Five-Run First, Sluggish Offense Doom Sox
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Colorado Springs could not overcome an early five-run deficit as the Sox offense mustered only five hits in their 9-1 loss to the 51s before a Tuesday night crowd of 2,067 at Cashman Field in Las Vegas.
Following up teammate Duane Below's complete game on Monday, 51s left-hander Steven Matz (6-2, 1.99) would not disappoint the home crowd. Matz tossed seven scoreless frames, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out seven Sky Sox batters.
Sox starter Drew Gagnon (1-6, 7.78) would not fare nearly as well, giving up five runs on three hits, a walk and hit-by-pitch in the first before settling down a bit. In his 4.2 innings of work, Gagnon would allow a total of seven runs on eight hits and four walks and a strikeout.
Colorado Springs tallied their lone run of the ballgame in the top of the eighth against Las Vegas reliever Logan Verrett. The right-hander would allow a base-hit to pinch-hitter Pete Orr, allowing him to reach second on a wild pitch to Scooter Gennett. Chris Nelson followed Gennett's strikeout with a walk before Shane Peterson drove Orr home with an RBI single.
Ariel Pena and Michael Kirkman combined for 2.1 perfect innings of relief following Gagnon's shaky start before giving way to Jim Henderson in the eighth. The former Brewers closer wound allow two runs in his lone frame, giving up two hits and a walk in the process.
The 51s took a 9-1 lead into the top of the ninth with righty Jon Velasquez taking over on the mound. Velasquez would retire the Sox side in order to nail down the Las Vegas win, sending Colorado Springs to their third-consecutive loss in which they allowed 9 runs.
With the loss, the Sky sox fall to 16-28 on the season as the 51s improve to 29-17.
Colorado Springs will look to get back in the series in game three on this four-game set with the 51s on Wednesday night. Tyler Cravy (4-4, 4.61) is set to face off with fellow right-hander Tyler Pill (1-1, 6.21) at 8:05 PM MDT from Cashman Field in Las Vegas.