712.277.WINS (9467)

BOX SCORE

Wichita, KS-The Explorers losing skid has reached four straight after another 4-3 loss to the Wingnuts on a walk-off base hit in the bottom of the ninth for a second consecutive night Saturday at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

Sioux City (25-36) is 0-5 this season against the best team in the American Association. Wichita opened the night’s scoring with a single tally in the first. With two outs in the inning, Jake Kahaulelio doubled. Brent Clevlen and Carlo Testa each followed with a walk to load the bases. A third straight walk of Chris McMurray made it 1-0.

The Explorers took a 2-1 lead on one swing of the bat in the second. Andres Perez led off the inning with a walk. The next batter, Peter Barrows (pictured), bashed his fifth home run of the season.

Wichita (42-18) tied the game later in the fifth. Chris McClendon reached on a one-out single. An error on the infield allowed Jake Kahaulelio to reach first and McClendon moved to second. Brent Clevlen singled and drove in McClendon for a 2-2 tie.

Sioux City reclaimed the lead the very next inning. Rene Tosoni led off the sixth with a walk. Tosoni then stole second and raced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. He was driven in for a 3-2 lead as Andres Perez hit a sacrifice fly to right.

The Wingnuts drew even in the eighth to set up their ninth-inning drama. After Trevor Whyte led off with a walk, he was sac bunted to second and scored on a double by David Amberson. In the ninth, Brent Clevlen started the rally with a single. Clevlen was erased on a 5-4 fielder’s choice that put Carlo Testa on at first. Testa would score the game-winning run on a double by Chris McMurray.

Chris Bodishbaugh suffered the loss for a second straight night. Bodishbaugh (1-3) worked two-thirds of an inning and gave up one earned run on two hits. For Wichita, Matt Nevarez posted the win in relief. Nevarez (4-0) pitched an inning and struck out one.

At the plate for the Explorers, Peter Barrows went 2-for-3 with the two-run homer and a run scored. David Amberson, Jake Kahaulelio, and Brent Clevlen all collected two hits for Wichita. Chris McMurray picked up two RBIs. The Wingnuts outhit the X’s 10-5 and left 13 base runners stranded. Wichita committed three errors in the win.         

Sioux City plays the series finale at Wichita Sunday afternoon. First pitch at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. The Explorers return home for a four-game set against Gary on Monday, July 21^st. For ticket information and promotion specials at Lewis & Clark Park, call 712-277-WINS or visit the Explorers website at www.xsbaseball.com.