Matzek's arm, bat lead way for Sky Sox

Left-hander Tyler Matzek, the Rockies' No. 12 prospect, did it all Tuesday night for Triple-A Colorado Springs. He threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings and hit his first career home run, leading the Sky Sox to a 2-0 victory vs. Nashville.

Matzek had thrown five scoreless innings when he came to the plate to lead off the sixth inning. He struck out looking in his first at-bat of the game and was 5-for-22 in his career. But facing right-hander Johnnie Lowe, he drove a pitch out to left field. Matzek's first professional home run gave the Sky Sox the lead and all the offense he needed.

Matzek threw 2 2/3 more scoreless innings before a two-out walk in the eighth prompted manager Glenallen Hill to go to his bullpen. Right-hander Chris Martin got the final four outs to earn the save.

Matzek struck out three batters, walked two and scattered four hits. He threw 94 pitches and was one out shy of matching the longest start of his career. He went 1-for-3 at the plate.

Colorado Springs tacked on an insurance run in the ninth, when outfielder Kyle Parker doubled and came around to score on a bases-loaded walk. Parker, the Rockies' No. 6 prospect, went 1-for-3 with a walk, and he's hitting .283 with an .819 OPS this season.

Matzek, the 11th overall pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, improved to 5-2 with a 3.20 ERA with the victory. He has struck out 50 batters and walked 25 in 56 1/3 innings this season.