AA Sioux City Explorers

X's take two from Canaries

Published on June 21, 2006 under American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release


SIOUX CITY - The Sioux City Explorers defeated the Sioux Falls Canaries 8-0 in the completion of a game postponed from Tuesday night and 7-2 in Wednesday's regularly scheduled game. The two wins improve the X's record to 18-19 and drops the Canaries to 11-26.

Sioux City starter Karsten Gaarder made quick work of the Canaries in the top of the first, retiring the side in order. The X's roughed up Sioux Falls' starter Aaron Garrison early, scoring twice in the bottom of the first. After taking a lead-off walk, Ryan Ruiz scored on a fielder's choice. Alex Llanos singled to right field, and scored on a wild pitch three batters later.

Both defenses stiffened until the bottom of the sixth inning when the X's had an eight run outburst to break the game wide open. Chris Grossman led off with a double to center field, and scored two batters later on a Mike Richardson single to leftfield. Kevin Henry singled to left, and was brought home by an Alex Llanos single to left. With the bases loaded, Dan Meier came to the plate and hit a grand slam deep down the leftfield line.

The winning pitcher for Sioux City was J.D. Scholten, who started the fifth inning, improving his overall record to 3-2. Scholten pitched the final five innings, allowing five hits and striking out one. The losing pitcher for Sioux Falls was Aaron Garrison who was the original starter on Tuesday night. Garrison threw four innings allowing four hits and two runs.

Karsten Gaarder was the original starter for the X's and went four innings. Gaarder scattered four hits and struck out six.

Dan Meier, who went 2-5 at the plate, including a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth, led the X's offense. Alex Llanos (3-4 at plate) and Ryan Ruiz (2-3) also sparked the eight run outburst, each scored twice.

Sioux City once again started hot, scoring in the first inning. This time it only took one swing - off the bat of Dan Meier. The home run was Meier's fourth of the year.

Once again the defenses stiffened up until Sioux City was able to add to their lead in the home half of the fourth. Alex Llanos led off with a single and scored on a Jorge Moreno single to right. Meier scored when Kevin Henry ripped a single to center. Chris Grossman was intentionally walked and scored on an error by Canaries second baseman Chris Weber. Henry then scored on an error by catcher David Hoffman.

Jason Sugden led off the Sioux Falls sixth inning with a double down the left field line and got the Canaries on the scoreboard when Angelo Fermin singled to left field. The X's made sure to keep Sioux Falls at bay by scoring two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, with back-to-back home runs by Henry and Mike Richardson. Sioux Falls tried to make a comeback in the ninth, when Dennis Anderson led off with a home run over the right field wall. John Howerton shut down the next three to preserve the win for the X's. Aaron Marsden made his Sioux City debut and got the win, going six innings, scattering four hits, allowing one run and striking out six. Doug Johnson was the losing pitcher, throwing six innings, giving up seven hits, seven runs - two of which were unearned - and striking out four.

Kevin Henry led the X's offense, going 2-3 with two RBIs and scoring twice. Dan Meier also was 2-3 at the plate, scoring twice and driving in one.

Sioux City and Sioux Falls will finish off the mid-week series Thursday night at the Birdcage in Sioux Falls. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with Billy Keppinger (XX) taking the mound for the X's and Sean Donlin (0-3) starting for the Canaries.

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American Association Stories from June 21, 2006


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