George Grand Slam Punctuates RedHawks Decisive Frame
FARGO, N.D. – The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (57-38) scored nine runs in the sixth inning, including a grand slam from Jordan George (1-for-4, walk, two runs scored, four RBI), and beat the Sioux City Explorers (49-45) by a score of 10-5 in front of 2,644 fans at Newman Outdoor Field on Wednesday night to even the clubs’ three-game series at a game apiece. With the win and a Chicago Dogs loss to Winnipeg, the RedHawks are now two games back of the North Division lead.
Sam Dexter (2-for-3, walk, two runs scored, two RBI) opened the scoring for the RedHawks in the third inning as he hit a solo home run over the left field wall. Fargo-Moorhead then sent 12 men to the plate in the sixth and scored nine runs on just four hits. The RedHawks took the lead on a wild pitch from Sioux City’s Nate Gercken before he walked Pina to score another F-M run. A two-run single and an RBI double from Nick Novak and Sam Dexter, respectively, brought three more in before Gercken loaded the bases for George. He crushed a ball just over the foul pole in right field that was ruled a home run on the field and upheld to score four more runs and give the RedHawks a nine-run league.
LHP Matt Tomshaw (4-0, 2.33 ERA) started for the RedHawks and allowed three runs on six hits in 6.2 innings pitched and got the win on Wednesday night. RHP Logan Nissen relieved Tomshaw in the seventh inning and allowed two runs on three hits in an inning pitched. RHP Joe Jones pitched a third of an inning before passing the ball to RHP Luke Lind in the ninth. Lind allowed a hit and a walk but did not give up a run in his inning pitched.
RHP Jonah Smith (1-2, 5.20 ERA) went 3.0 innings in the start for Sioux City, giving up one run on two hits before being replaced by LHP Jose Velez (2-2, 3.64 ERA). Velez picked up the loss after giving up two runs on one hit in two innings of work. RHP Nate Gercken then came into the game and allowed seven runs on three hits and three walks in 0.2 innings pitched. Right-handers Michael Slaten and Jhonleider Salinas also pitched for the Explorers.
Jose Sermo (2-for-3, two doubles, two walks) and Sebastian Zawada (3-for-4, double, home run, two runs scored, three RBI) combined for half of the Explorers’ hits on Wednesday night. Sioux City scored two runs in both the seventh and eighth innings to cut into the RedHawks lead but it was too little too late.
The RedHawks will conclude their home regular season schedule on Thursday night in the finale against Sioux City. First pitch is scheduled for 7:02 p.m. at Newman Outdoor Field on Thursday night. RHP Ryan Flores (9-2, 3.32 ERA) will start in the series finale for Fargo-Moorhead against a yet to be announced Explorers pitcher.
By Chad Ekren, Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks