Offense continues to spark Sky Sox

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 10, 2007 | by BOB STEPHENS THE GAZETTE

Red-hot Clint Barmes set the tone as the Colorado Springs Sky Sox rallied for their third straight comefrom-behind win against Tacoma.

Barmes had three hits, including a leadoff home run in the first inning, as the Sky Sox beat the Rainiers 11-8 on Saturday before 5,586 fans at Security Service Field.

"We're swinging the bats well and our pitchers are doing enough to hold (Tacoma) down and get some wins," said Barmes, who is 8-for- 16 in the series. "It's been tough for the pitchers on both sides."

The Sky Sox have scored 46 runs in their past three games. It's the first time they've scored at least 10 runs in three straight games since June 15-18, 2004, when they did it in four straight.

Tacoma scored in the first inning of all three games in the series, and has 24 runs, but could be swept in today's finale.

The Sky Sox (30-29) are 18-8 at home. They've won 16 of their past 19 at Security Service Field and moved within 11/2 games of first-place Salt Lake in the Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division.

"We've still got some work to do, some cleaning up to do, but obviously the guys are confident playing here at home," Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells said.

He's been especially pleased with Barmes.

"He's feeling comfortable and looking more and more each day like the old Barmie," Runnells said. "He's looking like a starting shortstop in the big leagues."

Joe Koshansky was 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs for the Sky Sox, who got RBIs from six players

Tacoma's seven RBIs came from two players. Jeff Clement had two homers, a double and four RBIs while Adam Jones had his third homer of the series and three RBIs.

The Sky Sox took a 5-2 lead in the third by stringing together five straight hits by Cory Sullivan, Barmes, Jayson Nix, Ian Stewart and Koshansky. They added three unearned runs in the fifth for an 8- 2 lead, highlighted by Doug Bernier's two-run double with two outs.

Sky Sox starter Bobby Keppel (2-5) snapped a personal four-game losing streak while battling a strained groin muscle.

Reliever Mike DeJean, recently promoted from Double-A Tulsa, made his first appearance with the Sky Sox since 2000.

TODAY

Tacoma (Jorge Campillo 2-2, 3.86 ERA) at Colorado Springs (Jorge De Paula 5-1, 4.07 ERA), 1:05 p.m., 1460 AM