Wilkerson's Gem Propels Sox To 5-0 Win

Aaron Wilkerson tossed seven no-hit innings to help the Sky Sox tie the best-of-five series with a 5-0 shutout in game two in front of 5,565 at AutoZone Park Thursday night.

Making his first start with the Sky Sox in 2017, Wilkerson kept the Redbirds off the scoreboard over seven no-hit innings. The righty struck out 11 Memphis batters, tying his June 9 outing for the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at MGM Park on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
That mark also ties the individual and team record for strikeouts in a Sky Sox playoff game and helped secure the first postseason shutout in Sky Sox franchise history.
The Sky Sox broke the deadlock with three runs in the fifth inning. On a full count, Johnny Davis lined a two-out RBI single through the second base hole to score Yadiel Rivera. One batter later, Ivan De Jesus' sharp grounder to third baseman Patrick Wisdom was bobbled, allowing Kyle Wren to score.
Davis came in to score the third run during the ensuing at-bat, when Chris Colabello lined a RBI single up the middle to increase the lead to 3-0. Rivera added to the Sox lead with a run in the sixth inning, launching a two-out double to the wall in left field, scoring Tyler Heineman and giving the Sox a 4-0 advantage.
The Sox shortstop lined his second double to left field to lead off the ninth inning, completing his 3-for-3 night from the No. 8 spot in the lineup. Three batters later, RHP Arturo Reyes unleashed a wild pitch to allow Rivera to score his second run of the night and give the visitors a 5-0 lead.
The Sox look to take a series lead when they return home Friday night for the first Sky Sox postseason game in the state of Colorado in 20 years. RHP Angel Ventura takes the mound in game three at 6 p.m. MT against Redbirds RHP Ryan Helsley. The night also features a baseball-themed Friday Night Fireworks show, presented by United Restoration.