Cards Fall Sox Way In Dominant 11-1 Vegas Win

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sky Sox performance on Wednesday night proved that a day can make all of the difference as they responded to Tuesday night's 9-1 loss with a resounding 11-1 defeat of the same Las Vegas 51s before a crowd of 2,182 at Cashman Field.

The Colorado Springs offense would get off to a fast start, giving themselves all of the runs they would ultimately need in a three-run top of the first. The Sox knocked two singles off of 51s starter Tyler Pill (1-2, 7.04) to open the ballgame before consecutive, two-out RBI doubles by Matt Clark and Pete Orr gave their club a quick two-run lead. Yadiel Rivera followed with an RBI single, plating Clark to round out the frame's scoring.

In fact, the Sox would score seven runs through the game's first four innings with at least one runner crossing the plate in each. Nevin Ashley's two-run shot in the second and Cravy's own two-out, RBI double in the third highlighted the offensive attack over that span.

The Sky Sox, further turning the tables on Las Vegas, would be provided a far better result by their starting pitcher. Tyler Cravy (5-4, 4.04) turned in what would be the strongest outing by a Sky Sox starter this season to lead the way. The right-hander allowed just one run on five hits and two walks while striking out five over eight sparkling frames. Cravy's lone run allowed came in the 51s fourth, giving up a walk to Wilfredo Tovar and a double to Alex Castellanos that would lead to a Brandon Allen sacrifice fly. Cravy bounced right back, striking out Travis Taijeron to end the frame and extinguish Las Vegas' threat.

While the 51s would not score another run, the Sox would tack on four more before the night was through. Colorado Springs would earn three of the four runs against relievers Scott Rice and Chase Bradford in the game's final two frames. The unearned run would be charged to righty Zach Thornton in his one inning of work.

RBI singles from Nevin Ashley in the eighth and Scooter Gennett and Chris Nelson in the ninth capped the Sox scoring with the 19-hit offensive onslaught giving the team 11 runs on the game.

Colorado Springs' field day at the plate saw every hitter with an at-bat notch at least one hit with six recording multi-hit games. The top of the order: Gennett, Schafer and Ashley combined for nine hits, five runs and four RBIs. Even more impressive than these stats is the fact that every Sox starter, with the exception of Cravy, scored at least one run in the complete team effort.

Jed Bradley would relieve Cravy in the ninth after the starter threw 97 pitches in his eight innings. The left-handed Bradley would set down the heart of the Las Vegas lineup in order to close out the 11-1 Sky Sox win.

The Sox will look to earn a series-split on Thursday night in the finale of this four-game set with the Mets' top minor league affiliate. Taylor Jungmann (1-2, 6.90) matches up with 51s righty Matt Bowman (2-5, 6.98) tomorrow at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. First pitch is slated for 8:05 PM MDT.