Explorers Steam Down the Tracks to a Series Win over RailCats
July 28, 2025 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
GARY, Ind. - The Sioux City Explorers (45-24) continued their dominant stretch with a 5-1 win over the Gary SouthShore RailCats (22-47), securing yet another series victory. A steady mix of timely hitting and bullpen depth helped Sioux City control the game after a weather delay halted play mid-contest.
Much like the rest of this series, the pitching set the tone early. Jared Wetherbee and Peyton Long (4-5) kept the game scoreless through four as the offenses combined for four hits in that stretch.
Sioux City pulled Wetherbee after four frames as an injury precaution. Veteran right-hander Nate Gercken (5-2) entered in the fifth, and Gary SouthShore's offense promptly ignited. Gercken retired Jake Guenther to start his outing, but three consecutive base hits, most notably Cooper Edwards' RBI single, provided the RailCats with a 1-0 advantage.
The Explorers answered in the ensuing half-inning, opening the frame with three consecutive hits of their own. Josh Day capped the rally with a two-run single that gave the Explorers their first lead of the day. Rain began to fall immediately after the go-ahead knock, suspending the game for more than three hours.
Demarcus Evans took over for Gary SouthShore when play resumed and worked around a walk to Nick Shumpert to finally send the game into the bottom of the sixth inning. Rookie left-hander Ben DeTaeye replaced the ten-year professional and sent the RailCats down in order.
Former Explorer Denson Hull took the mound in the seventh and struggled through the inning. He walked Henry George, extending his on-base streak to 22 games, and did the same to Zac Vooletich. The next batter, D'Shawn Knowles, poked a single into center field, driving in George and extending the X's lead.
DeTaeye recorded one out in the bottom of the seventh before manager Steve Montgomery turned to Brett Matthews after Jake Hoover doubled. The tall right-hander faced the tying run twice in the frame and retired both hitters punctuating his outing with a strikeout of Edwards.
Chase Jessee fired a scoreless eighth, Josh Day added two more RBI to his game total and Felix Cepeda popped out for the ninth. The righty worked an easy outing as the Sioux City Explorers won their ninth straight series.
The Explorers will be off Monday July 28 and return to action Tuesday July 29 in game one of a three game series against the Kansas City Monarchs. The game time is set for 7:05 p.m. and the gates will open at 6:00 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, xsbaseball.com, for all our news and updates.
Notes from the Booth with DV:
-The X's have a league best 45-24 record.
-Henry George reached base for the 22nd straight game.
-The game was delayed for three hours and nine minutes.
-The Explorers won the season series against the RailCats 8-2.
-Josh Day had a four RBI game, his second four RBI game and his 11th multi-RBI game to lead the team.
-Nate Gercken won his 17th game as an Explorer. He is tied of 7th in organization history.
-Sioux City swiped four bases.
TUNE INTO ALL THE EXPLORERS ACTION ON KSCJ AND AABASEBALL.TV.
American Association Stories from July 28, 2025
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- Explorers Steam Down the Tracks to a Series Win over RailCats - Sioux City Explorers
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