Sky Sox Claim 14-11 Shootout

The Sky Sox pitching staff drove in four runs and a five-run sixth inning gave Colorado Springs a 14-11 shootout victory over the Memphis Redbirds in front of 7,718 at Security Service Field Saturday night.

Fresh off their Friday night win that clinched the secondmost regular season wins in franchise history, the Sky Sox (80-55) found themselves down 3-0 for the second straight night. Michael Blazek helped chip into the deficit by lining a two-run double to right field, scoring Nate Orf and Yadiel Rivera for the pitcher's seventh hit of 2017.
The Sox inched closer and trimmed the deficit to 7-4, thanks to more production from the pitching staff. With two outs, Tyler Cravy destroyed a Kevin Herget 2-1 pitch to deep left field for his first hit of the season. Dubon trotted home on the right-hander's third career home run (and second with Colorado Springs).
Memphis (89-50) notched a run in the top of the fifth inning, but the Sox responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to pull within a run. After the first two men reached, Chris Colabello hustled down the line and beat Nick Martini to first base for an infield single, scoring Quintin Berry. A Mauricio Dubón grounder was followed by a Tyler Heineman RBI single to trim the Memphis lead to 8-7.
The Sox offense erupted with five runs in the sixth inning to take their first lead. With two outs, Ivan De Jesus grounded his fourth hit of the night past Breyvic Valera at second base to score Berry. Colabello lined a first-pitch triple to the right-center gap to score De Jesus, while Orf blooped a first-pitch single to plate Colabello. Dubon took Arturo Reyes' first pitch deep over the left field wall for a two-run shot for a 12-10 advantage.
The hosts tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the eighth inning to increase their margin to 14-10. Colabello lined a double to the left-center field gap for his fourth hit and third RBIof the night, scoring Berry. Two batters later, Dubon just missed his second home run on a double to left field, scoring Orf for his fourth RBI of the game.
David Goforth (3-4, 4.13 ERA) earned the win by shutting down the Memphis offense over three scoreless innings, striking out two Redbirds and completing the only two 1-2-3 innings of the game for either side. The visitors brought the tying run to the plate, but Rob Scahill shut the door by forcing Patrick Wisdom to ground out to Dubon to end the contest.
Colorado Springs and Memphis continue their four-game series Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. MT with the first of two straight matinees to close the regular season. RHP Aaron Brooks (8-9, 6.20 ERA) makes his first start in Colorado as a member of the Sky Sox against Memphis RHP Matt Pearce (4-3, 5.51).
All fans are in the running to win a diamond pendant during the game, courtesy of McNulty Jewelers, and can also enjoy 50-cent hot dogs, courtesy of Safeway.