Sky Sox Win Slugfest 11-7 Over Iowa

In their series opener, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox defeated the Iowa Cubs 11-7 in a slugfest in front of 3,806 at Security Service Field on Thursday night.

Wily Peralta (0-2, 9.17) got the start for the Sky Sox. The I-Cubs were able to score the game's first run against him early. With one out in the first, Dan Vogelbach lined a single to left to score John Andreoli and give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.

The lead didn't last long as the Sky Sox were quick to answer. Nate Orf scored Kyle Wren from third with the tying run. A few batters later, Orf scored on a double from Garin Cecchini to give the Sky Sox a 2-1 lead off Iowa starter Jake Buchanan (7-5, 4.77).

In the third, the I-Cubs retook the lead. Vogelbach drove in Matt Murton with another single to tie the game at two. Tim Federowicz drove in the go-ahead run with a single that deflected off Peralta. Vogelbach then scored on a single from Logan Watkins to make the score 4-2 Iowa. The Cubs had the bases loaded with one out looking to extended the lead, but Peralta induced Munenori Kawasaki to ground into an inning-ending double play to escape further damage.

With one out in the fourth, the Sky Sox turned to the bullpen. Peralta pitched three and a third innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on five hits while striking out a pair

Tim Dillard entered for the Sky Sox and pitched well out of the bullpen, throwing two and a third scoreless innings with five strikeouts. He would earn his fifth win of the season, tied for the team lead, thanks to an offensive outburst from the Sky Sox.  

In the bottom of the fifth, the Sky Sox loaded the bases with one out against Buchanan. But before Orf could step to the plate, the skies opened up, forcing a rain delay of 33 minutes. After the delay, Orf laced a single to right to score a pair of runs, and the third runner came all the way home on an error on the play to give the Sky Sox a 5-4 lead. A Garin Cecchini fielder's choice scored Orf a couple batters later to give the Sky Sox a two run lead.

Dillard struck out at the plate with one out in the sixth, but he reached first on a dropped third strike. After sliding to beat a play at second base, Dillard scored on a double from Orlando Arcia. Josmil Pinto scored Arcia with a single as the Sky Sox bats remained hot.

The I-Cubs scored three runs off Austin Ross in the seventh, but the Sky Sox reliever recorded a key strikeout to keep his team up a run.

The Sky Sox answered with three of their own in the seventh. Keon Broxton led off with a triple. Later, he scored on a single from pinch-hitter Manny Pina. Arcia and Wren each added run scoring hits to increase the Sky Sox lead to 11-7.

David Gorforth and Michael Kirkman each pitched scoreless innings to finish off the win for the Sky Sox.

Orf led the way with four runs batted in after going 3-for-3 with a walk at the plate. Arcia and Cecchini each added a pair of runs batted in. Wren, Arcia, and Orf each scored multiple times in the win.

Game two of the series will be on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. MDT at Security Service Field. Brent Suter (3-4, 4.16) is scheduled to get the start on the mound for the Sky Sox against Pierce Johnson (1-3, 6.37).