EXPLORERS WIN WITHOUT A COMEBACK
Strong Pitching Pushes X’s to Series Win
Sioux City, IA (July 30th, 2022) — No late inning comebacks were needed as the Sioux City Explorers led wire to wire and secured the series win over the Chicago Dogs by a final score of 4-2.
In the second, the X’s put their first run on the board. Ademar Rifeala singled to left field to bring home Gabe Snyder who led off the inning by being hit by the pitch.
Sioux City added onto their lead in the fifth when Danny Amaral lined one to left field for a base hit, it was misplayed for a two base error that allowed two runs to score. Amaral scored on Blake Tiberi’s RBI single to put Sioux City ahead 4-0.
That is all the offense X’s starter Patrick Ledet (3-3) needed. The all-star was in command for seven innings as he allowed just two runs on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts. It was the fifth time Ledet has gone seven innings this season.
Chicago’s only two runs of the ball game came in the seventh. Anfernee Grier who led off with a single scored from first on Connor Kopach’s double to left. Kopach later scored on a sacrifice fly to pull the Dogs to 4-2.
AJ Kullman (6-6) took the loss as he went six innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits, he walked one and struck out one.
The Explorers bullpen once again shut down Chicago as Max Kuhns and Thomas McIlraith (15) collected the final six outs with each pitching an inning and McIlraith earning the save by striking out the side in the ninth.
The Explorers will go for the sweep of the Chicago Dogs on Sunday afternoon at 4:05 pm. Kevin McCanna (5-4, 4.81) lines up for the start for the X’s and will be countered by right hander Jordan Kipper for Chicago.