It commonly is referred to as small ball, this Colorado Springs offense. But there is nothing small about it.

The Sky Sox might not be scoring with 400-foot monster shots like those hit by Omaha’s Tug Hulett, Brayan Pena and Cory Aldridge on Tuesday night. But a bunt single here and line drive there and next thing you know, it’s a six-run lead and an 8-5 victory before a crowd of 4,294 at Security Service Field.

“I’m fortunate that I’ve got some guys who like to play that kind of game, and it’s a style I like to manage,” Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells said. “Overall, I’m proud of the way they’ve shown up.”

The victory capped a 5-3 homestand that concluded with a 3-for-4 effort against the Royals. The Sky Sox (23-15) have their second off day of the season today before starting a four-game series Thursday at Round Rock.

The Sky Sox matched their season average of six runs a game in the first two innings, parlaying seven hits – three never leaving the infield, including two bunt singles by Eric Young Jr. – and a walk. Mark Bellhorn’s triple was the key blow, a bases-loaded line drive past a shallow-playing Royals right fielder Cory Aldridge to cap a four-run first inning.

It was one of three balls hit by the Sox that beat the I-dare-you Omaha outfield alignment.

“I didn’t realize until I hit it that he was playing kind of shallow,” said Bellhorn, who also doubled to raise his average 39 points to .235. “Anytime you get to that point, you want to get a couple of hits or even just hit the ball hard.”

All aspects of the offense were on display. The Sky Sox had 10 hits to pad their Pacific Coast League-leading .311 batting average. Young, in addition to his bunt singles, stole his 22nd base in 26 attempts and scored three times. Carlos Gonzalez had two hits, scored a run and drove in another. And Jonathan Herrera reached base for the 30th consecutive game.

As for the pitching, “We pitched just well enough,” Runnells said. Yes, the four pitchers gave up three home runs. But starting pitcher Kurt Birkins (1-1) bounced back from last week’s 11-run bludgeoning by Iowa to work five solid innings, giving up two runs on four hits, including a two-run shot to Hulett, who finished with three RBIs.

Matt Wilhite, Ben Julianel and Ryan Mattheus gave up three runs on four hits in the final four innings.

“When the guys get you all those runs, it’s a lot easier to pitch,” Birkins said. “You want to go out and do your best, but I didn’t want to be too fine (with my location).”

NotesThe start of the game was delayed by 43 minutes because of a passing thunderstorm. … The Sky Sox averaged 4,717 fans per game during the homestand.

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