Sky Sox Can't Overcome Sixth, Rain In 5-2 Loss

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sox got off to a quick start on Monday before a tough sixth inning and tougher weather helped the Oklahoma City Dodgers take home a rain-shortened 5-2 victory before a crowd of 3, 320 at Security Service Field.  

The Sox would strike first on Monday, plating a run in the home second against OKC left-hander and former big leaguer Eric Surkamp (2-4, 6.35). Nevin Ashley led off the frame with a flyout before consecutive singles by Robinzon Diaz and Donnie Murphy gave Colorado Springs runners on the corners with one out. Chris Nelson followed with an RBI force out; beating the relay throw from second to avoid an inning-ending double play that gave Diaz the chance to come home with the game's first run.

Sox starter Josh Roenicke (4-3, 4.81) cruised through three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and helping the Sox to a 1-0 lead along the way. Things changed for the right-hander in the fourth as he allowed two runs on three hits in the frame alone, quickly handing the 2-1 lead to Oklahoma City. The Dodgers would score their first on an Austin Barnes one-out, RBI double before taking the lead with Andy Wilkins scoring on a Buck Britton groundout. Roenicke got the best of O'Koyea Dickson, inducing a fly out from the outfielder to prevent further damage.

Roenicke bounced back in the next frame, keeping the Dodgers off the scoreboard in the fifth before his offense provided just enough support to tie the ballgame. Elian Herrera knocked in the equalizer with a clutch two-out RBI double that banged off of the right field wall to score Rivera all the way from first. The score would not remain tied for long as Roenicke would face another trying frame in the OKC sixth.

The Dodgers lineup strung together three straight hits to load the bases before the Sox could record an out in the sixth, giving the visitors a 4-2 lead on a Barnes two-run single. Roenicke buckled down, getting two outs immediately following the consecutive hits. Outfielder Scott Schebler rounded out the game's scoring with a two-out triple to the deepest part of the ballpark, extending the Doders' lead to 5-2 after six.

Roenicke would be lifted in favor of Ariel Pena in the top of the seventh, tossing six innings of five-run ball on nine hits while striking out three. The reliever-turned-starter did not issue a single free pass. Surkamp on the other hand would wind up with a complete game victory in the rain-shortened contest. The lefty allowed just the two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out seven over his six strong frames.

Pena would record one out in his 0.1 of an inning thanks to Nevin Ashley catching leadoff man Darnell Sweeney trying to steal second. The right-hander walked Brian Burgamy in the following at-bat. Pena fell to an 1-0 count on top prospect Corey Seager before the heavens opened up, forcing umpires to call of play before ultimately calling the game to due inclement weather.

The game went the necessary five innings to earn the "official" designation. Unfortunately the elements prevented the Sox from a comeback try, falling 5-2 in the shortened 6.1 inning ballgame.

With the loss, the Sky Sox fall to 25-37 as Oklahoma City improves to 42-21thanks to the rain.

The Sox and Dodgers are back at it tomorrow in game two of this three-game set in Colorado Springs. Former Twins starter Scott Baker (5-3, 3.99) gets the call for OKC as he faces off with Nick Additon (1-2, 6.91) on Tuesday night at Security Service Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM MDT.

Because the game was past the fifth inning, it is considered an official game and tickets will not be refundable or available for rain checks.