712.277.WINS (9467)

The Sioux City Explorers made it five wins in a row Wednesday night with the 10-5 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs. The Explorers scored the majority of their runs in the early innings putting up five in an exciting first inning, one in the third and three in the fourth. 

In the first inning Matty Johnson led off with a single. Michael Lang walked on the next-at bat and later stole second base to put runners on second and third with only one out. With runners in scoring position designated hitter Brock Kjeldgaard plated the first two runs of the game on a two-run single that scored Johnson and Lang. Explorers shortstop Noah Perio Jr doubled on the next at-bat to move Kjeldgaard to third, and then Ryan Court knocked in both runners on a two-run single to extend the lead. Tommy Mendonca would score Court off an RBI single of his own to give them five runs in only the first inning.  

In the third, Saltdogs catcher Ryan Wiggins had himself a two-out single to keep the inning alive. Eddie Young and Mitch Canham both singled on the next two at-bats loading the bases. With two outs and the bases loaded a dropped third strike would wind up scoring Wiggins from third to plate Lincolns first run of the game. The X’s kept the runs coming scoring their sixth run in the bottom of the third off an RBI double by Explorers catcher Matt Koch.

Lincoln went on two score a run in the fifth off an RBI single by Brian Joynt. The Explorers in the fourth would score three runs off of two hits and two errors. Tommy Mendonca had a two-run single in the inning as well. 

The Saltdogs would plate three runs off five hits in the eighth. Jeremy Hamilton and Brian Joynt both had RBI singles in the inning while Ryan Wiggins smacked an RBI double to score the Saltdogs fifth and final run of the game. 

The Explorers would score their tenth run in the eighth off a sac-fly RBI by Noah Perio Jr. Sioux City’s pitching held the Saltdogs scoreless in the ninth to win their fifth game in a row with a score of 10-5. 

Jeff Marquez (4-1) gets the win for Sioux City going six innings, allowing two runs on four hits, three walks while striking out five. Billy Bullock, Rob Wort and Jose Flores all pitched in relief on the night as well. Saltdogs starter Moises Melendez (0-1) was charged with the loss allowing nine runs (seven earned) in seven innings pitched.  

The Explorers had four batters finish with two hits. Michael Lang went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and a stolen base, Brock Kjeldgaard had another two hit night along with two runs and two RBIs, Ryan Court was 2 for 3 with three runs and two RBIs, and Tommy Mendonca had a two hit, three RBI night at the plate. 

The Explorers and Saltdogs will face off for the fourth and final game of the series on Thursday with the X’s looking for the sweep. For 2015 ticket information at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com