All things considered, the Sky Sox couldn’t have asked for a better scenario.

The fastest player in the league was on second base. One of the top hitters in the minors was at the plate.

One hit separated Colorado Springs from completing a five-run comeback. A long one would mean victory.

But the firework was a dud.

Carlos Gonzalez hit a broken-bat one-hopper to second base, stranding Eric Young Jr. as Tacoma escaped Security Service Field a 6-5 winner Saturday.

“They had what they wanted,” said Tacoma reliever Randy Messenger, who gave up three perfectly placed hits in a tight-rope, four-out save. “Fast guy on base, the big bopper up – but as a pitcher, you want those situations too and you just want to come in and be aggressive.”

Messenger did just that, continuing an approach against Gonzalez that neutralized the Sky Sox center fielder – batting .333 with 51 RBIs in 44 games – in an 0-for-5 afternoon.

“Watching from the bullpen, I could see that he wasn’t being aggressive on the first pitch,” Messenger said. “The first pitch I threw to him was a fastball. It was supposed to be away, but it came back across the middle so I’m pretty glad he didn’t swing at it.”

Gonzalez fouled off the next pitch, finding himself in an 0-2 hole. Hitting on Messenger’s terms, he sawed off his bat on the third pitch and ended the game with the handle still in his hand.

“Every day isn’t going to be a great day,” Gonzalez said. “That’s the great thing about this game. You can just forget about it and come back tomorrow.”

The way the game started, few would have guessed a Sky Sox hitter would have a chance at heroics.

Starting pitcher Jason Hirsh gave up a two-run homer to Michael Saunders and a three-run shot to Jeff Clement in his five innings, leaving the Sky Sox in a 6-1 hole.

Colorado Springs pecked back with a run in the sixth and seventh, then plated a pair in the eighth.

That set up the ninth, which Young started with a bloop single between the shortstop and center fielder.

With Messenger’s quick delivery, interim manager Rene Lachemann opted to bunt Young to second rather than attempt his 30th stolen base of the season.

“There was also the possibility of hit-and-run,” Lachemann said. “If I could bunt him over, I take my chances with my two biggest hitters (Mike McCoy and Gonzalez) to drive him in.”

McCoy flied to center before the Gonzalez groundout.

Lachemann won’t have to make those decisions anymore as Tom Runnells’ replacement arrives for today’s game.

“Yep,” Lachemann said. “That’s up to Stu Cole now.”

NotesMark Bellhorn had four hits for the Sky Sox. … Left-hander Franklin Morales will start today for Colorado Springs in a rehab assignment.

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