AA Sioux Falls Canaries

Canaries let one slip, 7-6

July 5, 2006 - American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release


Pensacola, FL - The Sioux Falls Canaries (1-1) could not stop a five-run lead from slipping away in a 7-6 loss to the Pensacola Pelicans (1-1) on Tuesday night.

The Canaries took the lead in the third inning. Chris Hall singled to lead off and advanced to second base on a bunt single by Angelo Fermin. After Jason Sugden and Chris Weber struck out, Ralph Santana came to the plate with two on and two out. Santana slapped a single through the middle and Hall came home to score, and the Canaries took a 1-0 lead.

The Birds widened their lead in the fifth inning. Jason Sugden was hit by a pitch to start the rally. Chris Weber followed by laying down a sacrifice bunt to advance Sugden to second, but pitcher Todd Androsko dropped the ball at first base allowing Weber to reach safely. Ralph Santana reached on a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out. Chad Hermansen singled to score Sugden and Weber for a 3-0 lead. Abner Arroyo doubled to score Santana and Hermansen putting the Canaries ahead 5-0.

The Pelicans got on the board in the sixth. Bo Brown led off with a single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. After Juan Rocha was hit by a pitch, George Branch doubled to score Brown and Rocha, making it 5-2. A wild pitch advanced Branch to third and a single by Larry Bethea drove him home, and it was 5-3.

Pensacola brought the game within a run in the seventh. Ed Montague and Drake Wade walked to start the inning. After a sacrifice bunt by Bo Brown, Rolo Avila singled to score Montague and the Canaries lead was trimmed, 5-4.

The Canaries got one back in the eighth. Chris Hall doubled to lead off the inning. Hall went to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch for a 6-4 Canaries lead.

Pensacola took the game from the Canaries grasp in the bottom of the eighth. Juan Rocha reached on an error by shortstop Angelo Fermin and George Branch walked to put two on. Larry Bethea laid down a sacrifice bunt, but Jason Cierlik threw the ball away at first base. The error allowed Rocha to score, but the Canaries managed to throw out Branch at the plate to maintain a 6-5 lead for the moment. Trino Aguilar singled to score Bethea and tie the game, 6-6. Drake Wade singled to score Aguilar for the 7-6 lead, and Tony Pierce came on for the save in the ninth.

Benny Walker (2-3) picked up the win for Pensacola, Jason Cierlik (2-4) was saddled with the loss. Tony Pierce nailed down his eleventh save of the season.

The Canaries and Pelicans play the rubber game in the three-game series on Thursday beginning at 6:35 p.m. The Canaries return to the Birdcage to host the St. Joe Blacksnakes for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday, July 11.

Check out the Sioux Falls Canaries Statistics



American Association Stories from July 5, 2006


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