Redhawks Lose Third-Straight To Sky Sox

The Colorado Springs Sky Sox took an early lead, then closed out the game with four unanswered runs in a 6-2 win against the Oklahoma City RedHawks Thursday at Security Service Field.

The RedHawks (45-43) won the series opener between the teams, but Colorado Springs responded by winning the final three games to take the series.

The Sky Sox (38-49) took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning Thursday. Oklahoma City was able to tie the game in the third inning, and the score remained tied until Colorado Springs took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Oklahoma City lost for the seventh time in eight road games and has now dropped nine of the last 12 games overall.

RedHawks starting pitcher Jake Buchanan (6-5) made his first appearance since securing his first Major League win with the Houston Astros. He had a tough first inning, throwing 41 pitches in the frame as Colorado Springs built a 2-0 lead.

The first two batters Buchanan faced hit singles before he issued a walk to Ben Paulsen to load the bases.

Kyle Parker followed by grounding into a double play and the first run of the night scored for an early Sky Sox lead.

Tim Wheeler drew a walk before Angelys Nina followed with a single to bring home another run for a two-run advantage. Drew Garcia was hit by a pitch to once again load the bases for Colorado Springs, but Buchanan was able to secure the final out of the inning.

After the first inning, Buchanan responded by retiring 10 of the next 11 batters he faced.

Oklahoma City's lone runs of the night scored in the third inning.

Ronald Torreyes singled with one out before Robbie Grossman connected on a double on a fly ball to right field. The hit extended Grossman's hitting streak with Oklahoma City to 14 games, tying Gregorio Petit for the longest hitting streak by a RedHawk this season.

With runners at second and third, Jonathan Villar followed and hit a RBI single on a grounder toward second base to cut the Sky Sox lead to 2-1.

Marc Krauss then drove in his 25th RBI in 26 games with the RedHawks when he grounded out to tie the game, 2-2.

The score remained tied until Colorado Springs grabbed the lead once again in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Kyle Parker led off with a single, then scored on a line drive triple to right field by Tim Wheeler. Later in the inning, a sacrifice fly by Jackson Williams brought home Wheeler for a 4-2 advantage.

Buchanan pitched six innings, allowing four runs and seven hits in the loss. He walked a season-high four and struck out one before Bobby Doran entered the game to pitch in the seventh inning.

The Sky Sox added two more runs in the seventh.

Rafael Ynoa singled to lead off the inning, then scored to give the Sky Sox a 5-2 edge when Ben Paulsen doubled on a fly ball to left field. Ynoa finished with a game-high three hits.

With two outs later in the inning, Nina drove in his second run of the night when he connected on a single to left field for a four-run lead.

The RedHawks were held to just three hits after the third inning and were outhit, 10-8, as rain fell throughout the game. Villar and Austin Wates each led Oklahoma City with two hits apiece.

Brett Tomko (6-3) earned the win, holding the RedHawks to two runs and six hits through six innings. He did not issue a walk and had three strikeouts.

The RedHawks return to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark Friday to open a seven-game homestand and host an Independence Day Celebration with a 7:05 p.m. game against the Iowa Cubs. A post-game fireworks show will follow.