AA Sioux Falls Canaries

Canaries Sweep Series With Explorers

Published on May 25, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release


Sioux Falls, SD - The Sioux Falls Canaries put up eight runs to Sunday afternoon at the Birdcage to complete a series sweep against Sioux City. The Birds used a five-run sixth inning to build an 8-5 win, giving starting pitcher Ryan Ford (1-2) his first win of the season.

The Explorers opened the scoring in the second inning when Chris Grossman doubled to lead off the inning. Grossman crossed the plate when Luke Hetherington singled giving Sioux City its first run of the series, snapping a 22 inning scoring drought. Grossman's run put the Explorers ahead, 1-0.

In the bottom half of the inning Josh Patton got aboard with a one-out walk. Patton matriculated around the bases when Ben Van Iderstine singled and Patrick Reilly was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Grant Richardson picked up his first of four RBI's when he grounded out to third, scoring Patton from third. Patton's run was the Birds only of the inning, tying the game, 1-1.

The Canaries took the lead in the fourth inning as Paul Smyth walked to open the inning, and later scored on a double by Reilly. The Birds held the lead at 2-1 after four innings.

In the bottom of the sixth the Birds' bats were awakened as the strung together seven hits before recording an out. Van Iderstine and Reilly opened the inning with back-to-back singles, Richardson attempted to lay down a bunt to advance both runners, but after an unsuccessful attempt, he was told to swing away, and crushed his first homer of the year over the left field fence. The three-run blast increased the Canaries lead to four, 5-1. Hutting followed with a single and scored one batter later as Kennard Bibbs tripled for the second time this season. Beau Torbert singled to score Bibbs. After six innings the Canaries led by six, 7-1.

The Explorers plated three runners in the top of the seventh with help from a Patton error. Luke Hetherington reached on the Patton error and eventually scored on a Tug Gillingham single. Two more runs scored on a Nick McCoola double, and the Explorers pulled within three, 7-4.

The Birds picked up their eighth run in their half of the seventh when Reilly hit his third homer of the season. Reilly's homer gave the Canaries an 8-4 lead. Sioux City would get one more run in the ninth, but it was too little, too late, as the Canaries swept the series with an 8-5 win in the finale.

Ford pitched 6.2 innings giving up four runs, one earned, on eight hits. Paul Fagan (0-3) took the loss for Sioux City.

The Canaries will take Memorial Day off before traveling to Wichita for a three game set. The Birds return home on Friday, May 30, to host the Lincoln Satldogs at 7:05 p.m. Friday will feature Negro League Uniforms and Friday Night Fireworks presented by Sanford Health.

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American Association Stories from May 25, 2008


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