AA Sioux City Explorers

X's split doubleheader with Saint Paul

Published on June 17, 2006 under American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release


SIOUX CITY - The Sioux City Explorers dropped game one of a doubleheader with the Saint Paul Saints, 2-1, and won game two, 4-3, Saturday night at Lewis and Clark Park.

Saint Paul started quick getting two runs in the top of the first. After a single to right, Pat Scalabrini scored when Brian Becker doubled down the leftfield line. Another double, this time down the rightfield line by Brian Sprout scored Becker.

The defenses held tight until the bottom of the fifth, when the X's got on the board. Chris Grossman walked and was brought home by Kevin Henry with a deep double to right-center.

Sioux City was able to get the tying run on in the home half of the seventh, when Mike Richardson singled to leftfield. Zack Pace, acquired Saturday by Sioux City pinch ran for Richardson, but was thrown out at second on a JJ Burress fielder's choice to end the game.

The winning pitcher for the Saints was Anthony Boughner, who pitched 5.2 innings, allowing only two hits and one run. Boughner struck out four and walked four. Matt Hammons recorded the save for Saint Paul, pitching the seventh inning. Hammons gave up one hit and struck out one.

Billy Keppinger was the losing pitcher for Sioux City, throwing a complete game. Keppinger scattered five hits, allowed two runs, walked two and struck-out two.

Game two started much the way game one did, with Saint Paul getting on the board in the top half of the first inning. Josh Renick got on board with a bunt single and was brought home by a Victor Rodriguez single to right-center.

Saint Paul added two runs in the top half of the fourth, when Steve Butler scored on a Pat Scalabrini fly out to centerfield. Another Victor Rodriguez single allowed Josh Renick to score, putting the Saints up 3-0.

The X's would make their comeback in the home half of the sixth. Alex Llanos led off the inning with his third home run of the season. With two outs Ryan Gripp and Chris Grossman each singled and Kevin Henry brought them both home with one swing of the bat; Henry's seventh home run of the season put the X's up and they wouldn't look back.

John Howerton improved his overall record to 5-1 and Sean Kramer picked up his sixth save of the year. Matt Pike was the losing pitcher for the Saints, dropping to 0-1.

Sioux City and Saint Paul will finish the weekend series on Sunday, with first pitch set for 5:05. Tom Lipari (4-1) will take the mound for the X's and Charlie Ruud (1-3) will start for the Saints.

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