Day Delivers Walk-Off Win in Pitching Duel
July 5, 2025 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
Sioux City Explorers pitcher Kyle Marman
(Sioux City Explorers)
SIOUX CITY, Iowa- The Sioux City Explorers (33-19) and Gary SouthShore RailCats (14-37) locked into a classic pitcher's duel Sunday night at Lewis and Clark Park, where every base runner felt magnified and every pitch carried weight. With just one run separating the two sides for most of the evening, the game's tension steadily mounted as the innings wore on, setting the stage for late-inning fireworks.
Jairus Richards entered the day in first place in the league in steals, with only one player within 15 steals of him. The 28-year-old outfielder wasted no time flashing his elite speed, beating out an infield single to first base and swiping second on Kyle Marman's (4-3) ensuing pitch. He advanced to third on a flyout and eventually crossed on Olivier Basabe's RBI single.
As the night wore on, the lone early run loomed large and continued to be the difference in the game. Marman settled in, and RailCat starter and former 2nd-round pick Spencer Adams gave up a single hit through the first four frames.
The Explorers compounded just one scoring chance through the first six innings. Josh Day and Carlos Castro each singled and Kurtis Byrne drew a two-out walk to load the bases in the home half of the fifth. Austin Davis, fresh off his three-hit game from the night before, stepped to the plate with a huge opportunity, but the speedster bounced into a fielder's choice and ended the inning.
The contest turned out to be the best pitcher's duel the Sioux City Explorers had seen up to this point in the season. Both arms made it through the eighth, but Marman pitched through the ninth.
Gary SouthShore manager Lamarr Rogers didn't send Adams back out for the final regulation inning; instead, he turned to former six-year Major Leaguer Cody Reed (0-2) to finish off the game and even the series.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, the Sioux City Explorers have routinely made noise in the ninth inning at Lewis and Clark Park, racking up six walk-off victories. It wouldn't be an easy outing for the lefty closer.
Henry George beat out a leadoff infield single, and Reed plunked Zac Vooletich to place the winning run on base. Two wild pitches plated George and moved Vooletich to third base.
The RailCats then intentionally walked Osvaldo Tovalin and Nick Shumpert to ensure a force at any base. Josh Day stepped to the dish and lined Reed's 1-1 offering into left field for his third walk-off knock of the year.
With the victory, Kyle Marman tossed the first nine-inning complete game of the season by a Sioux City Explorer.
The Explorers play the final game of the three-game series against the Gary SouthShore RailCats at Mercy Field at Lewis and Clark Park. The first pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. with the gates opening at 3:00 p.m. The game can be heard on radio at KSCJ 94.9 FM and 1360 AM and the video stream will air on aabaseball.tv. Tickets for all Explorers games are available at the ticket office or going online at xsbaseball.com. For more information, please call the Explorers' front office at 712-277-WINS. Stay tuned to the Explorers' social media channels and the club's website for all our news and updates.
Notes from the Booth:
-The X's have the most wins in the league at 33.
-Marman tossed the first nine inning complete game since June 16, 2021. (Patrick Ledet)
-Josh Day had the teams seventh walk off hit of the season.
-Day had two of the five X's hits.
-The Explorers are 5-0 against Gary SouthShore this season.
Images from this story
 Sioux City Explorers pitcher Kyle Marman |
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