Knowles Goes Nuclear In Convincing Win Over Lincoln
AA Sioux City Explorers

Knowles Goes Nuclear In Convincing Win Over Lincoln

Published on August 1, 2025 under American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release


LINCOLN, Neb- D'Shawn Knowles put on a show at the plate as the Sioux City Explorers (48-25) cruised past the Lincoln Saltdogs (28-44) with a 7-2 win. The Bahamian outfielder delivered one of his most dynamic performances of the season to help Sioux City stay 5.5 games clear of Sioux Falls atop the West Division.

The Explorers got the ball rolling in the top of the first inning, with D'Shawn Knowles knocking in Austin Davis with an RBI single. Luis Toribio made it 2-0 on his second extra base hit in as many at-bats with a ground-rule double to left center.

Knowles, just getting started in this contest, demolished Johnny Blake's 2-1 delivery deep to right field for a two-run shot. The blast was one of the longest of the season for any Sioux City Explorer, clearing the deck seating in right as the X's upped their lead to 4-0.

Kyle Marman worked through four scoreless frames, but allowed the first two batters to reach in the bottom of the fifth inning. Danny Bautista Jr's fly ball moved the runners into scoring position, and Brody Fahr's sacrifice fly put Lincoln on the board. The next batter, Mikey Kane, singled to center, driving in another as the Saltdogs cut the X's lead in half in the fifth.

Sioux City rebounded in the following half-inning as Abdiel Layer belted his seventh home run of the season, chasing Blake from the game. The Saltdogs brought in former Triple-A arm Matt Mullenbach to replace their starter, and he finished the inning without any further damage.

Marman fired seven strong in his outing, notching his 11th quality start of the season and his third outing with 10+ strikeouts before giving way to rookie left-hander Ben DeTaeye in the eighth. The former Iowa Hawkeye recorded two outs before veteran Nate Gercken finished the frame.

Knowles blasted another two-run home run into the X's bullpen in the top of the ninth, capping a four-hit, five-RBI night from the Bahamian outfielder. Sioux City carried a 7-2 lead heading into the last of the ninth inning.

Gercken stayed on in the bottom of the ninth to close it out for Sioux City and retired the side without an issue. With the victory, Sioux City pulls within two wins of 50. Lake Country and Sioux Falls are the two closest teams, each with 42 wins after triumphing on Friday.

The Explores continue their three-game series Saturday night July 2 against the Lincoln Saltdogs. First pitch is at 6:05 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 home 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 48-25 record.

-Sioux City is 7-1 against Lincoln this season.

-The X's hit three home runs in a game for the fourth time this season and the first time in a park other than Sioux Falls.

-Nate Gercken appeared game number 211 for his career for Sioux City.

-Tonight was the 36th quality start for the starting staff.

-The Explorers are 11-4 when Kyle Marman starts a game.

-It was the fifth five RBI game for the X's tonight with D'Shawn Knowles doing the honors.

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American Association Stories from August 1, 2025


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