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Lang Collects 600th Hit of His X’s Career

Sioux City, IA  - Only twelve players in American Association history had collected over 600 hits during the duration of their career in the league before tonight. Michael Lang who already holds many Explorers franchise records, etched his name into that illustrious group with a home run in the first inning of Tuesday’s contest against the Lincoln Saltdogs. Unfortunately for Lang, the X’s dropped the game 3-2. 

Lang who already has the Sioux City franchise record for hits in a career, padded his already impressive resume tonight by adding his name to the 600 hit list. Becoming the thirteenth player ever to reach the milestone in the American Association. His home run in the home half of the opening frame tied the game 1-1. 

Lincoln scored in three of the first four innings of the ball game, with Christian Ibarra being the main catalyst going 2-4 with a run and an RBI. He doubled in the third inning to give Lincoln a 2-1 lead, that was quickly snuffed out when X’s rookie Sebastian Zawada hit his second home run of the season to tie the game 2-2. 

The difference in the game would come on a one out solo home run from John Sansone. His fifth blast of the year gave Lincoln a 3-2 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. 

Taylor Jordan (1-4) for the second straight start pitched very well for the X’s. He went seven and a third, allowing only the three runs on seven hits and striking out five. Jordan has tossed a quality start in his last three straight outings. Unfortunately for him he would be saddled with the loss. 

Shairon Martis was the starter for Lincoln and pitched well in his first start off the disabled list. He went four innings, surrendering two runs on five hits. But the story of the night for the Saltdogs was Ricky Knapp. 

Knapp, (2-1) earned the win as he tossed five innings of shut out baseball in relief of Martis. He allowed only three hits, and struck out one. 

The Saltdogs defense helped his cause as in the eighth with the X’s only trailing by a run, Kyle Wren lead off the inning with a single. With Lang at the plate Wren took off for second for a hit and run play, but Lang hit the ball right at the second baseman who was able to barely get Wren at second, and the turn to first was just in time to get Lang to end the potential rally for Sioux City. Knapp would then set down the next four consecutive batters to finish off the game. 

Both teams now have a win in the four game series. Sioux City in game three will send Jason Garcia to the bump to face John Brownell for Lincoln on Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 7:12 pm.