X's Rule Monarchs

June 21, 2023 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - On Pride Night at Legends Field, Solomon Bates (4-3) dominated over seven innings to help the Sioux City Explorers (16-19) take the crown in a 5-2 win over the Kansas City Monarchs (22-11) Tuesday night. Bates allowed one run on five hits and one walk while adding 15 strikeouts over his outing. The Monarchs remain in first place in the West Division, although Milwaukee claims the best record in the American Association.

Miguel Sierra initiated the coup with a solo shot off Monarchs Brandon Finnegan (2-1) to take the lead 1-0 in the top of the second. Sioux City's Bates struck out the side in the first before striking out two the next inning, but allowing one run on an Olivier Basabe RBI single that scored Micker Adolfo to tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second.

The X's scored another in the third off Finnegan when John Nogowski followed up a Chase Harris triple with an RBI single to make it 2-1. Bates held the Monarchs scoreless in the bottom of the third, striking out the side in a perfect frame.

In the fifth, with Delvin Zinn on base after an error on the Monarch's shortstop L.J. Hatch and a Chase Harris double, John Nogowski roped a two-out homer to left field off Finnegan, giving Sioux City a 5-1 lead. Over the next three innings, Bates added five more strikeouts to his total of 15 on the night.

Kansas City's Grant Gavin struck out two in the eighth before their offense scored again, making it a 5-2 Sioux City lead following the Chris Herrmann RBI single off X's Kent Hasler sent home Keon Broxton. The one run in the eighth wasn't enough as the X's dethroned the Monarchs, with X's Sean Rackoski (4) earning the save after a shutout bottom of the ninth. It was the fourth win for Sioux City over Kansas City this season in four tries. Bates now has 63 punchouts on the season to lead the American Association.

The Explorers continue their nine-game trip with game two of a three-game series against the Kansas City Monarchs Wednesday morning with a first pitch at 11:00 am. Sioux City returns home Tuesday, June 27 for the first game of a three-game series with the Sioux Falls Canaries. Tickets for the season can be purchased online at XSBaseball.com, in person at the Lewis and Clark Park Box Office or by calling 712-277-WINS. You can catch all the X's action on aabaseball.tv and on radio at KSCJ 94.9 FM and 1360 AM.

American Association Stories from June 21, 2023

• Henry, Sweeney's Three-Hit Efforts Lift Birds Over Milwaukee - Sioux Falls Canaries
• 'Dogs Clinch Fourth Consecutive Series with Game Two Win Over Goldeyes - Lincoln Saltdogs
• Late Comeback Falls Short as Lincoln Edges Goldeyes - Winnipeg Goldeyes
• Monarchs Rally Late - Sioux City Explorers
• X's Rule Monarchs - Sioux City Explorers
• Monarchs' Late Inning Heroics Secure Win - Kansas City Monarchs
• Dogs Limit Cougar Bats to Take Series - Kane County Cougars
• A Home Win Starts the Series Strong - Lake Country DockHounds
• Goldeyes 30th Anniversary Luncheon Will be a Big Hit - Winnipeg Goldeyes
• Late Push Not Enough for RailCats to Overcome RedHawks - Gary SouthShore Railcats
• RedHawks Take Down RailCats on Military Appreciation Night - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
• 'Dogs Make It 8 Of 10 With Win Over Goldeyes - Lincoln Saltdogs
• Fifth Inning Outburst Paces Saltdogs to Victory - Winnipeg Goldeyes

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Sioux City Explorers Stories

• Explorers Drop Series Finale
• Goldeyes Walk-off Explorers in Extras
• Sioux City Wins Series Opener North of the Border
• Explorers Win One, Lose One
• Explorers and RedHawks Game Suspended