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The Sioux City Explorers closed the Quebec series on a high note Sunday night, winning with a score of 4-2 over the Quebec Capitales. 

Starting pitching was commendable for both ball-clubs with neither team scoring a run until the bottom of the 5th. In the fifth, X’s shortstop Noah Perio Jr had an inning to remember. Perio started off with a one out single, then advanced to second on an error (forced by Perio), stole third base, and then scored from third on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by Matty Johnson. 

In the seventh, the X’s started off the inning with a lead-off walk by catcher Matt Koch. Noah Perio Jr hit another single to move Koch to second with no one out. The bases would then become loaded during the next at-bat on a sac-bunt laid down by Matty Johnson, who would wind up reaching first on the sacrifice do to an error by the pitcher. Right-fielder Michael Lang hit a sac-fly to right field with the bases loaded to score the X’s first run in the inning. First-baseman Rene Tosoni scored the second on another sac-fly to center that scored Perio from third. Sioux City would go on to score one more run that inning to put them up 4-0. 

The Capitales didn't score their first run until the eighth, when Tyler Young hit an opposite field solo home run to left to start the inning. With the Explorers leading 4-1 heading into the ninth, it was time for X’s closer Jose Flores to close out the night. Flores did in fact get the save, but struggled. He gave up three hits and also walked in a run. The Explorers finished the series strong, winning 4-2 over the Quebec Capitales.

Explorers right-hander Jeff Marquez (2-0) was accredited with the win. He went seven innings, allowing no runs on four hits, two walks, while striking out four. Lefty Derrick Penilla (0-2) was charged with the loss, going 5.1 innings, allowing one run (unearned), on seven hits while striking out two. 

Sioux City had three hitters finishing the night with two hits. Tommy Mendonca and Michael Lang both went 2 for 3, while Noah Perio Jr finished with two hits, two runs and a stolen base. Quebec had two batters with two hits or more. Tanner Rust went 2 for 3 and Tyler Young had a big 3 for 5 night with a solo homer. 

The Sioux City Explorers will take on the Kansas City T-Bones in a three game series that begins on Monday at Lewis and Clark Park. For 2015 ticket information at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com