712.277.WINS (9467)

The Sioux City Explorers fell to the Amarillo Thunderheads 6-3 Saturday night at Lewis and Clark Park. No runs were scored after the third inning. 

Amarillo started the game off with an early one out solo home run by Jason Martin in the first inning to give them the early 1-0 lead. Sioux City tied it in the bottom half, Matty Johnson led off with a single, stole second, advanced to third on a Michael Lang base hit and scored off a Rene Tosoni RBI single. X’s plated two more run in the first, shortstop Noah Perio Jr smacked a two run double later in the inning scoring Lang and Tosoni from second and third. 

In the second, Amarillo second baseman Gerardo Valentin singled to start the top half and advanced to second on a base hit by Chad Bunting. Thunderhead catcher Corey Bass worked up a walk later in the inning to load them up with only one out. With the bases loaded, Logan Vick ripped a double in the gap to clear the bases and give Amarillo a one run lead. The Thunderheads extended the lead further on a two out double by Amarillo first baseman Rene Leveret that scored Vick from second base. 

Amarillo extended the lead to three runs in the third inning, Juan Martinez doubled and later scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-3, which would wind up being the final score of the ball game. Explorers finished with three runs on six hits, Thunderheads six runs, nine hits and an error. 

Explorers starting pitcher Jeff Marquez was charged with the loss Saturday night. The right-hander left the game after only two innings, allowing six runs on seven hits. Billy Bullock and Jimmer Kennedy pitched in relief for Sioux City with neither pitcher allowing a run. 

Clay Chapman received the win for Amarillo, going six innings, allowing three runs on five hits, three walks with four strikeouts. Thunderheads closer Randy Hamrick closed it out in the ninth, getting his sixth save of the season. 

Explorers had two batters finish with two hits on Saturday, Matty Johnson went 2 for 4 with a run and two stolen bases, while shortstop Noah Perio Jr had two hits, with two RBIs, two stolen bases and a double. Sioux City finished with seven stolen bases on the night. 

The Sioux City Explorers will their series with Amarillo tomorrow at 6:05. They’ll head to Winnipeg to play a four game set on Monday. For 2015 ticket information at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com