Ryan Wheeler hit a tie-breaking two-run single and Kyle Parker followed with an insurance two-run double to lead Triple-A Colorado Springs to a 9-5 victory over Nashville on Wednesday.
The Sky Sox entered the late innings facing a 5-3 deficit but were able to keep it there after Chad Bettis tossed a pair of scoreless innings in which he hit a batter, gave up a single and struck out one. That allowed the offense to come through with six runs in the bottom of the eighth. The first scored as a result of a pair of fielding errors, then Tim Wheeler plated a run by getting plunked with the bases loaded. That set the stage for the big hits from Parker and Ryan Wheeler.
Colorado Springs got two hits apiece from Parker, Ryan Wheeler, Jason Pridie and Rafael Ynoa. Starting pitcher Leuris Gomez fared well, tossing three scoreless innings while striking out four and allowing three hits, but Manny Corpas proceeded to allow five runs on seven hits in 1⅔ innings.
Bettis, Wilton Lopez and Greg Burke all were unscored upon working out of the bullpen. Though he has given up some hits, Lopez is working on a five-game scorless streak which spans 4⅔ innings. The right-handed reliever has struck out eight and walked only one in eight total appearances with the Sky Sox.
Valaika homers in loss
Asheville shortstop Patrick Valaika hit a two-run homer that supplied the only offense in the Tourists' 4-2 loss to Lexington. Asheville was held to only five hits, and no player had more than one. David Dahl singled and scored on Valaika's home run but the other two highly touted prospects on the squad -- Raimel Tapia and Ryan McMahon -- went a combined 0-for-7 with three strikeouts.
Alex Balog took a hard-luck loss, working six innings and allowing three unearned runs on only four hits and a walk. He struck out two and lowered his ERA to 3.28 on the season.
Nuts lose again
Modesto lost for the fifth time in six games and now has a 10-24 record after dropping a 6-5 decision on the road at San Jose. The Nuts scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to tie the game, 5-5, on back-to-back extra-base hits from David Kandilas and Chris O'Dowd. Trevor Story struck out with a runner on second to end the rally, and after San Jose plated a run against Peter Tago in the bottom half of the frame, two of the three Modesto batters who stepped up to the plate in the ninth whiffed.
Story doubled and walked but struck out three times in five plate appearances. Will Swanner went 0-for-5.
Thursday probables
Colorado Springs: Christian Bergman
Tulsa: Daniel Winkler
Modesto: Matt Flemer
Asheville: Konner Wade