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Nine Runs in Two Innings Down X’s to Force Rubber Game

Cleburne, TX (July 17, 2021) – A five run fourth and a four run fifth were the two rallies that led the Cleburne Railroaders to their 10-3 win over the Sioux City Explorers on Saturday. 

The game was scoreless through the first three innings before the wheels fell off for Sioux City. A Chase Simpson sacrifice fly to right field put Cleburne on the board in the fourth inning but also two outs on the board.

However the Railroaders put together a two out rally starting with a Hunter Clanin two run home run to push it to 3-0. After a walk and a base hit, an error allowed another run to score and keep the inning alive for an Osvaldo Martinez RBI single to finish off the Cleburne rally at 5-0. 

The Railroaders picked up where they left off in the fifth with Sioux City yet again helping them to start the frame as a throwing error began the inning. After a base hit a Simpson double plated a runner, and a Noah Vaughan sac fly made it 7-0. John Nester put the finishing touches with a two run single to make it 9-0 Railroaders. 

Zach Hedges (5-4) was handed the loss as he tossed five innings, allowing nine runs, with only six of those being earned on ten hits. 

On the other end for Cleburne earning the victory was Kody Bullard (1-0) as he made a very impressive professional debut. He went six scoreless innings allowing only two hits, while walking just one and striking out three. From the end of the first inning to the start of the sixth, he retired thirteen straight Sioux City Explorers. 

For the Explorers a bright spot in the game was the performance of rookie reliever Tyler Koch who tossed three innings of one run ball while not allowing a walk and striking out six batters. 

Sioux City added a run in the seventh on a Sebastian Zawada sacrifice fly to center field and in the eighth on a two out two run single from LT Tolbert to finish the scoring 10-3. 

The X’s and Railroaders will meet in the rubber game of the series on Sunday evening with first pitch set for 6:00. Cleburne will throw right hander Jheyson Manzueta (3-1, 3.09) and Sioux City rolls out lefty Patrick Ledet (4-2, 6.75).