712.277.WINS (9467)

Sioux City, IA- The Sioux City Explorers played near-perfect baseball on Tuesday night, getting the 10-1 victory over the Joplin Blasters at Mercy Field at Lewis and Clark Park.

In the top of the first inning, Joplin recorded the first run of the contest. Blaster’s centerfielder Sean Smith led-off the ball game with a solo-shot, giving them the quick 1-0 lead.

Explorers tied it in the bottom half of the first. X’s shortstop Nate Samson singled with two outs, moved to second off a Tommy Mendonca base hit, stole third base, and scored on an error by the catcher.

Sioux City went on to put up four runs in the second and third innings. In the second inning, Derrick Robinson knocked in a run with an RBI single. The Explorers tacked on three more in the third, scoring on a solo-homer by Nate Samson, an RBI double by Jarek Cunningham and an RBI single by Tim Colwell.

The Explorers offense continued to rack up runs in the later innings, scoring two in the seventh and three in the eighth innings, to give them ten runs on the night. The two runs scored in the seventh came off a fielder’s choice and an RBI single by Ralph Henriquez. In the eighth, Tommy Mendonca added two runs with a double, and Jarek Cunningham knocked in another with a single.

Joplin managed to score a run in the top of the ninth inning. Blaster designated hitter Geraldo Valentin homered cutting the lead to 10-2, but would not come close to overcoming the eight run deficit.

Explorers left-hander Cody Forsythe (5-3) pitched a gem on Tuesday night to get the victory. Forsythe went six solid innings, allowing one run, on two hits and four walks, while recording six strikeouts.

Blaster’s starter Carlos Fuentes (0-3) was charged with the loss, giving up six runs (five earned) on twelve hits and five walks with five strikeouts in six innings pitched.

For 2016 ticket information to Mercy Field at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com