Franklin, WI — The Explorers used four runs in the first three innings to propel their way to a win in the rubber game of their three game series against the Milwaukee Milkmen. They end their first road trip of the 2021 season with a 4-3 win. 

Thanks to an early lucky break the X’s got on the board in the top of the first. Jared Walker hit a two out ground ball to second that looked like an easy end to the inning, but the grounder was mishandled for an error. Joseph Monge took full advantage of the miscue as he doubled to deep center field, scoring Walker from first to make it 1-0 X’s.

The Explorers scored eight runs combined in the top of the first innings on their road trip.

Sioux City added to their lead in the second and Chase Harris hit his second homer of the season. The two run shot made it 3-0 X’s, as now both of Harris’ home runs have come against the Milkmen.

The scoring finally ended for Sioux City in the third as Lane Milligan tripled to lead off the inning. He was immediately brought home on a Jared Walker single making it 4-0.

Milwaukee got one back in the bottom half of the third. Aaron Hill tripled to left center field to lead off the inning. He would score on a Brett Vertigan ground out making it a 4-1 game.

Ryan Zimmerman (2-1) who now has started two of his three games this year against Sioux City settled in for Milwaukee. He did not allow a hit after the Walker RBI single in the third and retired the last 10 Explorers he faced. However he was still handed the loss as he went seven innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits, striking out six and walking two.

Adam Walker pulled the Milkmen to within a run with a two run home run in the bottom of the sixth, one batter after an error allowed a base runner to reach. Walker’s third homer of the year, all coming against Sioux City pulled the score to 4-3.

Explorers starter Brett Adcock (1-1) earned his first win of the season while starting on only three days rest. He went 5.1 innings, allowing the three runs, with two being earned. He allowed four hits and issued three walks while striking out four.

From there the X’s bullpen took over, as Max Kuhns tossed 1.2 innings, with a couple of strikeouts. Jose Velez got a double play in the eighth. And Matt Pobereyko (5) earned the four out save as he retired all four Milkmen that he faced.

Sioux City now has a day off on Thursday before opening up a seven game home stand that begins on Friday at 7:05 pm against the Lincoln Saltdogs.

Boxscore

by Connor Ryan, Sioux City Explorers