712.277.WINS (9467)

BOX SCORE

Sioux Falls, SD-Solid pitching and a huge fifth inning helped vault the Explorers to their second straight win 8-2 over the Canaries at Sioux Falls Stadium.

The two teams cruised through four scoreless to start the game. Sioux City’s offense was able to dent the scoreboard in a decisive fifth. The first six batters in the inning reached. Mark Sobolewski led off with a line drive single to center. Tommy Mendonca did the same. Luke Murton then attempted to sacrifice bunt but a wild throw over the first baseman’s head by the pitcher led to the X’s first run. Peter Barrows followed with a double up the left field line to make it 2-0. Nate Samson took his base at first after being hit by a pitch. Todd Jennings collected his second RBI of the season on a single to right. After a strikeout, Rene Tosoni grounded into a fielder’s choice to score a run. Andres Perez (pictured) would strike the final blow of the inning with a two-run scoring double to right-center for a 6-0 lead.

Sioux City (2-2) added two more runs in the eighth. With one out, Mendonca singled to right. With two outs, Barrows tripled to right-center. The next batter, Nate Samson, doubled to left. Sioux Falls (2-2) scored two runs in the bottom of the inning for the final difference.

Explorers pitching held the Canaries to just five hits in the game. Starter Wade Morrison worked four scoreless innings but did not receive a decision. Morrison gave up four hits, struck out two, and walked two. He was able to work out of a one-out, bases loaded jam in the fourth. Reliever Jimmer Kennedy posted the win in relief. Kennedy (1-0) pitched an impressive three and-a-third while striking out two and not giving up a base hit or a run. Chris Bodishbaugh pitched a one-two-three ninth in his first appearance of the season. Sioux Falls starter Kyle Vazquez took the loss. Vazquez (0-1) went five innings and gave up six runs (two earned) on five hits with two strikeouts.

At the plate, Andres Perez and Peter Barrows both had two-hit games and drove in two. Nate Samson and Mark Sobolewski each collected two hits as well. Sioux City has scored 18 runs in the last two games, and racked up 26 base hits in the two-game win streak.

The X’s first extended home stand of the season at Lewis & Clark Park starts Monday night against St. Paul and continues with Amarillo through Sunday. For ticket information and promotion specials, call 712-277-WINS or visit the Explorers website at www.xsbaseball.com.