First Inning Rally Propels X's to Win
May 23, 2018 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
Sioux Falls, SD - The Sioux City Explorers scored 6 runs in the top of the top of the first to catapult them to a 8-2 win over the Sioux Falls Canaries.
Luis Durango got things started for the Explorers with a base hit into centerfield Michael Lang and Jay Austin both reached on bunt infield base hits. With the bases loaded Nate Samson drove home Durango on an infield base hit. A Nelson Ward sacrifice fly drove home Michael Lang and a Jay Baum base hit drove home Jay Austin to make it 3-0 X's. Daniel Jackson then lined a base hit into left field to bring home Samson and put runners at first and second. Dexture McCall then came up with two outs and a soft liner into left center field brought home Baum and Jackson. It was one of two doubles for McCall.
The X's would collect 7 of their 10 hits in the game in the first inning. They have now scored 6 or more runs and have had 10 or more hits in four of their first five games.
Sioux Falls starter Jim Patterson would take the loss in this one, though after a rough first inning would settle down and only allow the Explorers to one run on three hits through the next four frames.
In the third inning Sioux City second baseman Nelson Ward was removed from the game after he suffered a knee injury from when he ran into the wall down the right field line. He was taken by an ambulance to a near by hospital.
Sioux City would add a run in the fourth when McCall doubled and was followed by a Durango base hit to bring him in. They would also add one in the eighth When Jay Baum would reach on an error, reach second and then steal third base. The throw on the steal attempt sailed high on Canaries catcher Aaron Gretz and go into left field allowing Baum to score the final run easily and make it 8-2 Explorers.
Explorers starter Luis Mateo earned the win and was impressive throwing five innings of two run ball, scattering six hits, striking out five and walking only one. The Canaries scored only once in the second and once in the third.
The X's bullpen was dominant in this one. Ryan Horstman, Tyler Fallwell, Parker Markel and Eric Karch combined to throw four, no-hit, scoreless innings with the only base runner allowed being a two out walk in the seventh. Sioux City pitching struck out 10 Canaries on the night.
The Explorers improve to 4-1 on the season and will play the Canaries in game two of the three game set Wednesday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:05.
Order your tickets for the 2018 home opener on Friday, May 25th by stopping down to the stadium box office at Mercy Field at Lewis & Clark Park, online at www.xsbaseball.com, or by calling 712-277-WINS (9467). Group rates available for groups of 20 or more for all (50) home games on the 2018 schedule!
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