CANARIES SCORE 14 UNANSWERED, EVEN WEST DIVISION SERIES
THREE-RUN CUSHION EVAPORATES IN LATE-INNING COLLAPSE
SIOUX CITY, Iowa—The Sioux City Explorers (1-1) and Sioux Falls Canaries (1-1) traded punches in a high-stakes West Division showdown, but it was Sioux Falls who came out on top with a 16-8 victory. With both teams now knotted at one win apiece, the series heads to a decisive Game Three.
On August 6th, Austin Drury delivered a masterful performance, tossing a six-hit complete game shutout against the Milwaukee Milkmen. However, in his four starts to close out the regular season, the left-hander struggled, allowing 16 runs over 22.2 innings. He posted a 6.35 ERA during that stretch, striking out 21 while issuing 20 walks. Naturally, he struck out the side in the first.
His offense looked poised to capitalize in the bottom half, loading the bases with one out for Michael Quiñones. 33-year-old veteran starter Thomas Dorminy escaped the jam for the Canaries, inducing the left-handed slugger to ground into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play to keep the game scoreless.
Sioux Falls took advantage of Sioux City’s inability to cash in as the American Association’s Player of the Year, Calvin Estrada, doubled off the wall to lead off the second. Jordan Barth stepped up next and singled to center to give Sioux Falls the early 1-0 lead.
The Explorers tied the game in the bottom of the inning, opening with back-to-back doubles from Zac Vooletich and Torin Montgomery. Montgomery moved up to third on Kurtis Byrne’s flyout, but Sioux City couldn’t push him across, leaving the game knotted.
In the third, the X’s threatened again, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Josh Day came through, sending a 1-2 pitch to center field deep enough to score Henry George and give Sioux City a 2-1 lead.
Sioux City’s offense continued to apply pressure. Zac Vooletich led off the inning with a double to right, and Torin Montgomery followed with a single to the same spot. The hit should have put runners at the corners, but right fielder Josh Rehwaldt mishandled the ball, allowing Vooletich to take third base aggressively and extend the Explorers’ advantage.
Later in the inning, Abdiel Layer lined a one-out single over second baseman Trevor Achenbach’s glove, ending Thomas Dorminy’s outing. The Explorers chased one of the American Association’s top starters after just 3.1 innings, as manager Mike Meyer turned to Sam Alvarado to try and stop the rally.
Steve Montgomery then called for a double steal, and it worked. Catcher Drey Dirksen’s throw to second sailed into center field, allowing Torin Montgomery to score and push the lead to three.
The Canaries entered the game on the brink of elimination, but with one of the league’s most potent offenses, it was clear they wouldn’t go quietly. Leading off the top of the sixth, 31-year-old bench coach and left fielder Mike Hart launched a solo home run over the right-field wall. Austin Drury responded by striking out the next two batters and went on to finish strong in both the inning and the outing.
Kurtis Byrne immediately got the run back for Sioux City. With Montgomery at the plate, Byrne sent a lined shot into the gap in right-center field off of Will Levine (1-0). Montgomery turned on the jets and scored all the way from first to regain a three-run lead.
Ryan Beaird was first out of the bullpen for the Explorers in the seventh, but only recorded one out. Left-hander Chase Jessee (0-1) took over for him and promptly allowed a Joe Vos RBI pinch-hit single to put the tying run aboard.
Still with one out, the Canaries loaded the bases and tied the ballgame via Mike Hart’s single to left. The bleeding didn’t stop there. Jabari Henry doubled off the wall in left, knocking in two runs and giving Sioux Falls a 6-5 lead, its first advantage since the first inning.
The X’s put the go-ahead run on in the bottom half of the frame, but nothing came of it. Sioux Falls took away any hope the X’s had by putting up a ten-spot in the eighth. Sioux City’s complete pitching implosion forced a third and final game in the West Division Series.
The Explorers and Canaries will play the third and deciding game of the series Saturday September 6 with a first pitch set for 6:05 p.m. at Lewis and Clark Park. The gates will open at 5:00 p.m. The winner will advance to the next round of the American Association Playoffs. The game can be heard on radio at KSCJ 94.9 FM and 1360 AM and the video stream will air on aabaseball.tv.
Playoff tickets for home playoff game number two are on sale at the Lewis and Clark Box Office or online at xsbaseball.com. For more information, please call the Explorers’ front office at 712-277-WINS. Stay tuned to the Explorers’ social media channels and the club’s website, xsbaseball.com, for all our news and updates.
Notes from the Booth with DV:
-Sioux Falls is all-time 4-1 against Sioux City in the American Association playoffs dating back to 2008.
-Sioux Falls won despite making four errors and allowing seven stolen bases.
-In 22.2 career playoff innings Austin Drury has allowed just five earned runs.
-The X’s two starters in the series have tossed a combined 12 innings allowing just two earned runs.
-The Explorers pen gave up 14 earned runs on the night.
-Both teams had 16 hits.
-The Canaries hit three home runs in the game.
-Sioux City is all-time 16-26 in the postseason.
-The Explorers honored postseason all-stars Henry George and Felix Cepeda as well as Manager of the year Steve Montgomery and Certified Athletic Trainer Bruce Fishbach all before the game.
