Explorers Break out to Avoid Sweep with 11-3 Win
Published on August 21, 2026 under American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
D'Shawn Knowles of the Sioux City Explorers
(Sioux City Explorers, Credit: Tim Tushla)
SIOUX CITY, IOWA - Sioux City (39-44) avoided the sweep on Thursday night, rolling past Fargo - Moorhead (44-39) with an 11-3 victory behind a six - run knockout inning.
Manager Steve Montgomery liked the approach against RedHawks starter Matt Walker, "We had a good plan and took advantage of the opportunities we were given tonight."
The Explorers grabbed their first lead of the series in the second when D'Shawn Knowles doubled to left to make it 1-0.
Sioux City added three more in the third. The first three batters reached, setting up a pair of sacrifice flies and another RBI from Knowles to push the lead to 4-0.
Fargo - Moorhead answered in the fourth, getting to Mertens the second time through the order. Matt Kroon and Juan Fernandez each drove in runs to cut the lead to 4-2.
In the fifth, Henry George opened the inning with a solo homer to right for his 10th of the season to extend the lead to 5-2.
The RedHawks responded in the sixth on an RBI double from José Sermo, playing for the first time in the series after missing three games with a knee issue, trimming the deficit to 5-3.
Mertens finished with his third straight quality start, allowing just three runs across six innings.
Sioux City broke the game open in the bottom half.
The Explorers erupted for six runs on four hits, with RBIs from Zac Vooletich, George, Alberto Osuna, and Knowles, who capped his four - RBI night as the lead ballooned to 11-3.
The bullpen slammed the door. Tahnaj Thomas, Nate Gercken, and Ryan Beaird combined for three perfect innings, retiring all nine batters they faced.
Sioux City opens a three - game set with Winnipeg on Friday at 6:35 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:05 p.m. on KSCJ 94.9 FM and 1360 AM. Fans can also watch every American Association game this season on the league's streaming platform at aabaseball.tv. Tickets for all remaining games are available now by calling the Explorers front office at 712-277-WINS or online at xsbaseball.com.
Notes from the Booth with DV:
-Nate Mertens tossed his third quality start and the team is 3-0 in those starts.
-Henry George reached base for the 23rd straight game.
-The season finished at 6-6.
-Sioux City is 9-9 in August.
-Sioux City dropped is 21-23 at home this season.
-Alberto Osuna is 16-for-32 in his last eight games.
-Sioux City was 3-for-3 in stolen bases and stole nine in the series and 45 in 12 games against Fargo.
-The Explores trail Sioux Falls by three and a half games and do not own the tie breaker for the final playoff spot.
-Pitcher Jarod Wright pitch ran for Yorman Rodriguez in the sixth.
Images from this story
 Sioux City Explorers pitcher Nathan Mertens (Tim Tushla) |
 D'Shawn Knowles of the Sioux City Explorers (Tim Tushla) |
American Association Stories from August 21, 2026
- Sioux City Takes Opener, 8-5, Behind True Rookie Poe - Sioux City Explorers
- Saltdogs Unable to Overcome Big RedHawks Start - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Dogs Lose Big in Gary - Chicago Dogs
- Dogs Escape No-Hit Bid Late - Chicago Dogs
- Monarchs Utilize the Long Ball to Power Past Canaries - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Cougars Split Doubleheader with DockHounds - Kane County Cougars
- Monarchs Belt Three Homers to Cruise Past Canaries - Kansas City Monarchs
- Game Comes off the Rails Early, Bats Silent in Series Finale - Lake Country DockHounds
- Explorers Homestand Continues - Sioux City Explorers
- Olivero Comes One out Short of History, RailCats Sweep Dogs 10-0 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Canaries Walk off Goldeyes in Series Finale - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Monarchs Power Past Saltdogs to Complete Series Sweep - Kansas City Monarchs
- Explorers Break out to Avoid Sweep with 11-3 Win - Sioux City Explorers
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