712.277.WINS (9467)

BOX SCORE

Winnipeg, MB-Sioux City starter and Japanese import Kohei Tsukada kept the Goldeyes in check for his first professional win in the United States as the Explorers won the series finale 6-1 today at Shaw Park.

The X’s (5-9) took two of three from first-place Winnipeg (8-5) to win their first series of the season. Sioux City struck first with a two-run second inning. Nate Samson led off with a single, his first hit since a league-best 12-game hitting streak ended last night. Luke Murton then walked. Mark Sobolewski singled on the infield to load the bases. The next batter, Peter Barrows, singled to center and drove in both Samson and Murton for a 2-0 lead.

Sioux City tacked on three more runs in the fifth. Michael Lang started the inning with a single to center. Following a strikeout, Lang stole second and Tom Mendonca singled to right for a 3-0 advantage. Nate Samson produced another base hit that pushed Mendonca to third. Samson stole second. With two outs, Mark Sobolewski singled to center for two more runs and the X’s held a 5-0 lead.

Winnipeg plated their lone tally of the game in the bottom of the fifth. The Explorers final run of the day came via a two-out, solo home run by Rene Tosoni. It was Tosoni’s first round-tripper of the season.

Making his first professional start in the states, right-hander Kohei Tsukada picked up the win. Tsukada (1-0) worked six innings and limited the Goldeyes to just one earned run (solo HR) on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Rob Wort and Jimmer Kennedy combined to finish the final three innings. Matt Jackson took the loss for Winnipeg. Jackson (2-1) went five innings and yielded five earned runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.

Four Sioux City batters had multi-hit games. Nate Samson went 3-for-3 with two runs. Mark Sobolewski was 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Rene Tosoni and Michael Lang both collected two hits as well. The X’s outhit the Goldeyes 13-4. There were no errors in the game.

The Explorers now travel to Fargo-Moorhead for a four-game series starting tomorrow night at Newman Outdoor Field. Sioux City returns home June 2^nd against Gary SouthShore. For ticket information and promotion specials at Lewis & Clark Park, call 712-277-WINS or visit the Explorers website at www.xsbaseball.com.