712.277.WINS (9467)

McCanna, Kuhns Combine For Shutout

Rosemont, IL (August 6th, 2022) - Behind seven shutout innings from Kevin McCanna and two more from Max Kuhns the Sioux City Explorers shut out the Chicago Dogs 4-0 at Impact Field. 

The X’s jumped out in front in the top of the first as they loaded the bases with the first three batters of the game. A one out walk from Danry Vasquez brought home the only run of the inning to give the X’s a 1-0 lead. 

That was all the support Sioux City starter Kevin McCanna (7-4) needed as he was brilliant against the Dogs. He tossed seven shutout frames, allowing just three hits and one walk and struck out five batters. Chicago got base runners to third base only twice and McCanna was able to escape the jam each time. 

It was still 1-0 Sioux City heading into the sixth as the X’s had not gained a base runner since the first. Danny Amaral led off the inning by getting hit with a pitch. He stole second and advanced to third where he then scored on a sac fly to center from Gabe Snyder to put Sioux City ahead 2-0. 

In the seventh, Danry Vasquez tripled to lead off the frame and immediately scored on a single up the middle from Ademar Rifaela giving the X’s a 3-0 lead. 

Chicago starter Jordan Kipper (7-4) was handed the tough luck loss as he dueled with McCanna for seven innings, but he allowed three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and a walk. 

In the top of the ninth, Ademar Rifaela went the opposite way for a solo, two-out homer to give Sioux City an insurance run, 4-0.

Max Kuhns (2) picked up the save by collecting the final six outs of the ballgame. Over his two innings he allowed only one hit and struck out five. 

Sioux City has now won the first five games of the season series and will go for the series and season sweep tomorrow afternoon at 3:00. The X’s have yet to announce their starter and Chicago will throw LHP Shane Berringer (5-5, 5.69).