EXPLORERS STEAL ONE FROM MILWAUKEE
Seven Swiped Bags And Two Run Ninth Propel X’s to Comeback
Franklin, WI (July 24th, 2022) – The Sioux City Explorers scored five unanswered runs including two in the ninth to steal a win from the Milwaukee Milkmen 7-6-
Both teams traded home runs in the first inning with the Explorers, Danny Amaral, crushed the first pitch of the game over the left field wall. Keon Barnum smacked a two-run two-out homer to give Milwaukee a 2-1 lead.
A double from Blake Tiberi scored Danny Amaral who reached on a single and stole second to tie the game 2-2 in the third.
Barnum again went yard in the fourth to give Milwaukee a 3-2 lead. The Milkmen then added on to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. With runners at second and third and no one out, a ground out and a sacrifice fly to center scored a pair. After a two out walk to Correlle Prime, Will Kengor scored him from first with a triple to put Milwaukee ahead 6-2.
Sioux City starter Patrick Ledet received a no decision as he went five innings allowing six runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks.
Christian Young also received a no decision for Milwaukee as he tossed six innings and allowed just the two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and a walk. He retired the last seven batters that he faced.
Sioux City’s offense began the comeback trail in the seventh against the Milwaukee bullpen. Sebastian Zawada was called upon to pinch hit with two in scoring position and singled to get the X’s to within two runs 6-4.
In the eighth after a hit batter, a walk and a double steal, Nate Samson brought Sioux City to within a run with a sacrifice fly to center.
In the ninth Amaral tripled with one out and scored on the first professional hit of Jack Kelly’s career who singled up the middle tying the game. After a single and a walk loaded the bases, Ademar Rifaela handed Sioux City the lead with a ground out to second putting the X’s ahead 7-6-
Thomas McIlraith (4-3) who pitched a scoreless eighth got a double play ball and a strikeout to put away the Milkmen in the ninth to secure the win for the X’s.
Sioux City swiped a season high seven bases in the ballgame with Trey Martin stealing four of them.
The Explorers continue their longest road trip of the season as they will head to Fargo, ND to play the first place RedHawks in a three games series beginning on Tuesday at 7:02 pm from Newman Outdoor Field.