Blazek Blazes Through Dodgers
Colorado Springs, Colo. - Colorado Springs Sky Sox starting pitcher Michael Blazek dealt 7.2 strong innings to cool off a red-hot Oklahoma City Dodgers lineup and lead the Sky Sox to a 5-2 win Sunday afternoon at Security Service Field.Entering Sunday, Blazek's longest start of the year had been just 5.2
Colorado Springs, Colo. - Colorado Springs Sky Sox starting pitcher
Entering Sunday, Blazek's longest start of the year had been just 5.2 innings and he had not completed at least 7.2 innings since 2010. After giving up two runs within the first three innings, Blazek (1-1) completely shut down there Dodgers thereafter, as he retired the final 13 batters he faced, as well as 14 of the final 15. The right-hander induced 13 groundouts on the day and needed just 41 pitches to retire those 13 consecutive batters to complete his outing. He ended up allowing five hits, with no walks and five strikeouts.
The Dodgers (37-30) had scored at least six runs and notched at least 11 hits in nine consecutive games prior to Sunday, but could only muster two runs and seven hits in the loss. OKC was also held without a homer for the first time in 10 games.
The Dodgers got off to a good start before Blazek settled in, as both
The Sky Sox (39-28) took their first lead in the bottom the second inning. With two on and none out,
The Dodgers pulled even in their next at-bat. Farmer notched his second double of the day, and Calhoun followed with a RBI single to make it 2-2.
With one out in the bottom of the inning,
After Cooper's double, Dodgers starting pitcher
The Dodgers seemed poised to tie the game in the fourth inning after
It stayed a 3-2 game until Blazek helped extend the Sky Sox's lead in the seventh inning, knocking a double with two outs. He then scored on a RBI single by
After Blazek left the game in the eighth, Verdugo and Farmer notched singles to put the tying runs on base, but
Verdugo and Farmer each collected multi-hit games and went a combined 5-for-8 with three doubles, but the rest of the lineup went just 2-for-25.
The Sky Sox finished the scoring the bottom of the eighth inning.
Wang remained in the game in the ninth inning and retired the side in order, earning his first career save.
With the loss, the Dodgers missed a chance to grab a share of first place in the American Northern Division for the first time this season. The Sky Sox have still maintained sole possession of first place since April 14.
The Dodgers and Sky Sox next meet Monday at 7:40 p.m. Central time. Live coverage begins at 7:25 p.m. on AM 1340 "The Game," 1340thegame.com, or through the free iHeartRadio mobile app.