712.277.WINS (9467)

Lincoln, NE-----The Explorers held off a late surge by Lincoln and defeated the Saltdogs here Saturday 6-5 at Haymarket Park.

After a hour 31 minute rain delay to start the contest, the Explorers took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run home run by Palmer Karr, his third home run of the season.  After that, the Explorers never gave up the lead.

Sioux City added a run in the third inning and two more tallies in the fourth to take a 6-1 lead over Lincoln. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Lincoln first baseman Raben connected on a three-run home run, his second home run of the game that cut the Explorers lead to 6-4.  Matt Forgatch hit a solo shot in the sixth to trim the X’s lead to 6-5.

The Explorers bullpen took control after that as Jimmer Kennedy struck out the side in the seventh, Cody Satterwhite struck out two of the three batters he faced in the eighth and Chris Bodishbaugh gave up a lead off double to Raben in the ninth, but retired the final three batters to pick up his sixth save of the season.

Starter Jason Jarvis pitched six inning to push his record to 3-2 for the year.

The four pitchers the Explorers used struck out a season high 11 batters in the victory while Wally Backman Jr. and Adrian Martinez led the nine hit Explorers attack with two hits each.

The Explorers have won the first two games of the series and will be going for the series sweep in the final game of the three-game set Sunday starting at 5:05.

Sioux City will return home to begin a six-game home stand starting with Kansas City on Monday night at 7:05 at Lewis and Clark Park.  After a 3 game series with the T-Bones and an off day on Thursday, the X's will welcome the Grand Prairie Airhogs into Lewis & Clark for a three game weekend series starting Friday June 14th.

Reserve you tickets by calling 712-277-WINS or by stopping down to the Lewis & Clark Park box office.