AA Sioux City Explorers

Samson and Bullpen Lead X's to Win

July 20, 2019 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release


Sioux City, IA - Nate Samson collected four hits in a game for the second time this season, and the bullpen tossed the final five and a third innings and the Explorers battled back to beat Sioux Falls for the third straight game 4-3 on Saturday.

Samson was a hits machine for the Explorers on Saturday night. For the first five innings he was the only hits the X's offense could muster. But Samson brought the X's back into the game in the sixth, trailing 2-0, Kyle Wren doubled to lead off the inning and would score on Samson's third single of the day. Samson then stole second, his second stolen base of the game, advanced to third on a fly out and scored on a two out wild pitch to tie the game 2-2.

Sioux Falls took the lead back in the seventh, Alay Lago doubled to lead off the inning and stole third. He would score on a Mitch Glasser single to give the Birds a 3-2 lead.

Sioux City answered that back with a lead off double by Dexture McCall who would score on a consecutive double by Adam Sasser to tie the game 3-3.

Samson collected his fourth hit of the night on a double to lead off the eighth. In the final three innings Sioux City lead off each frame with a two bagger. Samson was advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Drew Stankiewicz to score the eventual winning run for the Explorers, 4-3.

Sioux City's All-Star bullpen was on full display in this one as Tyler Fallwell began the night for the pen going three and two-thirds innings, allowing just a single run on four hits, while striking out six. Fallwell was used for 70 pitches and kept the Explorers in the game while Sioux Falls held a 2-0 lead.

Nate Gercken (3-0) came in for the eighth in relief of Fallwell and recorded the final two outs of the inning and received the win.

Matt Pobereyko earned his 15th save of the season, pitching in his third game in two days, he retired the Canaries in order in the ninth, the only 1-2-3 inning the Explorers pitching staff had on the night.

Taylor Hill for Sioux Falls received a no decision as he went six and a third innings allowing three runs on six hits, while striking out five and walking one. Hill was dominant through the first five innings, shutting out the X's offense and allowing only three base runners. Samson was 2-2 off of Hill and Sasser earned a walk but that was all the Explorers could muster through the first five innings as Hill held onto that 2-0 lead.

The Canaries got those two runs off of Andrew Chin, making his X's debut Chin received a no decision going three and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on four hits with six walks and one strike out. Burt Reynolds and Brett Vertigan had RBI singles in the second inning off of Chin to put the Birds up 2-0.

Sioux City with the win and the Kansas City loss now pulls into a tie for second place with the T-Bones for the American Association South Division.

Sioux City will go for the series sweep on Sunday afternoon at 4:02 pm, the final game before the All-Star Break. Former big leaguer Taylor Jordan will get the start for the X's and right hander Mark Seyler will take the ball for the Canaries.

Check out the Sioux City Explorers Statistics



American Association Stories from July 20, 2019


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