BOX SCORE

SIOUX FALLS – The Sioux Falls Canaries earned their third win of the season Tuesday, downing the Houston Apollos 8-7 at The Birdcage. Angelo Altavilla and Trey Michalczewski each went deep to power the second eight-run outpouring of the year for the Birds offense.

Carlos Pimentel (1-0) picked up a gritty win by limiting the Apollos (1-6) to five hits over six innings. He struck out 10. The win was his first in a Canaries uniform.

The Apollos tagged Pimentel for three runs in the first, including two on a homer by Alvaro Gonzalez. The Canaries immediately tied the game with a three-run first, highlighted by an RBI double from Nick Gotta.

Altavilla teed off for his first Birds solo homer in the second. After an Apollos error extended the frame, Michalczewski crushed a two-run bomb, his second of the season, to extend the Canaries lead to 6-3.

The Canaries (3-4) added two in the eighth before Caleb Frare notched his second save of the season by striking out the side in the ninth. Starter Ridge Ackerman (0-2) took the loss for Houston after allowing six runs (four earned) in 5.2 innings.

Michalczewski finished with a game-high three RBI. The Canaries won despite being outhit 9-6. The Birds have been outhit in all three of their wins this season.

Sioux Falls and Houston continue the series Wednesday at 7:05 pm. LHP Ty Culbreth (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is expected to start for the Canaries. LHP Yosmel Naranjo (0-1. 1.80 ERA) will start for the Apollos.

Wednesday will be Major League Night at The Birdcage. Join the Canaries as they honor the 80s classic with another Awesome 80s Wednesday. Once again, there will be a number of deals available: $8 online tickets, buy one hot dog and get the second for 80 cents through the fifth inning, and all pro shop merchandise is 8% off.

For more information on the Canaries, follow the team on Twitter @canaries. To purchase tickets and for all other team information, visit sfcanaries.com. Media contact: joey@sfcanaries.com.

By Joey Zanaboni, Sioux Falls Canaries