AA Sioux City Explorers

X's lose a pair in Wichita on Friday night

Published on May 9, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release


Sioux City lost 2 heartbreakers in extra innings on Friday to the Wichita Wingnuts, falling 4-3 in 8 innings in Game 1 and losing on a controversial play 9-8 in 8 innings in Game 2.

In Game One, Wichita jumped out in front on a 2-run HR by Stephen Pearson that went way beyond the right field wall into the Arkansas River and the Wingnuts led 2-0.

Sioux City got 1 back in the top of the 4th as Chad Gabriel delivered a RBI single scoring Alex Llanos then the X's took the lead as they showed their power. With 1 out, Chris Grossman powered one over the wall in left off Justin Young for a solo HR to tie the game at 1-1. The next batter was Juan Camacho and he made it back-to-back homers with a shot over the right field wall to give the X's a 3-2 lead.

Nick Singleton pitched 6 strong innings, only allowing the HR by Pearson and left with a 1 run lead but Sioux City wasn't able to hold it. Cameron Cheek came in the 7th to try and save it but ran into trouble. David Gates reached on an error and then Michael Thompson doubled down the left field line moving Gates to third. Heath Keel bounced one to third but Camacho gunned out Gates trying to score. However, Thompson moved to third on the play and Pearson got a fly ball deep enough in center to score Thompson to tie the game at 3-3.

The X's then lost the game in the bottom of the 8th after a leadoff infield single by Derek Schermerhorn. He would be sacrificed over to 2nd and then Brenan Herrera would win the game for the Nuts with a double.

Camacho went 2 for 4 with his HR. Grossman went 1 for 4 with a HR. Gabriel wetn 2 for 4 with a RBI.

In Game Two, Paul Fagan got roughed up, allowing 7 runs, 6 earned in 3 innings of work with Heath Keel providing the big blast, a grand slam HR in the third. Sioux City led 3-2 on a RBI single by Grossman and a 2 run single by Chad Gabriel until Keel's shot to straight away center as the Nuts chased Fagan from the game with 5 runs in the third.

Trailing 7-3, the X's rallied, scoring twice in the top of the 4th on a RBI double by McCoola and a RBI grounder by Grossman. Michael Thompson added a solo HR off reliever Kevin Fitzgerald in the bottom of the 5th.

Sioux City would tie the game in the 6th but a controversial call costs the X's a chance at the lead. With 2 on and 1 out, McCoola drove in 2 runs with a single against Wingnuts reliever Rueben Salazar. In came Clint Smith and he walked Grossman. With Camacho at the plate, Smith uncorked a wild pitch that the Wichita catcher Bernie Dennis couldn't find. As McCoola rounded third and was practically home, a Wichita bat boy picked up the ball making the play dead. McCoola would have scored but the umpire ruled he had to go back to third and Grossman to 2nd. Camacho would strike out and Wichita went to their closer Byron Embry. Embry would bring home McCoola on a wild pitch and then Alex Llanos would be robbed of a base hit on a diving catch by Chris Colton in center.

Wichita would win the game in the bottom of the 8th on a sac fly by Blake Gailen giving the Wingnuts a 9-8 win in extra innings.

McCoola went 3 for 5 in game 2 with 2 doubles, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Grossman went 2-3 with 2 RBI and a run scored.

The X's fall to 0-3 and will try to rebound against Wichita tonight in the home opener at Lewis & Clark Park. Game time is 7:05, with tickets still available. Call 277-WINS and enjoy the game with fireworks afterward.

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American Association Stories from May 9, 2008


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