Josh Fogg was clearly used to this sort of thing.

The major-league veteran dealt with base runners throughout his start Friday, but kept the carnage to a minimum as the Sky Sox beat Las Vegas 5-4 for consecutive home victories to open the season.

Fogg gave up eight hits and a walk in 41/3 innings – or put another way, hitters for the Blue Jays affiliate batted .400 against him – but allowed just three runs thanks in large part to a pair of double plays.

“I’m going to give up a lot of hits and get a lot of guys on base,” Fogg said. “It’s just a matter of limiting the guys who touch home plate. That’s the way I pitch.”

It’s been his style for a while. Fogg posted double-digit victories for the Rockies in 2006 and ’07 despite allowing more than one-and-a-half runners per inning each year.

“He’s a very intelligent pitcher,” Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells said. “My goodness, he’s pitched on the biggest stage there is. Certainly pitching here in Triple-A on a cold night in front of maybe 1,000 fans is not going to unnerve him.”

Attendance, incidentally, was announced at 2,140. Those on hand saw near-continuous action in the first few innings as the 51s went after pitches early in the count against Fogg.

Three consecutive hitters in the first inning put the first pitch into play, with two going for singles.

“I can’t speak for the other guys, but I was just trying to jump on strikes,” said Jason Lane, who singled twice against Fogg and knows him well from seven meetings in the majors. “He’s always been a good control guy who’s going to be around the plate and a guy who doesn’t want to fall behind.”

The Sky Sox offense provided its own share of action early in the game. The first four batters reached base safely and the Sky Sox led 3-1 after the first inning against Dirk Hayhurst (0-1).

The 51s tied the score against Fogg, but runs in the fifth and sixth gave Colorado Springs all it would need as the bullpen – led by 22/3 perfect innings from Scott Munter (1-0) – put in its second straight solid effort. Sky Sox relievers have combined for a 1.93 ERA through 91/3 innings.

Mike McCoy led the Sky Sox going 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles while starting in place of Eric Young Jr. at second base.

Young sat out after experiencing discomfort in his rib cage after a diving slide Thursday.

“I don’t think it’s serious,” Runnells said of Young’s condition. “It bothered him a little bit to swing, and there’s no reason to push it right now.”

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