X's drop marathon to Aviators
June 8, 2006 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
SIOUX CITY - The Sioux City Explorers dropped game three of their series with the Coastal Bend Aviators, 7-2 in 13 innings Thursday night. The game is the longest this year in both innings (previous was 10 innings) and time at 4:08 (previous was 3:30). The loss drops Sioux City to 13-13 and improves Coastal Bend's record to 18-8.
The X's grabbed the early lead, when Jorge Moreno scored on a Ryan Gripp double off the wall in right-center. The Aviators responded in the top of the fifth. Starting pitcher Derrick Van Dusen tripled down the right field line and scored on an Andy Wilson sacrifice fly to center.
The tie didn't last long though, as Sioux City regained the lead in the home half of the fifth. Ryan Ruiz walked, stole second and advanced to third on a Robert Mendoza grounder. Explorers starting pitcher Tom Lipari successfully laid down a sacrifice bunt to drive in Ruiz, putting the X's up 2-1.
Both defenses held tight until Coastal Bend was able to score in the top of the eighth. Wilson Burwell scored on a Matt Creighton sacrifice fly to right field, tying the score at two.
Once again both defenses stiffened and sent the finale into extra innings. The Aviators were finally able to break through in the top of the 13th off of Sioux City pitcher Keith Ferguson. Andy Wilson doubled to left field and drove in Rodney Medina and Lavelle Morgan. A Brian Fryer single to right drove in Wilson, and Bryon Smith hit a monster home run deep over the left field wall driving in two. That would be all the scoring needed. After giving up a leadoff double to Sioux City's Mike Richardson, Coastal Bend pitcher Lavelle Morgan sat down the next three X's to end the game.
Sioux City starter Tom Lipari went 7.1 innings, allowing eight hits, two runs, and striking out three. Derrick Van Dusen started for Coastal Bend, threw 6.1 innings, scattering four hits, allowing two runs, walking seven and striking out two.
Sioux City will travel to St. Joe, Missouri, for a three game weekend series with the St. Joe Blacksnakes. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Phil Welch Stadium in St. Joe. J.D. Scholten (2-1) will take the mound for the X's and Dustin Kupper (1-1) will start for the Blacksnakes.
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American Association Stories from June 8, 2006
- X's drop marathon to Aviators - Sioux City Explorers
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- 'Snakes complete second sweep of depleted Sioux Falls - St. Joseph Blacksnakes
- Canaries swept in 5-2 loss - Sioux Falls Canaries
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