X's Comeback Bid Falls Short

June 26, 2022 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release

Cleburne, TX - After trailing 5-0 early on the Sioux City Explorers pulled to within a run but could not complete the comeback as they fell to the Cleburne Railroaders 6-4.

Cleburne jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the first when Hill Alexander singled to right field to pick up an RBI, an error on the play allowed a second run to score making it 2-0.

Alexander later scored on a fielder's choice hit into by Chuck Taylor to make it 3-0 Railroaders.

A Zach Nehrir solo home run to lead off the third made it 4-0 Cleburne. Hunter Wolfe scored on an Edwin Arroyo sacrifice fly to right to give Cleburne a 5-0 lead at the end of the fourth.

Kevin McCanna (5-2) was saddled with the loss as he went four and a third innings allowing five runs, four earned on seven hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

The Explorers bats through the first four innings were practically silent, collecting only a single. However in the fifth the offense came to life, three consecutive singles loaded the bases with no one out. Nate Samson drove home two with his 100th double as a Sioux City Explorer to cut the deficit down to 5-2. A sacrifice fly off the bat of Shane Podsedniik made it 5-3 Cleburne.

The X's pulled to within a run in the seventh. Nate Samson led off with a single, plus an error to start the frame at second. He scored on a Chase Harris single to make it 5-4. Harris ended up at second after an error but that is as close as Sioux City would get to tying the game. Harris was thrown out attempting to steal third.

Kevin Hilton (2-1) was awarded the win after he went six and third innings allowing the four runs on nine hits with a season high six strikeouts and no walks.

In the eighth Cleburne added an insurance run when a fly ball to left field was mis-played and allowed Kacy Clemens to start the inning at third base. A shallow fly ball and a strikeout had the X's poised to escape the inning without a run scoring but Wolfe singled to left to pad the Railroaders lead 6-4.

Nick Gardewine (3) picked up the save with a perfect ninth, he has pitched in every game of the season series between Sioux City and Cleburne.

The rubber game of the series will take place on Sunday at 6:00. Tyler Beardsley (2-2, 5.05) gets the start for Sioux City and will be opposed by lefty Kody Bullard (3-3, 4.40).

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