Sky Sox Come Back To Top Zephyrs 8-6

The Colorado Springs Sky Sox extended their winning streak to five games with a come from behind 8-6 victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs on Saturday night at Security Service Field.

As has been the case often this year, the game did not start as well as it ended for Colorado Springs.

Sky Sox starter Wily Peralta (0-2, 9.42) got off to a rocky start, as the Zephyrs scored the game's first run as Don Kelly singled to right to score Kenny Wilson to give the Zephyrs a 1-0 lead in the first. But in the second, Peralta rebounded to strand a pair of runners on base in a scoreless frame.

In the fourth, the Zephyrs got another run off Peralta before the Sky Sox went to the bullpen with two outs.

In three and two thirds innings, Peralta allowed two earned runs on six hits while striking out two.

In the fifth, Xavier Scruggs hit a solo home run off Michael Kirkman to increase the Zephyrs lead to three.

For the Zephyrs, starter Dylan Axelrod (5-4, 4.09) was nearly perfect from the start. Through the first five innings, he walked just one batter and faced the minimum without allowing a base hit.

After being no-hit for the first five innings, the Sky Sox finally broke through in the sixth. Nate Orf and Yadiel Rivera began the inning with singles, then Josmil Pinto hit another to score Orf with the first Sky Sox run off Axelrod. A couple batters later, Michael Reed laced a single to left to score Rivera from third and cut the Sky Sox deficit to just one run.

David Goforth came in for the Sky Sox in the sixth and pitched two scoreless innings to earn his second win of the season.

Tyler Kinley replaced Axelrod in the seventh inning. Axelrod finished his start with two earned runs against on four hits in six innings. He left in line for the win, but the Sky Sox made sure he wouldn't get a decision.

In the seventh, the Sky Sox put runners on first and third with one out before the skies opened up. The umpires called for a rain delay, but after only three minutes, the game would resume without the tarp being put on the field. The next batter, Josmil Pinto, hit a single to right to tie the game at three. Michael Reed followed with a bases-loaded walk to give the Sky Sox the lead. Again, the Zephyrs went to the bullpen. Manny Pina greeted reliever Raudel Lazo with a double off the left field wall that cleared the bases to give the Sky Sox the lead at 7-3.

Corey Knebel came in for the Sky Sox in the eighth and struck out the side after allowing a leadoff single. In the bottom half, Orf added another run with an RBI ground out that scored Eric Young Jr. with the eighth Sky Sox run. In the ninth, Damien Magnifico came in and finished off victory to give the Sky Sox their third win in a row over New Orleans.

In the series finale between the Sky Sox and Zephyrs tomorrow night, Josh Hader (0-2, 4.50) is set to get the start for the Sky Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Security Service Field. Fireworks will light up the night sky following the game.