Results tagged ‘ Colorado Springs Sky Sox ’
An end to the beginning
The 51s’ first home series of the season will end tonight. So far, the series has taught us that the myth of Cashman Field as a home for offensive fireworks isn’t based on reality: Sunday’s 3-1 loss was the second game of the series to feature a victor scoring just three runs.
Tonight’s finale was headed for another pitching duel until Rockies’ 2007 postseason hero Franklin Morales was called back up to the big club Monday. Now, 51s ace Wade Miller, the former Astros fireballer, will face an as-yet-determined opponent, most likely a collection of Colorado Springs Sky Sox bullpen arms.
Check back tonight or tomorrow for a recap of this series, the lessons it has taught observers and a preview of the next series, a four-game set against the only team in the Pacific Coast League with a worse record than Las Vegas, the Fresno Grizzlies.
If you’re going to tonight’s game, here are some players to keep an eye on.
LAS VEGAS
Miller – From 2001 through 2002, Wade Miller had a won-loss record of 31-12 with an ERA below 3.50 for the Houston Astros. But arm troubles have left him unable to reach that peak again, so he will use his time with the 51s to prove he still has it in him. Miller’s fastball was always his best pitch, so watch his velocity, placement and movement on that pitch tonight to see if he is rounding back into form.
Angel Sanchez, SS — The 51s’ usual No. 9 hitter almost has his average up to .300 after going 1-for-2 with a double and a sacrifice bunt Sunday and reaching base three times on Saturday.
Aaron Mathews, OF — Nobody performed well offensively for the 51s on Sunday in their dreadful 3-1 defeat, but Mathews played some hard defense in leftfield, making one running catch in foul territory and dropping another only after running into the wall with a ton of force. He’s a gutsy outfielder who will get a lot of cheers from fans this year for his all-out play.
COLORADO SPRINGS
Carlos Gonzalez, OF — He has been on this list for every game in the series, and has shown why. While the 51s have scored only eight runs in the first three games of the series, Gonzalez has scored four and driven in five. He has also played a majestic centerfield, finally showing off his arm on Sunday with a long throw to third that didn’t result in an out but did get some “aaaahs” from the crowd.
Matt Murton, OF — His 2-for-3 day on Sunday put his average back up above .400.
Whoever starts for the Sky Sox — So far in the series, the 51s have scored just three earned runs off of Sky Sox starting piching in 19 innings. With today’s starter still TBD as of now, the 51s may not have a chance to get much of a scouting report on whoever does take the mound and could struggle.
Preview: 51s vs. Sky Sox, April 19
In just more than an hour, the 51s will take the field for their first day game this year at Cashman Field. Making his Las Vegas debut will be Brian Burres, one of two 51s starters with extensive experience in the majors.
The 6’2″ lefty had a 13-18 won-loss record with the Baltimore Orioles in the last three season while swinging from the bullpen to the rotation and back. He has appeared in 79 major-league games, 39 of them starts, and has a career ERA of 5.88 and WHIP of 1.655.
According to scouting reports, he relies on a strong changeup to complement his high-80s fastball and decent curve to get batters out.
Burres has a good track record at AAA, pitching well in the International League in 2006, so he could put up a good performance today. Here are some other players to keep an eye on.
LAS VEGAS
Buck Coats, OF – One of only two 51s with multiple hits last night, Coats went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored and had the crowd chanting his name before his double in the ninth inning. Of course, with a name like Buck Coats, how could they not?
Brett Harper, 1B/DH – The other player with multiple hits last night, Harper also got the start at 1B and made a strong throw in the first inning to nail Carlos Gonzalez trying to go from first to third on a hit-and-run groundout. Plus, he was nice enough to do a podcast with 51s Today, so have to show him some more love.
Jason Lane, OF – A great defensive play in the ninth inning Friday night, an RBI triple and run scored in the ninth inning Saturday night – 51s Today is just waiting for this guy to come to the plate in the ninth with a tie game.
COLORADO SPRINGS
Alan Johnson, P – The Sky Sox starter impressed in his first outing, giving up no runs and only two hits in six innings of work against Reno for the win. That win must have felt good after his 4-14 record last year in AA.
Dan Ortmeier, 1B – The first baseman and former San Francisco Giants prospect went 2-3 Saturday night with a double, single and walk and left the game in the seventh, leaving him nice and rested for today.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF – The most impressive player in the first two games, Gonzalez is 4-9 with a home run, four RBI and four runs scored so far in the series and has shown nice defensive skills.
Cecil ceases to amaze in home debut
Postgame fireworks lit up the Las Vegas sky at Cashman Field on Saturday. Unfortunately, the in-game fireworks were mostly provided by the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Brett Cecil, the 51s’ highly-touted pitching prospect, was knocked out in the third inning of his first home start after giving up six runs, and Las Vegas went on to lose 9-4.
Cecil’s undoing began at the bottom of the order, with catcher Sal Fasano and shortstop Jonathan Herrera opening up the third inning with a single and double. He attempted to settle down and struck out Sky Sox leadoff hitter Eric Young Jr., but Carlos Gonzalez opened the floodgates with a two-run single. Two walks and two doubles later, the 51s were down 6-0 and Cecil was headed for an early shower.
