712.277.WINS (9467)

BOX SCORE

Sioux City, IA-The Explorers two-game win streak came to an end Monday night with an 11-3 loss to St. Paul at Lewis & Clark Park.

After a scoreless first inning, St. Paul (4-1) jumped on Sioux City (2-3) starter Ryan Mitchell early in the second. Willie Cabrera led off with a walk. Following a strikeout, Joey Becker singled to right. Carlos Escobar then singled to left to drive home the first run. A Devin Thaut single made it 2-0. A balk by Mitchell scored the third Saints run.

St. Paul would add a run in the fifth and then three more again in the sixth. Angelo Songco singled to lead off the inning. Becker reached base on an infield single. After a sacrifice bunt, a sacrifice fly drove in Songco for a 5-0 advantage. Evan Bigley singled to bring home Becker. Following a pitching change by Sioux City, Brandon Tripp stroked a hard single to right for a 7-0 cushion.

The X’s scored their first two runs of the game in the bottom of the sixth. Mark Sobolewski led off with a single to center. After a fly out and a strikeout, Peter Barrows continued his torrid extra-base hit pace with a double to right-center that drove home the first run. All seven of Barrows’ hits this season have gone for extra bases. Nate Samson scored Barrows with a double up the left field line. Samson finished the night with three hits and two RBIs. St. Paul put up a four-spot in the eighth while Sioux City added one more tally in the bottom of the eighth.

Ryan Mitchell suffered defeat on the mound for the X’s. In his first start, Mitchell (0-1) yielded seven runs (all earned) on ten hits while working five and two-thirds. He struck out two and walked two. Jeff Shields earned the win for the Saints. Shields (1-0), just acquired via trade, went five and two-thirds with six strikeouts and two walks. He allowed two earned runs on seven base hits.

St. Paul banged out 17 hits in the victory. The top three in the Saints lineup went a combined 9-for-17 with Evan Bigley, Joe Bonfe, and Brandon Tripp all posting three base hits. For the Explorers, Luke Murton and Mark Sobolewski each collected two hits.  

The X’s first extended home stand of the season at Lewis & Clark Park continues Tuesday against St. Paul with Kids Day at the Park. First pitch is set for 11:05 a.m. For ticket information and promotion specials, call 712-277-WINS or visit the Explorers website at www.xsbaseball.com.