AA Sioux City Explorers

X's Walk Off in 14th Inning

Published on May 23, 2014 under American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release


Sioux City, IA-The first extra-inning game of the season for the Explorers ended with a dramatic, bottom-of-the-14th base-hit for a 2-1 win over Amarillo at Lewis & Clark Park.

The win for Sioux City (3-5) snapped a three-game losing streak on the current home stand. The Explorers fell behind in the fourth as Amarillo's Cory Patton led off with a solo home run over the right field wall for a 1-0 lead. Sioux City's lone tally came in the seventh inning. Nate Samson led off with his league-leading sixth double of the season. A sacrifice bunt by Todd Jennings pushed Samson to third. With the Sox (2-5) infield drawn in, Michael Lang singled through the left side on a bouncing ball to tie the game at 1.

Six straight scoreless innings pushed it to the 14th inning. The Explorers' Michael Lang led off and reached base on a hit-by-pitch. Rene Tosoni then bunted Lang up to second. Amarillo intentionally walked the next batter Andres Perez. Sox reliever Matt Larkins struck out Mark Sobolewski for the second out. That brought Tom Mendonca to the plate for Sioux City. Mendonca smashed the game-winning hit to left-center that easily scored Lang from second.

The contest lasted 4 hours and 28 minutes. The two teams combined to use 11 pitchers. There were 31 strikeouts combined, which was just one shy of tying the American Association league record set back in 2011 between El Paso and Wichita. Chris Bodishbaugh worked three-and-a-third innings of relief for the win. Bodishbaugh (1-0) gave up just one hit and struck out two. Matt Larkins took the loss for Amarillo. Larkins (0-1) went four-and-two-thirds and gave up one earned run on three hits. Both starters, John Straka of Sioux City and Dayne Quist for Amarillo, were relieved of their duties in the sixth.

Michael Lang and Andres Perez both collected three hits for the X's. Tom Mendonca had a two-hit night as well. Kevin Mahoney had two hits for the Sox.

The Explorers' first extended home stand of the season continues at Lewis & Clark Park Friday night with a 7:05 first pitch against the Amarillo Sox. The four-game series runs through Sunday. For ticket information and promotion specials, call 712-277-WINS or visit the Explorers website at www.xsbaseball.com.

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