Just imagine what Damian Moss would have done with a little time to prepare.

After learning at noon that he would be the starting pitcher for the Sky Sox on Wednesday night, Moss mustered up five shutout innings and handed the Colorado Springs bullpen a lead just big enough for a 7-5 win over Memphis.

Moss was thrust into the starting role after the Rockies called up scheduled starter Adam Eaton to fill a bullpen need.

“I’m a guy who is never going to turn down the ball,” said Moss, who drew upon his experience as a reliever. “I guess that helped. I’m always prepared to pitch whenever I come to the park.”

While Moss held Memphis in check, the Sky Sox offense broke out of a funk with a number of balls to the gaps.

The Sky Sox hit four doubles, including a pair by Sal Fasano, as the lead climbed to 6-0 before Memphis finally found a soft spot in the bullpen and provided a little drama.

“We did a better job tonight swinging the bats with runners in scoring position and that was the key,” said Sky Sox manager Stu Cole, whose team snapped just their second three-game home losing streak this year. “We don’t get those runs with two outs and that’s a tie ballgame.”

In the ninth, Memphis got the scorching Allen Craig to the plate representing the go-ahead run. But Matt Belisle got him on a ground ball to third to end the game.

Notes

Eric Young Jr. started in center field for the first time this season, though he did play there in the Arizona Fall League. … The announced attendance of 3,045 did not count 137 dogs in the stadium for the Bark in the Park promotion.

Major League MomentIn the fifth inning, Christian Colonel corralled a sharply hit chopper that took a tough bounce at third to get a key out.

In the fifth inning, Christian Colonel corralled a sharply hit chopper that took a tough bounce at third to force out Brian Barden. Photo by Kevin Kreck