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AA Sioux Falls Canaries

Pheasants Battle Back But Fall in Extras

June 5, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release


SIOUX FALLS -- The Sioux Falls Pheasants rallied from a 6-0 deficit in the first inning against the Gary Southshore Railcats, but lost, 7-6, in 10 innings Tuesday night at Sioux Falls Stadium.

Craig Maddox's pinch-hit single scored Kyle Haines in the top of the 10th ahead of Mark Shorey's throw from left field, giving the Railcats the victory.

The game was lopsided early when the Railcats stormed out of the gate with six runs in the first inning, led by small-ball play and David Cooper's two-run triple.

Pheasants' pitching after the first inning was superb, holding the Railcats in check until the 10th. Pheasants starter Matthew Sommo bounced back after the rough first inning and allowed only one more hit in the next four innings.

"It's been the same thing all year, if he can get his off speed stuff over the plate he's pretty good," said Pheasants pitching coach Mike Meyer. "He's got to be able to start locating his breaking ball, throwing it over the plate and giving himself a chance. That's what he did after the first."

The Pheasants' bats awakened to rally in the fourth and fifth innings. With two outs in the fourth, Shorey singled, and Trevor Lawhorn slapped a two-run home run that snuck out over the right field wall.

Three more runs plated in the fifth via two wild pitches from RailCats starter Kyle Wilson. Crisitan Guerrero then destroyed a 1-0 pitch, blasting his fifth home run of the year over the center field wall, his fourth against the RailCats pitching, and pulling the Pheasants within one, 6-5.

The score held until the bottom of the ninth when Jake Taylor lead off with a double and scored two batters later on a Chris Allen (3-0) wild pitch with two outs.

Dan Cooper (1-1) took the loss for the Pheasants. He pitched 2 1/3 innings, giving up the decisive unearned run while striking out two.

Rod Scurry combined with Cooper in for five relief innings, allowing only one unearned run on five hits, while striking out five.

"Right now [the bullpen] is the strong point of our roster. The bullpen has been fantastic and hopefully they can keep it rolling like that," said Meyer.

Allen earned the win for the RailCats after throwing two innings, allowing one run on one hit and striking out three.

"I'm proud of the guys for battling, keeping their heads in there," Meyer said. "Hopefully we can keep this thing rolling tomorrow."

The rubber game of the series is set for 12:05 on Wednesday, June 6, at Sioux Falls Stadium. It's Business at the Ballpark for the special noon start. Kids FREE in June also continues tomorrow. Two children 12-and-under can get in free with the purchase of every regular adult-priced ticket, courtesy of Sanford Children's.

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