712.277.WINS (9467)

The Sioux City Explorers and Sioux Falls Canaries wrapped up their series in Sioux Falls Sunday afternoon with the X’s winning the ball game 5-4. 

Game time was scheduled for 4:05 but a 42 minute rain delay caused the game to start late. Once the game was underway X’s centerfielder Matty Johnson was raring to go leading off with a single to start the ball game. Johnson moved to second on a groundout by Michael Lang, and then to third on a Rene Tosoni single to put runners at first and third with only one out. An error by Canaries shortstop Jerome Pena scored Johnson from third to put the X’s on the board first. 

The Explorers offense was consistent throughout the ball game, scoring again in the second on an RBI single by X’s shortstop Noah Perio Jr, and again in the fourth off a sac-fly RBI by Matty Johnson that scored Tim Colwell from third base. 

In the seventh, Matty Johnson started the inning with a lead-off walk, and then advanced to second off of a single by Sioux City’s outfielder Michael Lang. With two men on and no one out Rene Tosoni doubled to score Johnson from second, then an RBI by third baseman Tommy Mendonca on a 1-4-3 putout that scored Lang from third to extend the lead 5-0. 

That crucial last run scored by the X’s in the seventh inning proved to be much needed with the Sioux Falls Canaries scoring four runs in the eighth on a two run single by Canaries outfielder Brian Humphries and a two run double by Michael Wing. 

In the bottom of the ninth inning right hander Jose Flores came out of the bullpen for the X’s and did what he does best. He set down the lead off man in the inning RJ Perucki to start his outing. Catcher Tyler Tewell singled to put the tying run on base and only one out, but Flores worked a 6-4-3 double play to end the ball game with the Explorers winning 5-4. 

Starting right-hander Dustin Loggins (1-0) was accredited with the win for the X’s, going 5.0 innings, allowing only one hit, but did walk six on the night. Rob Wort and Billy Bullock also came in to pitch in relief.Wort went 2.1 innings and allowed four runs, Bullock- 0.2 I.P, giving up one hit and struck out one. Jose Flores (S-2) got the save on the night.

Canaries starter Shawn Blackwell (0-1) was charged with the loss, allowing seven hits, three runs in 5.0 innings. Jordan Secular, Byron Minnich and Cameron McVey pitched in relief for Sioux Falls as well. 

Big hitters for Sioux City were Noah Perio Jr, Rene Tosoni and Michael Lang who all had two hits on the contest. Matty Johnson went 1 for 3, with an RBI, a walk and two runs scored. Byron Humphries had the hot bad for Sioux Falls with a two hit, two RBI game. 

The Sioux City Explorer’s will have an off-day on Monday and then head to Kansas City to play a three game series on May 26th, 27th and 28th against the T-Bones. The X’s will be back home on Friday the 29th to take on the Quebec Capitales of the Can-Am league. For 2015 ticket information at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com