Canaries Win Rubber Game with Shutout of X's
August 25, 2018 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
Sioux City, IA - Sioux Falls was able to win two of three games in the series with the Explorers as they shut out the X's 3-0.
Sioux Falls was lead by their starter Miles Nordgren (2-5) as he tossed 7 innings of shut out baseball. He scattered 5 hits and struck out 3 in the ball game. Nordgren had already faced the X's once before and tossed 2 shut out innings in relief for Sioux Falls against Sioux City back on May 23rd. On the year Nordgren has now tossed 9 shut out innings against the Sioux City Explorers.
While Nordgren was in the game only two Explorers made it to second base and only one made it to third.
James Dykstra the starter for Sioux City was also good but took the tough luck loss. Dykstra (8-4) went 7 innings, allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, struck out 7 and walked just one.
Dykstra would allow two runs to score in the third as Jordan Smith lead off with a walk and Jeff Malm crushed his third home run of the year going the opposite way to give Sioux Falls a 2-0 lead.
They would add to that in the fifth when Maxx Garrett doubled to lead off the inning. Dykstra was almost able to get out of the frame unscathed but Mike Hart would come through with a two out single to drive in Garrett and put Sioux Falls up 3-0.
X's pitching though was dominant down the stretch tossing four perfect innings to finish the game. Dykstra had a perfect sixth and seventh and Keith Picht who replaced him out of the pen had a perfect eighth and ninth, retiring all six batters that he faced.
Unfortunately for Sioux City, the Canaries bullpen was equally as good. Nicco Blank allowed a two out double to Michael Lang in the eighth but would leave him stranded at third and Kyle Schepel would pick up his second save of the series and 13th overall on the season with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Sioux City had it's magic number to clinch the division down to 1, but the loss to Sioux Falls coupled with Kansas City throttling Winnipeg 18-6 the X's will have to wait another day to secure the division crown. Ironically enough the Explorers play their next three games in Kansas City against the T-Bones.
That series begins on Sunday as the T-Bones and Explorers will play game one of the series at 5:05. Barrett Astin is on the hill for KC against Ian McKinney for the Explorers.
• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...
American Association Stories from August 25, 2018
- Wichita Takes Care of Business, Sweeps AirHogs - Wichita Wingnuts
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Big Hit Eludes Saltdogs in 8-3 Loss in Cleburne - Lincoln Saltdogs
- AirHogs Head to Lincoln After Finale Loss to Wichita - Texas AirHogs
- Canaries Win Rubber Game with Shutout of X's - Sioux City Explorers
- Saints Lose 12-4, But Magic Number for Playoff Berth Drops to Four - St. Paul Saints
- Nordgren, Birds Shut out Explorers for Series Win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Railroaders Stave off Sweep by Saltdogs - Cleburne Railroaders
- RailCats Reduce Magic Number to 4 with 4-2 Win over RedHawks - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Saints Add Outfield Depth Prior to Deadline, Sign Golden Gopher Alex Boxwell - St. Paul Saints
- Wingnuts Ink Rookie Righty Pastora, Activate Harvey - Wichita Wingnuts
- RailCats Acquire OF Huth from Cleburne, Re-Sign C Sneed - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Sandlot Night: a Feast for the Beast - Kansas City Monarchs
- AirHogs Look to Salvage Saturday vs. Wichita - Texas AirHogs
- Strikeouts Hurt Canaries in Road Loss to Sioux City - Sioux Falls Canaries
- X's in the Post Season After Win over Canaries - Sioux City Explorers
- Chicago Falls to St. Paul on Misty Night in Rosemont - Chicago Dogs
- Ibarra Carries Saltdogs to 10-3 Win - Lincoln Saltdogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
