712.277.WINS (9467)

Amarillo, TX- The Sioux City Explorers won their fifth game in a row vs Amarillo Tuesday night, with a score of 8-3 over the ThunderHeads in extra innings. 

Amarillo put up the first run in the game in the game on an RBI double by Rene Leveret that scored Jason Martin from first base. X’s right-fielder Michael Lang would tie it in the third on a 3-2, two out, solo home run to make it 1-1 after three innings. 

Both teams went on to score in the fifth and sixth innings. Amarillo scored one in the fifth off a sac-fly RBI by Juan Martinez, and the X’s tied it right back up in the sixth on an RBI double by Brock Kjeldgaard that scored Matty Johnson from third. In the seventh, the ThunderHeads re-gained the lead on another sac-fly RBI to give them a 3-2 lead heading into the eighth inning. 

In the eighth, Michael Lang led off with a single to start, he then stole second and advanced to third on an error by the pitcher to put him in scoring position. Explorers shortstop Noah Perio Jr tied it for Sioux City with an RBI single to make it 3-3 and eventually send the game into extra innings. 

The Explorers played in their second extra inning ball-game in two days vs Amarillo with ultimately the same result. In the tenth inning, the X’s had ten batters come to the plate, with five runs scoring on six hits to put the game out of reach with a score of 8-3. Chris Bodishbaugh  pitched a scoreless tenth inning to make it official. Final score Explorers 8, ThunderHeads 3. 

Dustin Loggins got the start and no decision for Sioux City going seven innings, allowing three runs, on eight hits, with two strikeouts on the night. Starter for Amarillo was right-hander Matt Larkins who also pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out four. 

The Explorers had three big-hitters on the night, X’s lead-off man Matty Johnson finished with three hits and a run scored, Brock Kjeldgaard hit an RBI double and a two-run home run, and Michael Lang had a stellar 4 for 6 night, with a double, a home run, stolen base and three RBIs. 

The Sioux City Explorers are now 9-0 on the road this season. They will finish the series in Amarillo Wednesday at 5:05. For 2015 ticket information at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com