SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS PRESS RELEASE
Phone: 817.739.3693
Website: xsbaseball.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2026
SIOUX CITY CAN’T FINISH SWEEP, DROPS FINALE 9–6
TWO BIG INNINGS DOOM X’S ON A SUNDAY
By: Andrew Della Piana
SIOUX CITY, IOWA – Sioux City (34–40) couldn’t carry over the momentum from Saturday night’s heroics, falling 9–6 to Chicago (22–52) on Sunday afternoon as the Dogs denied the Explorers a sweep.
The Explorers struck first in the opening inning. Braulio Vásquez, back in the lineup after being hit on the hand Friday, flared a single to center to make it 1–0.
Chicago flipped the game in the third.
Jasseel De La Cruz walked three batters, including one forcing in before Chance Sisco singled home another to make it 2–1. Nick Roselli followed with a two‑run single to left, pushing the Dogs ahead 4–1. De La Cruz’s command troubles continued, finishing with six walks in three innings, after walking seven in his previous start Tuesday.
The fifth inning broke the game open.
Chicago erupted for five runs on five hits, highlighted by a bases‑loaded hit‑by‑pitch to Giovanni DiGiacomo, a two‑run single from Ethan Wilder, and another two‑run single from Jaxx Groshans, stretching the lead to 9–1.
Chicago starter Brendan Roberts, newly added to the rotation after spending most of the season in the bullpen, delivered a standout performance with six innings, one earned run, four hits.
Sioux City finally answered in the seventh, ending a stretch of nine unanswered runs.
Jackson Van De Brake singled up the middle to make it 9–2, Wilfredo Gimenez added an RBI single, and Austin Davis lifted a sacrifice fly to cut it to 9–4. With two outs, Henry George launched a two‑run homer to right, pulling the Explorers within 9–6 and briefly making things interesting.
But Chicago’s Dominic Guzman settled in, retiring seven straight to close the game and secure the Dogs’ first win in nearly two weeks.
Sioux City begins a crucial divisional series against Fargo‑Moorhead on Tuesday at 7:02 p.m., with pregame coverage starting at 6:32 p.m. on KSCJ 94.9 FM and 1360 AM. Fans can also watch every American Association game this season on the league’s streaming platform at aabaseball.tv. Tickets for all remaining games are available now by calling the Explorers front office at 712-277-WINS or online at xsbaseball.com.
Notes from the Booth with DV:
-The X’s stole one base in the three game series.
-Henry George and D’Shawn Knowles both reached base for the 14th straight game.
-The Explorers walked 10 batters in the game.
-Jasseel De La Cruz has walked 13 batters in his last seven innings.
-Sioux City finished the season series with Chicago 3-3.
-It was Chicago’s 22nd win of the year and ended an 11 game losing streak.
–ABOUT THE SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS: The Sioux City Explorers are a proud member of the American Association of Professional Baseball in Sioux City, IA. The Explorers play their home games at Security National Bank Field at Lewis & Clark Park. For more information, please visit xsbaseball.com and follow the team on Twitter at @SiouxCityXs and on Facebook at facebook.com/SiouxCityExplorers.
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