AA Sioux City Explorers

Explorers stop losing skid; shut out Ft. Worth

Published on May 16, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release


SIOUX CITY, IA -- Sioux City used strong pitching from Alexander Francisco and 4 relievers plus timely hitting from Rookie SS Sam Walker to shut out Ft. Worth 5-0 on Friday night at Lewis & Clark Park.

The X's broke a 4 game losing skid with the win and struck early with 2 runs in the 2nd. Alex Llanos got a 1 out single off Cat starter Ryan Riddle, Luke Hetherington would walk and then Walker would drill an opposite field double to right to plate both runs.

Walker would start an X's rally I the 5th with a leadoff double to left. Jorge Rodriquez would sacrifice him over to third, Jason Tuttle would get hit by a pitch and Nick McCoola would find the hole in left for a RBI single to make it 3-0. Juan Camacho would drive in Tuttle with a RBI hit to make it 4-0. The X's added one more run in the 6th on a RBI single by Rodriquez, scoring Hetherington from 2nd.

Francisco, meanwhile, pitched 5 strong innings, allowing 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 1. Francisco got help by a Willie James base running blunder in the 3rd. James got a 1 out single and then stole 2nd. After Brian Fryer struck out and Charles Carter walked, Nilson Teilon hit a bouncer to short which Walker bobbled for an error but James decided to try and score. Grossman would block the plate and Walker's throw home was perfect for the third out of the inning.

The X's turned 3 double plays on the night. Cameron Cheek pitched 2 perfect innings of relief, giving 3 pop ups and striking out 3. Paige Dumont, Tony O'Donnell, and Garvis Romero also combined on the shutout.

Walker was the offensive star, going 2 for 4, with 2 doubles, 2 RBI, and a run. Hetherington went 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Camacho went 2 for 4 with a RBI. McCoola went 2 for 4 with a double and RBI. The bottom 3 hitters in the order (Hetherington, Walker & Rodriquez) went a combined 4-10 with 3 runs, 2 doubles and 3 RBI.

The X's improved to 2-7 on the year while Ft. Worth fell to 4-4. Sioux City will turn to LHP Tim Layden on Saturday night while the Cats will counter with LHP Joel Kirsten. Game time is 7:05 and can be heard on 1360 KSCJ and xsbaseball.com.

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