712.277.WINS (9467)

The Sioux City Explorers exploded for fourteen runs Wednesday evening at Shaw Park, winning their third in a row with a score of 14-0 in nine innings. 

In the top half of the first, X’s lead-off man Matty Johnson reached base on an error by the shortstop and later stole second base to start the ball game, but would wind up stranded at second off two strikeouts and a 4-6 groundout to end the half inning. 

Explorers starter Ryan Zimmerman pitched a perfect bottom of the first, striking out Winnipeg’s lead-off hitter Brady Wilson on a 2-2 count, and forcing the two and three hitters in the lineup to fly-out. Both teams would go scoreless in the first three innings of play. 

Sioux City got the bats rolling in the fourth, plating the first four runs of the game. The Explorers scored the four runs off four hits, with three of the four hits being doubles. X’s designated hitter Matt Koch knocked in the first two runs of the game off a double to left, scoring runners from first and second. Koch crossed home plate on the next at-bat, off a Dillon Usiak double to make it 3-0. Usiak went on two score the fourth run of the inning on a double to center by X’s speedster Matty Johnson. 

In the fifth, Brock Kjeldggard reached base on balls, advanced all the way to third off a base hit by Noah Perio Jr, and scored off a 6-4-3 double play, plating him from third base. Explorers would score two more runs in the sixth and a big seven runs in the seventh innings to go on and win 14-0 at Shaw Park.

Ryan Zimmerman had an astounding outing going seven innings, allowing no runs on four hits with five strikeouts in the contest. Goldeyes starter Kyle Anderson would be charged with the loss allowing four runs in 3.2 innings pitched.

The Explorers will wrap up the series in Winnipeg tomorrow at 7:00. On 4th of July weekend (3rd-5th) they’ll be at Lewis and Clark Park taking on the Sioux Falls Canaries. For 2015 ticket information at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com