712.277.WINS (9467)

Eight strikeouts by Patrick Johnson and three RBIs from Michael Lang leads the Explorers to victory, shutting out the Railcats 6-0 in Gary, Indiana. 

Starting pitching was the name of the game throughout the night, with neither team scoring a run until the fifth inning, when Michael Lang knocked in a run off an RBI triple to give the Explorers a 1-0 lead after five. 

Sioux City went on to score the rest of the runs in the sixth, to cap off the scoring for the night. X’s catcher Dillon Usiak sent in the first runner with an RBI single scoring Ryan Court from third base to give them two runs on the night. Michael Lang smacked an RBI double, that scored Colwell from second for the third run in, and then X’s second baseman hit a two run triple to extend the lead to 5-0. The Explorers went on to score one more in the inning to make it 6-0, which would wind up being the final score in the contest. 

Explorers starter Patrick Johnson (6-0) received the win for Sioux City, pitching an absolute gem. The righty went seven full innings without allowing a run, while recording eight on the contest. Right-handers Jimmer Kennedy and Billy Bullock pitched out of the pen for the X’s without allowing a run. 

Railcats left-hander Dan Ludwig got the start on the night, getting the no decision going three innings without a run and four strikeouts. Right-hander Matt Solter (0-1) would wind up with the loss, pitching in 2.2 innings with one run allowed. Five of the six runs were charged to bull-pen arm A.J. Quintero (1-1) who went 2.1 innings with four runs earned. 

Michael Lang was the hot hitter in the contest, going 2 for 5 with three RBIs, a double, triple and a run scored. The Sioux City will play the final game of the series with Gary, tomorrow at 7:10. For 2015 ticket information at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com