Straka Gets 11 Ks On Independence Day
July 4, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
The Sioux City Explorers celebrated fourth of July with a win plating six runs off nine hits in the 6-1 victory over Sioux Falls.
Neither team scored a run until the fourth inning when the X's got the ball rolling. The Explorers put up five runs off a two-run single by Matt Koch, two sac-fly's by Tim Colwell and Dillon Usiak, and an error to take the commanding 5-0 lead after four.
In the eighth inning, the Canaries would score their one and only run of the game off an error by the first baseman, scoring a runner from third base. In the bottom half of the inning, the X's matched Canaries run with one of their own. X's shortstop Noah Perio Jr reached base on a one out double and later scored off an RBI single by Explorers third baseman Tommy Mendonca, to extend the lead 6-1. Rob Wort pitched a perfect ninth inning to close it out and give the X's the win 6-1.
Explorers starting pitcher John Straka (6-1) pitched a beauty going 7.2 innings, allowing only one run off six hits, one walk and a plethora of strikeouts (11). The right-hander struck out a season high eleven in thirty batters faced. Straka now sits with a 6-1 record, 2.58 ERA and 46 strikeouts.
The losing pitcher in the contest was Canaries starter Miguel Pena (5-3). The left-hander pitched seven innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on seven hits, two walks, with three strikeouts. Canaries relief pitcher Will Rankin came out of the bullpen Saturday night allowing a one run in his one inning pitched.
Sioux City had seven of their nine batters get a hit in the game, with one batter getting double-digit hits. X's third baseman Tommy Mendonca kept his hot streak alive going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Mendonca's three hit night extended his hitting streak to six games and shot his batting average up to .352 on the season.
The Explorers will play the third and final game of the home-stand tomorrow at 6:05. For 2015 ticket information at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X's website at www.xsbaseball.com.
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