The pitcher to watch in this game started for the Sky Sox. Brandon Hyrick, just recalled from extended spring training for his second appearance with Colorado Springs this year, obviously picked up a few things during his time in Florida. He controlled the 51s for seven full innings, giving up just two hits while striking out three and walking none.
Down 9-0 in the ninth inning, the 51s finally gave the fans something to cheer about, rallying for four runs off former San Francisco Giants reliever Scott Munter. The fans appreciated the effort, cheering loudly throughout and even chanting Buck Coats’ name with two outs and a seven-run deficit, spurring the outfielder to an RBI double that kept the game going.
Fans were rewarded for sticking around with post-game fireworks that would rival the shows at major-league parks.
Player of the game
Hyrick – The young hurler used only 79 pitches to roll through his seven innings of work. He pitched to contact and had great control, throwing 55 strikes. With more work like this, he’ll start moving up the Rockies’ prospect list.
Hitter of the game
Gonzalez – The five-tool prospect who has been involved in blockbuster trades each of the last two offseasons had another good game, getting hits in each of his first three at-bats. He knocked in three runs and scored two while again playing a masterful centerfield.
Plays of the game
While none of the defense from Saturday night’s game could match Jason Lane’s diving catch to end Friday night’s home opener, there were still some eye openers. On the 51s side, Aaron Matthews made a nice leaping catch at the left field wall in the second inning, stealing a double from Matt Murton. For the Sky Sox, Kenny Wallace started and finished an exquisite 3-6-3 double play in the eighth inning after moving from third base to first.
Notes: The 51s’ win on Friday made them 8-1 in their last nine home openers. … Alberto Quintana is the new backup catcher for the 51s, jumping up from the Blue Jays’ A-league team in Dunedin to replace Raul Chavez, who was promoted to Toronto on Saturday. He played the last two innings Saturday night. … A fan asked his girlfriend to marry him with help of the big screen and public address announcer between the second and third inning. She said yes.
Coming tomorrow: I’ll be posting my podcast interview with Brett Harper (who had another RBI double and runs scored Saturday, by the way). He had some fun things to say about growing up around the 1991 Minnesota Twins, whom his dad played for. Also, check back for a preview and recap of game three of the 51s-Sky Sox series, which starts at 12:05 p.m.
Preview: 51s vs. Sky Sox, April 18th
Las Vegas 51s fans who attended last night’s home opener are still buzzing about what an outstanding baseball game they witnessed. The last play of the game — Jason Lane’s diving catch of a line drive that would have at least tied the score if not given away the lead — will be one of the best highlights of the season no matter what happens from here on out.
But you can’t live on memories forever, and tonight’s game promises to be interesting, if for only one reason: 51s’ fans first chance to see pitching prospect Brett Cecil. Cecil, Baseball America’s No. 72-ranked prospect in all of baseball and the No. 3 prospect in the Blue Jays system, could be the next big star to call Las Vegas home for the season.
Cecil told 51s Today last week that he has been working on his changeup since last season, mixing it in with his solid two-seam fastball and his out-pitch, a nasty breaking slider. He will probably throw that changeup more to righties than lefties, so keep an eye out for it. Minor-league baseball gives fans the opportunities to see future stars refining their skills early in their career, and this is definitely an opportunity to see a player growing into what he will be.
Cecil will be the focus for most of the people in attendance tonight, but here are some other players to watch.
LAS VEGAS
Randy Ruiz, 1B — Ruiz told 51s Today after last night’s game that he is hitting at least 200 balls a day with batting coach Ken Joyce, and it certainly seems to be paying off. He has the second-most home runs in the PCL after hitting his fourth last night and also has the second-highest slugging percentage at .933.
Brett Harper, DH — Harper had the other key hit in last night’s game, a double off the very top of the leftfield wall that led to the tying and winning runs. Harper promised 51s Today some time for a podcast interview before tonight’s game, so keep an eye out for that late tonight or tomorrow.
Jeremy Accardo, P — Accardo closed out last night’s thriller, so he may not pitch again tonight, but be ready to see something special when he does. Accardo was sitting in the mid-90s with his fastball last night and making hitters look ridiculous on some swings. With talent like his, he may not be in Las Vegas long, so pay attention when he steps to the mound.
COLORADO SPRINGS
Brandon Hynick, P — Hynick was the scheduled starter as of last night, though right now the Sky Sox Web site reports that the starter is yet to be determined. If it is Hynick, he doesn’t com ein on a hot streak: his only start this year, against the Reno Aces, was a blowout 10-2 loss in which he gave up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings. Hynick was Baseball America’s Rockies pitcher of the year in A ball in 2007 and MLB.com’s Class A starter of the year that season, but has yet to excel above that level, going 10-7 with a 4.44 ERA and less than 5 strikeouts per 9 innings last season in AA.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF — Gonzalez turned in stellar work last night against the 51s, hitting s line-drive home run and also getting on base with a hit-by-pitch and a walk in ive plate appearances. He also played a stellar centerfield, making several tough running catches appear easy.
Eric Young Jr., 2B — Young, the son of former major leaguer Eric Young, showed blazing speed last night and could be a terror on the basepaths. If he gets on base, keep a close eye on him; 51s catcher J.P. Arencibia has only thrown out one of 13 attempted baserunners so far this season and teh Sky Sox could seek to take advantage.
Make sure to check back later tonight or tomorrow for the 51s Today recap of the game and (hopefully) an interview with Brett Harper.
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