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Sioux Falls, SD-----The Sioux City Explorers lost their fifth straight game as the Sioux Falls Canaries defeated the Explorers 3-1 here Saturday.  It was the fifth straight win for Sioux Falls as the Canaries swept the four-game series from the X’s.

The Explorers took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a two-out single by Luke Murton that scored Eliezer Mesa from second base.  Mesa led off the inning with a single and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Anthony Kaskadden.  It would be the only run the Explorers would score.

Sioux Falls would take the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when Tim Pahuta hit a two-run home run off losing pitcher Dan Jurik to give the Canaries a 2-1 lead.  The home team would add another run later in the inning on a run scoring single by Marcos Rodriguez.

The Explorers had chances late in the game, but couldn’t get the key hit.  In the eighth inning the X’s had runners at second and third with one out, but could not score.  In the ninth inning Yuske Inoguchi led off the inning with a single, but with one out, Bryan Pounds grounded into a double play to end the game.

The Explorers will now begin a seven-game home stand Sunday with Central Division leading Wichita at Lewis and Clark Park.  The Explorers will play three games against Wichita followed by a four-game series against Fargo-Moorhead.  Game time Sunday will be 6:05pm.