286 with one homer and 8 RBI, and so impressed the coaching staff that he was one of the final cuts of the spring, despite having never advanced past the Double-A level and playing only 21 games for the Tulsa Drillers last season. His performance has likely earned him the starting nod for the Sky Sox this season.
- The Pacheco situation was fascinating because his presence on the Rockies would have meant they would carry three catchers, a rather rare occurrence for Major League teams.
- Another strong performer from the spring who will begin the year with the Sky Sox is reliever Matt Daley. The decision was a difficult one for Rockies Manager Jim Tracey, who elected to carry a fifth starter instead of an extra reliever. Daley didn’t allow a single earned run all spring over seven appearances and will be a key member of the Sky Sox bullpen.
- The Sky Sox rotation will likely feature a mixture of established Major League veterans and up and coming players. Players with Major League service time including John Maine (Mets), Eric Stults (Dodgers), and Clayton Mortensen (Cardinals, Athletics) will anchor a rotation replete with veteran experience. Mortensen, who won 13 games last season with the Sacramento River Cats, enjoyed a great spring posting a 0.82 ERA over 11 innings.
- Former first round pick Greg Reynolds is rounding back into form after a serious shoulder injury sustained in 2009 and will also begin the season in the Sky Sox rotation.
- Potential outfielders Willy Taveras, Cole Garner and Charlie Blackmon hit .350, .364, and .314 respectively and could prove to be a potent trio for the Sox this season.
Other Notes:
- Yesterday, the Rockies acquired third baseman Josh Fields from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. Fields is expected to provide depth at the position for the organization and is slated to be the Sky Sox opening day starter at third.
Street Perfect for Sox
Rehabbing Rockies closer Huston Street was perfect for the Sky Sox in Friday night’s rehab appearance – his most recent step in recovering from a right shoulder injury. Throwing 12 pitches, eight for strikes, Street made quick work of the top of Reno’s order. Inducing weak groundouts from Doug Deeds and Cole Gillespie while striking out Drew Macias, the reliever looked very sharp.
The appearance was Street’s first of the year for the Sky Sox, and his first since suspending his rehabilitation after suffering a strained groin for Tulsa on May 15. Street also missed time last season with a biceps injury, absent for 18 games in September.
The start represents a significant step in Street returning to the Rockies’ bullpen – the pitcher had thrown to live batters on Wednesday as a precursor to today’s start. Street is expected to make at least three more appearances before being evaluated as to his next move.
Relieving Street was starter Esmil Rogers, who was recently sent down to make room for Franklin Morales. Rogers had been a pleasant surprise for the Rockies, throwing 19.2 IP with 14 strikeouts in his second taste of big league action. Rogers had begun the year on the Rockies’ Opening Day roster before being returned to the Sky Sox on April 19. Rogers was subsequently recalled on May 1, before being reassigned to the Sky Sox today.
Herrera Up, Fowler Down
Sent down from Denver, Dexter Fowler made his long awaited Sky
Sox debut on Monday - having skipped
over AAA on his way to the bigs in 2009.
Jonathan Herrera was called up to fill his roster spot,
providing depth to the Rockies’ struggling middle infield. With starting second
baseman Clint Barmes batting a paltry .219 and incumbent backup middle
infielder Melvin Mora homerless in 66 at-bats, the Rockies thought it was time
for a change – Herrera called upon to provide a boost. Having hit .286 with a
home run and 20 walks in 168 AAA at-bats, Herrera fueled the Sky Sox offense
from the leadoff spot.
He should be ready for the challenge.
Fowler, on the other hand, was sent down to work on his
swing – the toolsy outfielder having hit just .216 with one homer in 139
at-bats. Making the decision easier was the emergence of former Sky Sox outfielder
Seth Smith, who, while splitting time with Fowler, has hit .268 with eight
homers in 127 at-bats this season.
The addition of Fowler, though coming at the loss of
Herrera, has been a long time coming for Sox fans. This being the first time
Fowler will don a uniform at Security Service Field, Sox fans will finally get
to see the former top prospect in action. And, if his Monday debut was any
indication (4-for-4, 4R, HR, 3RBI, 2B, 2BB), Sox fans will love every minute of
it.
Still, the move is problematic for the Sox’ roster makeup.
Now with five outfielders all deserving of full-time at-bats (Fowler, Jay
Payton, Chris Frey, Cole Garner, Matt Miller), the logjam may make it difficult
for batters on the short end of the playing time stick to find their groove -
hurting their ability to produce for the team. In addition, the loss of Herrera
leaves the club without a backup middle infielder, leaving Chris Nelson and Kaz
Matsui to pick up the slack and tough it out on days where they would normally
rest.
Exciting as the acquisition is, manager Stu Cole has some
serious roster juggling awaiting him to ensure that all players receive plate
appearances and develop properly. Alleviating the problem somewhat are 17
consecutive games against American League affiliates following the conclusion
of the current series against Reno. The DH will be required in these matches,
freeing up more at-bats for the spare outfielders. Nevertheless, the club’s
lineup construction will be a very interesting discussion point over the next
couple weeks.
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