Explorers Take Series Opener from Goldeyes
Photo Credit: Tim Tushla/Sioux City Explorers
SIOUX CITY, IA – The Sioux City Explorers (40-44) scored five runs over the first two innings and went on to defeat the Winnipeg Goldeyes 8-5 Friday evening at Lewis & Clark Park.
Winnipeg (45-38) fell behind 3-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Left fielder Henry George doubled with two outs and scored on first baseman Alberto Osuna's single to left. After right fielder D'Shawn Knowles walked to load the bases, catcher Wilfredo Giménez lined a two-run single to right that brought designated hitter Braulio Vásquez and Osuna home.
Sioux City added two runs in the second when second baseman Zac Vooletich doubled and George followed with a single to centre that scored third baseman Zane Denton and Vooletich, extending the lead to 5-0.
The Goldeyes answered with three runs in the top of the third. Right fielder Max Murphy walked and moved to second on a wild pitch before second baseman Peyton Holt singled to right to score Murphy. First baseman Ray-Patrick Didder then hit a two-run home run to left, his team-leading 18th of the season, cutting the deficit to 5-3.
The Explorers restored their five-run advantage with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Vooletich singled, George walked, and Vásquez singled to load the bases before Osuna lifted a sacrifice fly to centre that scored Vooletich. After Giménez walked to reload the bases, shortstop Jackson Van De Brake and Denton drew consecutive bases-loaded walks, forcing home George and Vásquez to make it 8-3.
Winnipeg pulled closer in the seventh when catcher Raphaël Pelletier singled to centre and scored on left fielder Jiandido Tromp's double to left, trimming the deficit to 8-4.
The Goldeyes added another run in the ninth when centre fielder Noah Marcelo reached on a fielder's choice and scored on Pelletier's second hit of the night, a single to right, for the final 8-5 margin.
Right-hander Luke Boyd (L, 8-6) allowed five runs on six hits over two innings, walking three and striking out two. Left-hander Tasker Strobel struck out three over two scoreless innings of relief.
Hunter Poe (W, 1-0) allowed four runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings for Sioux City. He walked one and struck out three.
The series continues Saturday at 6:05 p.m. CDT at Lewis & Clark Park. Left-hander Kevin Vaupel (3-5, 5.67 ERA) is scheduled to start for Winnipeg, while Sioux City will counter with right-hander Zach Willeman (5-6, 5.42 ERA).
Fans can join Trevor Curl for all the action live on CJNU 93.7 FM and online at cjnu.ca, with the pregame show beginning at 5:30 p.m. The video stream will be available free of charge at AABaseball.TV.
The Goldeyes return home to Blue Cross Park Monday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m. when they host the Kansas City Monarchs.
For information about Single Game Tickets, Skysuites, and Group Packages, please visit Goldeyes.com/Tickets.
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