Sky Sox stay hot with 9-6 win over Albuquerque

John Koronka pitched a season-high eight innings and Christian Colonel continued his hot streak to lead the Colorado Springs Sky Sox to their fifth win in seven games.

Colonel had three hits and Seth Smith slugged a two-run homer to fuel the 9-6 victory Tuesday at Security Service Field.

Koronka (4-0) was effective throughout, allowing a solo homer to Dallas McPherson and three runs in the fifth.

"There were a lot of positives about his outing," Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells said. "It would've made a difference in the fifth if we catch a ball and help him out. But it seems every game he has a hiccup. He's been very aggressive, though, when he stays aggressive."

Koronka, a 27-year-old southpaw, has major league experience with Texas and the Chicago Cubs. He's won three of his past four starts.

"He pitched to contact early in the count," Sky Sox catcher Rick Guarno said. "He mixed well and kept them off-balance."

Koronka also was proud of his RBI single in the second that gave the Sky Sox a 3-1 lead. He's hitting .308 with three RBIs.

The Sky Sox (18-20) split the four-game series with Albuquerque (20-18). The Sky Sox return May 23.

Colonel, a reserve infielder, raised his average to .375 with a double and two singles.

"Anybody that hits .375 is a bit of a surprise," Runnells said. "What I'm most impressed with is his pinch-hitting."

Colonel tied a long-standing Pacific Coast League record Sunday by getting a hit in his sixth straight pinch-hit appearance. All six were singles.

Dick Smith had six consecutive pinch-hits in 1957 and Jack Littrell accomplished the feat for Sacramento in 1960.

Notes
Ian Stewart, the Sky Sox's 23-year-old third baseman, was named the PCL's hitter of the week. The left-handed slugger hit .385 with three homers, nine RBIs and six runs last week. Stewart was the Colorado Rockies' first-round pick (10th overall) in 2003. He entered Monday's action tied for fifth in the PCL with 30 RBIs. ... Stewart extended his hitting streak to nine games. Smith has an eight-gamer and Nix is at seven.