712.277.WINS (9467)

The Sioux City Explorers shut out the Lincoln Saltdogs 3-0 in the first of their three game series at Haymarket Park. X’s starter, John Straka, had a great night on the mound holding Lincoln scoreless in eight innings with only three hits allowed and nine strikeouts. 

Starting pitching was on point for both ball clubs with neither team scoring a run until the seventh inning when the X’s got the ball rolling. Brock Kjeldgaard scored the first run of the evening reaching base on balls and scoring off an RBI double by Ryan Court. On the next at-bat Tommy Mendonca knocked in Court from second with a base-hit single to extend the X’s lead 2-0. 

In the eighth inning, Explorers right-fielder Michael Lang reached base with a one out single, advanced to second with a stolen base, and scored the third and final run of the game off a Rene Tosoni double to give the Explorers the 3-0 lead after eight. 

In the bottom of the ninth, X’s closer Jose Flores clinched the win for Sioux City with a one-hit, no run inning to get his fifteenth save of the season. Explorers starting pitcher John Straka (8-1) received the win with a gem of a night on the mound, allowing no runs in eight innings with nine strikeouts. Lincoln left-hander Ryan Strufing (0-2) was charged with the loss giving up two runs in seven innings. 

The Explorers had two hitters finish the night with two hits. Tommy Mendonca went 2 for 4 with an RBI and Michael Lang had two hits alongside a stolen base and a run scored. 

The Explorers will play game two of the three game series vs Lincoln tomorrow, first pitch-6:35. For additional information, please call 712-277-WINS (9467) or email [email protected]