Explorers' Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Loss to Monarchs
Published on September 4, 2026 under American Association (AA)
Source: Sioux City Explorers News Release
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Sioux City (47-49) suffered a tough 5-4 defeat to Kansas City (56-40) on Thursday night, a setback in a tight West Division playoff race.
Kansas City struck first in the second inning as Sahid Valenzuela doubled to open the frame, and Hudson Head followed with a single to left to bring him home for a 1-0 lead.
Sioux City pulled even in the fifth when Jackson Van De Brake lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Alberto Osuna to tie the game at 1-1.
The Monarchs answered immediately.
In the bottom half, Luken Baker crushed a three - run homer to left, his 25th of the year, giving Kansas City a 4-1 advantage.
The Explorers threatened in the sixth with runners at first and second and nobody out, but Henry George was picked off at second, and Sioux City couldn't capitalize.
The seventh brought the response Sioux City needed. Van De Brake singled home Yorman Rodriguez to cut the deficit to 4-2, and on the next pitch Zac Vooletich launched a two - run homer to left, tying the game 4-4.
Kansas City regained the lead in the eighth when Head homered to left, putting the Monarchs ahead 5-4.
Sioux City nearly answered in the ninth.
Austin Davis reached on a grounder that Valenzuela bobbled before recovering to get JD Rogers at second. Davis stole second and third to put the tying run 90 feet away. Vooletich grounded out to third, stranding Davis and ending the comeback bid.
Sioux City opens its final regular - season series Friday against Lake Country 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. xsbaseball.com.
Notes from the Booth with DV:
-Sioux City won the head-to-head with Kansas City 7-5.
-The X's four game winning streak the longest of the season came to a hault.
-Sioux City is 10-7 over the last two seasons in Kansas City.
-The Explores have 271 stolen bases four shy of last years total.
-The loss and a win for Sioux Falls put the X's a game behind the Canaries but with the tie breaker in the favor of Sioux Falls the lead is actually two with four to play. The Canaries magic number to eliminate the X's from postseason play is now at three.
-The X's are 8-18 in one run games.
American Association Stories from September 4, 2026
- Explorers' 9-Run Rally Not Enough in 12-11 Loss to Lake Country - Sioux City Explorers
- Caravalho, Curialle Propel Birds to Third Consecutive Win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Lincoln Drops Series Opener to Canaries - Lincoln Saltdogs
- RedHawks Clinch Playoff Spot, Sermo Breaks RBI Record - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Caravalho, Curialle Propel Birds to Third Consecutive Win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Timpanelli, Bats Lead Cougars Past Railroaders - Kane County Cougars
- Railroaders Announce First-Round Postseason Plans; Round One Watch Party Scheduled for September 11. - Cleburne Railroaders
- RedHawks Hold off Goldeyes in Series Finale - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Hudson Head the Difference, Kansas City Snatches Narrow Win over Sioux City - Kansas City Monarchs
- Explorers' Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Loss to Monarchs - Sioux City Explorers
- Saltdogs Defeat Milkmen in Home Finale - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Parker Harm Propels RedHawks with Gem - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
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