712.277.WINS (9467)

Sioux City, IA- The Sioux City Explorers opened the Kansas City series with a loss, falling to the T-Bones with a close 4-3 score in nine innings at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

The T-Bones recorded the first two runs of the contest in the second and fourth inning. Kansas City added their first run on a sac-fly-RBI, scoring the runner from third. In the fourth, Starlin Rodriguez lined an RBI single to left extending the 2-0 lead.

Explorers tied the game in the top of the fifth. With runners at second and third and one out, Derrick Robinson ripped a single up the middle to score both runners and tie the game at 2-2.

Kansas City answered with a run of their own in the bottom half. Jake Blackwood worked up a lead-off walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on an error, and scored off an RBI single by Jimmy Mojica.

The T-Bones chalked up one more run in the contest. In the eighth inning, Brian Erie knocked in a runner at third with a two-out RBI single, extending the lead at 4-2.

Sioux City managed to cut the lead to 4-3 in the ninth. X’s first baseman Ralph Henriquez cranked a solo-shot, cutting the lead to a lone run. T-Bones closer Mark Haynes (s-8) managed to let only one run cross in the ninth to clinch the victory for Kansas City.

Kansas City right-hander David Holman (3-3) received the victory for the T-Bones, allowing only two runs in five innings pitched. X’s starter Ryan Zimmerman (2-7) was charged with the loss, going five innings with three runs allowed (two earned) while striking out two.

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