AA Sioux Falls Canaries

Canaries win division

Published on June 26, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release


Sioux Falls, SD - The Sioux Falls Canaries (28-17) clinched the North Division Championship with a 6-2 win over the St. Paul Saints (24-21) on Friday night in front of a crowd of 3,441 at The Birdcage. Grant Richardson led the way for the Birds with two home runs to help lift the Canaries to victory.

Richardson hit his first home run of the night and his third of the season in the bottom of the first inning to give the Canaries an early 1-0 lead.

The Saints threatened to score in the second inning. With two outs, Heath Keel walked, Zach Goldberg singled, and Steve Butler reached on a base on balls. St. Paul loaded the bases, but Canaries starting pitcher Ben Moore got out of the jam when Ryan Priddy grounded out to the third baseman to end the inning.

The Canaries exploded for five more runs in the fifth inning. Patrick Reilly hit his eighth home run of the season to give the Canaries a 2-0 lead. Paul Smyth followed with a single in an at bat that was prolonged when Saints second baseman Julius Thames dropped a fly ball in foul territory. Tim Hutting made it back-to-back singles, putting two runners on for Kennard Bibbs. Bibbs hit a ground ball to the right side that was misplayed by Saints first baseman Tim Brown. Smyth scored on the play to give the Canaries a 3-0 lead. Richardson then delivered his second home run of the game, a three-run shot. Richardson's fourth blast of the season put the Canaries up 6-0.

St. Paul got on the scoreboard in the seventh inning. Brent Krause was hit by a pitch to get on base, and then former Wichita Wingnut Heath Keel hit his first home run with the Saints to make it a four-run game, 6-2.

Ben Moore (5-3) won his third straight start, pitching seven innings and allowing two runs on two hits in the win. Josh Kite pitched a perfect eighth inning, and Kris Regas pitched a perfect ninth inning to seal the win. Mitch Wylie (0-2) took the loss for St. Paul.

The Canaries and Saints will play the second-game of the four-game series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. The Canaries will celebrate their North Division Championship with an Olympic Salute featuring Special Olympians presented by Meta Payment Systems and Friday Night (North Division Championship) Fireworks presented by Sanford Health.

Check out the Sioux Falls Canaries Statistics

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American Association Stories from June 26, 2008


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