Sox Complete Comeback In 5-4 Victory

Four runs over the final two innings propelled the Colorado Springs Sky Sox to a 5-4 comeback win over the Omaha Storm Chasers in front of 9,023 at Werner Park Monday night.

With the win, the Sky Sox (51-31) took three out of four in the road series and eight of the overall nine straight games against Omaha beginning June 26. With one more series in Nebraska to close out the season series, the Sky Sox take a commanding 11-2 lead in the 2017 matchup with their division rivals.
After the Storm Chasers used a solo home run to jump on top in the third inning, Colorado Springs quickly responded by scoring a run of their own in the fourth inning. With two out, Jett Bandy grounded an infield single to Raul Mondesi deep in the shortstop hole, scoring Brett Phillips and tying the game.
Omaha (38-44) scored three runs over the sixth and seventh innings, but the Sox fought back late for the second time in the past week, scoring three runs in the eighth inning to tie the score at 4. With one out, Kirk Nieuwenhuis lined a two-run double down the right field line, scoring Phillips and Garrett Cooper. Two batters later, Nate Orf lined a sacrifice fly to center, easily scoring Nieuwenhuis.
The Sky Sox starting right fielder came through once again in the ninth inning. With the bases loaded, Nieuwenhuis missed a grand slam by a few feet, settling for a sacrifice fly to deep left field, allowing Phillips to score his third run of the game. Nieuwenhuis' 3 RBI gives the veteran outfielder 19 RBI in 2017, while Phillips has now scored three runs in a game for the fourth time this season.
David Goforth (1-3, 4.60) earned his first win of the season, shutting down the Storm Chasers over the final two innings in relief of starter Bubba Derby and reliever Tyler Cravy. Omaha put the go-ahead and game-tying run on second base in the eighth and ninth innings respectively, but Goforth struck out three batters-including two to end both innings-en route to securing the comeback win.
The Sky Sox return home for a brief four-game series in three days with the Nashville Sounds. The two squads began their final 2017 series Tuesday night at 7 p.m. MT, when RHP Hiram Burgos (2-4, 6.21) returns to the mound against Nashville RHP Chris Jensen (4-0, 3.62). Tuesday is the Fourth of July, with a Fireworks spectacular taking place after the game. The first 1,000 fans receive mini-American flags, while The Amazing Christopher will be entertaining fans between innings.