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McCanna Fans Eight in Win Over Canaries

Sioux Falls, SD (August, 23rd, 2022) - A pair of early inning rallies and eight strikeouts from Kevin McCanna buoy the Sioux City Explorers to a 6-1 victory over the Sioux Falls Canaries. 

Ademar Rifaela singled to lead off the second inning and Gabe Snyder doubled down the right field line to place runners at second and third with no outs. But an infield pop up and a strikeout quickly put two outs on the board and threatened to squander the opportunity. A walk loaded the bases for Blake Tiberi who grinded out a ten pitch at bat before doubling to right-center, clearing the bases and giving Sioux City a 3-0 lead. 

In the third, Danry Vasquez crushed a home run to right to put Sioux City up 4-0. A single was followed by an Ademar Rifaela two-run homer to center giving Sioux City a 6-0 advantage. 

The six runs were charged to Sioux Falls starter Tyler Garkow (1-9) who lasted two and a third and allowed eight hits with three strikeouts and a walk. 

The six run cushion was plenty for Explorers starter Kevin McCanna (9-5) who fanned eight Canaries over the course of six and two-thirds innings. At one point he retired seven in a row and did not allow a Canary to reach third until the seventh inning. He allowed just three hits and a pair of walks.

The only run Sioux Falls managed to score on the righty was in the seventh when Shamoy Christopher doubled off of Nate Gercken scoring Connor Blair to give the game its final score of 6-1. 

Nate Gercken and Kevin Lenik combined to toss the final two and a third innings without allowing a run. 

Sioux City keeps pace with the Lincoln Saltdogs who also won tonight in Kane County. The X’s remain a game ahead in the West Division standings. 

Game four of the five game series will take place on Wednesday at 7:05 pm. Sioux City will send right hander Nivaldo Rodriguez (1-0, 2.70) to the mound and he will be countered by right hander Joey Pulido (1-9, 6.87).