712.277.WINS (9467)

BOX SCORE

Winnipeg, MB-The Explorers used solid pitching and a key ninth-inning base hit from a former Goldeye to end Winnipeg’s 11-game win streak with a 2-1 victory Tuesday night at Shaw Park.

With the win, Sioux City (21-30) put an end to a three-game losing skid. The win streak for Winnipeg set a season-high in the American Association. The Explorers plated the first run of the game in the third. Tom Mendonca led off the inning with a triple to center field. Following back-to-back strikeouts, Oscar Mesa singled to left and drove in Mendonca for a 1-0 lead.

The Goldeyes (34-15) drew even in the bottom of the eighth. Ryan Pineda started off with a single to center. A sac bunt advanced Pineda to second. He later stole third, and was brought home on a sacrifice fly to right by Josh Mazzola.

The Explorers reclaimed the lead in the top of the ninth. Rene Tosoni led off the inning with a single to right. Andres Perez followed with a single to left. Peter Barrows reached on a fielder’s choice with Perez forced out at second. With runners at the corners and one out, former Goldeye Amos Ramon singled to left and scored Tosoni for a 2-1 lead.

On the mound, Sioux City starter Patrick Johnson (pictured) struck out 11 to set a new team high for an individual pitcher. Johnson did not factor in the decision after he went seven innings with just one walk and four hits allowed. Reliever Geoff Broussard picked up the win. Broussard (5-1) went one inning and gave up one earned run on one base hit. Chris Kissock took the loss for Winnipeg. Kissock (0-1) pitched one-third of an inning and yielded one earned run on three hits. Chris Bodishbaugh pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his eighth save of the season.

At the plate, Oscar Mesa led the Explorers with three hits and an RBI. Rene Tosoni and Amos Ramon both collected two hits. Ramon had the eventual game-winning RBI. For the Goldeyes, Tyler Kuhn posted a 2-for-3 night.

Sioux City plays game two of a three-game series at North Division leading Winnipeg Wednesday night at 7 o’clock. The X’s return Friday for a six-game home stand against Fargo-Moorhead and Kansas City July 11^th-16^th. For ticket information and promotion specials at Lewis & Clark Park, call 712-277-WINS or visit the Explorers website at www.xsbaseball.com.