712.277.WINS (9467)

Michael Lang’s four hit, two triple night led the Explorers to a series sweep over Sioux Falls, with a 6-4 victory over the Canaries Sunday evening. 

In the bottom of the first, the X’s scored first. Explorers right-fielder Michael Lang tripled with one out in the inning and later scored off a double by Noah Perio Jr to quickly make it 1-0. With Perio at second base and two outs, Tommy Mendonca singled to score Perio and extend the lead 2-0. 

In the second inning, X’s left fielder Tim Colwell singled with one out, stole second base and scored off a Matty Johnson base-hit to extend it 3-0. The Canaries scored their first run of the contest off an RBI double by Chris Grayson in the third, to cut the lead to 3-1. 

Sioux City plated three runs in the fifth inning, off of three extra base-hits. Lead-off hitter Matty Johnson worked up a walk and scored off a Michael Lang RBI triple. Lang went on to score off a ground rule double by Ryan Court, and Court would go on to plate the third run off a double by Tommy Mendonca to give them six runs in the contest. 

In the top half of the sixth, David Bergin reached base off a hit by pitch, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Brian Humphries RBI double. On the next at-bat, Humphries scored from second on a base knock by RJ Perucki, and then a single by Canaries catcher Tyler Shover plated Perucki from second to cut the lead to 6-4 after six innings. 

Explorers closer Jose Flores (s-11) came in to pitch in the ninth, holding the Canaries scoreless and clinching the win for Sioux City 6-4. Right-hander Eric Workekemper (3-0) got the win for Sioux City going six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits with a strikeout. Losing pitcher on the night was Sioux Falls right-hander Stephen Bougher (2-1), who allowed six runs in 4.1 innings pitched. 

Michael Lang brought his bat to tonights contest, having himself a four hit night with two of the four hits being triples, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base. Explorers third-baseman Tommy Mendonca had a good night at the plate as well, going 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a double. 

The Explorers will now head to Gary SouthShore, to take on the Railcats in a four game series (July 6th-9th). For 2015 ticket information at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com