High Scoring Eighth Inning Pushes Canaries Past Wichita

July 19, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release

WICHITA, Kan. - Sioux Falls (23-32) got off to a slow start in game one on Sunday evening, but picked up the slack as they scored five runs in the top of the eighth inning. The Canaries went on to defeat the Wichita Wingnuts (32-23) by a final of 5-2 at Lawrence Dumont Stadium.

The Wingnuts answered first in the bottom of the second inning when Starlin Rodriguez scored on a sacrifice fly from John Nester. It was a quiet game until Nester stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the sixth, hitting a solo homerun over the left field wall.

Sioux Falls starting pitcher Shawn Blackwell (1-7, 4.07 ERA) kept the Canaries in the game as he threw six innings, giving up one earned run on three hits. The Birds' called on Will Rankin in the top of the seventh as he threw a scoreless inning of relief, while also picking up the win.

The Canaries did most of their damage in the top of the eighth when David Bergin led things off with an RBI single. RJ Perucki followed shortly after with an RBI ground-out that scored Jerome Pena. Canaries' veteran Jason Repko stepped up to the plate next and hit a towering two-run homerun over the left field wall to tack on a couple insurance runs for Sioux Falls. Finally, Birds' newcomer Michael Broad picked up his first RBI in a Canaries uniform after hitting a single that allowed Jason Repko to score from third. Repko paced the Canaries offense going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, a run and a homerun.

It was easy going the rest of the way for Sioux Falls as they called upon their set up man, Cameron McVey. McVey gave up a single and a walk, but pitched a scoreless inning that gave way to closer Chase Johnson. In the bottom of the ninth Johnson gave up a single and a walk, but retired the next batter to pick up his seventh save for Sioux Falls.

The Canaries continue action on Monday night as they go for win number two of a four game series. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM at Lawrence Dumont Stadium in Wichita, Kansas. Fans can catch all the action home and away on AM 1230 and FM 98.1 Sioux Falls Sports Network KWSN. Pre-game coverage will begin at 6:45 PM as the "Voice of the Canaries" JJ Hartigan will bring all the latest news related to Canaries baseball.

Get your tickets to any Canaries home game this season by contacting the Canaries Ticket Office at (605) 336-6060 or visit www.sfcanaries.com. No matter your schedule, the Canaries have a ticket package for you. Ask a Canaries representative about the weekender, perch packs or E-Z Game Tickets.

Sioux Falls Canaries Lay down a Bunt

American Association Stories from July 19, 2015

• High Scoring Eighth Inning Pushes Canaries Past Wichita - Sioux Falls Canaries
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• RailCats Strike Early; Defeat T-Bones - Kansas City Monarchs
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