AA Sioux Falls Canaries

RJ Peruck's Walk-Off Homer Caps off Will Night at the Birdcage

June 20, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release


SIOUX FALLS, SD-The Sioux Falls Canaries (15-15) capped of a wild back-and-forth battle at Sioux Falls Stadium on Saturday night with a three-run, walk-off homerun from RJ Perucki, to defeat the Sioux City Explorers (21-7) by the final score of 9-6.

Canaries fans saw three ties, and five separate lead changes before Perucki's deep blast over the left-field wall in the bottom of the 9th inning. The game was tied up at 5-5 going into the top of the 9th, before Sioux City third baseman, Tommy Mendonca led off the inning with a double. Catcher Matt Koch reached on a single into centerfield to put runners on the corners before Tim Colwell plated home the go-ahead run on a perfectly placed squeeze bunt up the 3rd base line.

Canaries relief pitcher, Cameron McVey (1-1, 1.25 ERA) worked his way out of the bases loaded jam, recording a double play, and a strikeout to give the Birds' a chance in the bottom of the inning.

Brian Humphries reached base on a solid single to left-field to lead off the final frame, and advanced into scoring position on a David Bergin single into right. Humphries scored the tying run five pitches later on a Richard Stock RBI single, putting Bergin in scoring position as the possible winning run.

Michael Wing, struck out for the first out after a failed bunt attempt setting up the Perucki at-bat with two one, and only one out. The Canaries third-baseman wasted no time, crushing a hanging breaking ball over the left-centerfield wall to cap off the walk-off win.

Stock had another big night at the plate for the Canaries, going 3-for-5 with three RBI's and two runs scored. Bergin pushed his batting average back to .303 after going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, and Perucki capped off his big night, going 2-for-5 with three RBI's and two runs scored.

Explorers catcher Matt Koch hit for the cycle, capping it off with a single in the 9th inning. He was 4-for-4 on the day with an RBI and two runs scored.

Sioux City closer, Joes Flores blew his first save of the season, and suffered his first loss of the year, allowing four runs on four hits in 1/3 of an inning of work.

The win on Saturday night evens up the best-of-three series, setting up a big day on Sunday afternoon. LHP Miguel Pena (4-1, 2.64 ERA) will make his 6th start of the season for the Birds. Pena picked up American Association Pitcher of the Week honors after his only other start against the Explorers on May 23rd. The southpaw did not allow a run on five hits over seven innings in the 3-0 final.

Fans will have a chance to play catch with Dad out of the field from 3:00-3:30 PM on Sunday afternoon prior to the 4:05 PM first pitch. Kids will also be able to run the bases after the game, and get autographs from their favorite Canaries players and coaches.

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.

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American Association Stories from June 20, 2015


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