Moore breaks strikeout record but loses to Sioux City
Published on August 21, 2010 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
SIOUX CITY, Iowa. - For the second time in a week, Ben Moore has broken a record. After notching the Sioux Falls Pheasants' franchise record for strikeouts in a season in his last start, the Pheasants starter broke the American Association record by fanning the first batter he faced on Saturday night.
Moore's effort, however, was not enough. The Sioux City Explorers scored seven unanswered runs to defeat the Pheasants. The 8-4 win evened the final regular-season series between the two clubs at one game apiece.
Moore broke the previous record of 111 strikeouts in a season set by Cory Walters of Ft. Worth in 2006. He fanned six in total and leads the league with 117 strikeouts. Three other pitchers in the league have 100 or more strikeouts.
The Pheasants entered the game with a slim one-half game lead over the Wichita Wingnuts in the second-half division race. Sioux Falls' second-half record dropped to 25-15. Their overall record fell to 57-31, still best in the American Association.
Hunter Jobes gave the Pheasants a 4-1 lead in the third inning with a three-run home run, his sixth of the season. But the Explorers chipped away at the Pheasants with a run in the third and fourth innings. T.J. Bohn tied the game with a double in the sixth, and Jacob Cruz' RBI-single followed for a 5-4 lead.
Cruz finished 3-for-4 with two RBI, including a second run-scoring single in the eighth inning. It was part of a three-run, two-out rally off Pheasants reliever Andrew Pluta that put away the game.
Moore (10-8) suffered the loss on five runs - four earned - and 12 hits through seven innings. He walked one. His ERA, which was best among active starters in the league at the game's start, rose to 3.20.
Ty Marotz (6-6) settled down after the rough third inning for a win. He tossed six innings, allowing four runs and five hits. He walked five and struck out six. The Explorers' pitchers limited the Pheasants to no runs and two hits after the third inning.
Joe Anthonsen was the only Pheasant with multiple hits, going 2-for-5.
The rubber game of the I-29 Series against the Sioux City Explorers is at 7:05 p.m. on Sunday, August 21, in Sioux City. The game will be broadcast live on Sioux Falls Sports Radio 1230-AM KWSN and www.kwsn.com.
The Pheasants are members of the American Association, a 10-team independent professional baseball league playing its fifth season this summer. Individual and group ticket information is available by calling (605) 333-0179. Fans can also visit the Pheasants at www.sfpheasants.com.
American Association Stories from August 21, 2010
- Six Run Sixth Hurts Saints in 10-8 Loss - St. Paul Saints
- Moore breaks strikeout record but loses to Sioux City - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Pheasants Hold on for 12-11 Win in Sioux City - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Medina, Delgado Lead Wingnuts Past El Paso - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wichita Shuts Down Diablos - El Paso Diablos
- First-inning six-pack plenty for Captains - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
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