X's knock off St. Joe 3-1
June 4, 2006 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
The Sioux City Explorers won the rubber match of their weekend series with the St. Joe Blacksnakes Sunday night at Lewis and Clark Park. The win improves the X's record to 12-11, and the loss drops the âSnakes to 6-17.
The X's got off to a quick start, scoring in the bottom of the first. Leadoff batter Alex Llanos walked and moved to second on a Julius Thames single to center. Llanos came home after Dan Meier singled to center.
The âSnakes responded in the top of the third. Scooter Jordan hit a chopper back to Sioux City starter Billy Keppinger, but Keppinger's throw hit Jordan in the back and Jordan moved to second. The error proved to be costly when Ben Thomas doubled deep off the centerfield wall and Jordan came around to score.
The Explorers regained the lead in the home half of the fifth. Jorge Moreno walked, stole second and scored on a Ryan Gripp blooper to leftfield.
Sioux City added an insurance run in the bottom half of the seventh. Julius Thames doubled to left and scored when Dan Meier doubled off the wall in right-center.
Sioux City starter Billy Keppinger tied the longest start of the season for the X's, going eight innings, giving up four hits, no earned runs and striking out seven. Sioux City's Mike Nunes took the mound in the ninth, closing down St. Joe with two strikeouts. St. Joe starter Dustin Kupper gave up seven hits, two earned runs, four walks and two strikeouts.
Dan Meier led the X's on offense with two hits and two RBIs. Julius Thames went 3-4 and scored a run. Ryan Gripp went 2-4 and an RBI.
The Explorers will return to action on Tuesday, and continue their homestand when the Coastal Bend Aviators come to Lewis and Clark Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
American Association Stories from June 4, 2006
- Humphries, Sports down Cats 4-2 - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- American Association recaps - AA
- X's knock off St. Joe 3-1 - Sioux City Explorers
- Win slips from Birds grip - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Aviators steal series from St. Paul - Coastal Bend Aviators
- Big innings defeat Canaries - Sioux Falls Canaries
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