712.277.WINS (9467)

Sioux Falls, SD- The Sioux City Explorers get the 6-5 victory over Sioux Falls on Christmas in July at Mercy Field at Lewis and Clark Park.

Sioux Falls jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Canaries second baseman Darwin Perez tripled with one out, and scored on a sac-fly-RBI by Blake Schmit for the first run of the contest.

Explorers answered with a couple runs in the second. X’s hitters Levon Washington and Tim Colwell each singled to start the inning. With runners at first and second, Brenden Slattery knocked in both runners with an RBI triple to take the 2-1 lead.

Sioux City tacked on three more in the third inning. Back-to-back RBI singles by LeVon Washington and Tim Colwell scored the first two runs of the inning. Brendan Slattery’s sacrifice-fly to centerfield plated the tagging runner at third base to extend their lead to 5-1.

The Canaries tacked on three runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Sioux Falls recorded an unearned run in the fifth inning. In the sixth, Jake Taylor smashed a two run homer to cut the lead to 5-4.

Both squads went on to score one more run, giving the Explorers the 6-5 victory at Mercy Field at Lewis and Clark Park on Sunday afternoon.

Explorers right-hander Bubba Maxwell (1-0) received the victory in his debut as a starter, allowing four runs (three earned) while recording six strikeouts in six innings pitched. X’s closer Connor Overton (s-11) got the save, going 1-2-3 in the ninth inning to clinch the 6-5 victory for Sioux City.

Canaries starter Ray Hanson (0-3) was charged with the loss, giving up six runs on eleven hits in 5.1 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