CLEBURNE – The Sioux Falls Canaries carried a 6-5 lead to the ninth Saturday at The Depot but could not hold on. The Birds fell in the second game of the series 7-6 after the Railroaders scored twice in the final inning. Zane Gurwitz went deep for a two-run homer in the loss.

Angel Ventura got the start for the Canaries and scattered five runs (three earned) in five innings of work. He struck out five and allowed one walk. He dueled with Cleburne starter Austin Fairchild, who walked six but allowed just two runs (two earned) in four innings. Both starters got no-decisions.

Gurwitz homered in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2, but the Railroaders struck for three in the fifth to open a 5-2 advantage. The Canaries rallied to take a 6-5 lead in the seventh on a go-ahead RBI single from Shamoy Christopher.

Jackson Maynard and DJ Sharabi combined to set aside nine Cleburne batters in a row in the sixth through eighth. The relief men combined for six strikeouts. In the ninth, the Railroaders loaded the bases with one out against Robbie Gordon. Gordon (1-1) then hit Ramon Hernandez and walked Chase Simpson to end the game. Edward Cruz (1-1) earned the win for Cleburne with two frames of scoreless relief.

The Birds (18-22) return to The Depot to meet the Railroaders (22-19) in the finale of the three-game series Sunday. First pitch is slated for 6:00 pm. RHP Colby Wyatt (1-2, 5.09 ERA) is expected to start for the Canaries. RHP Garrett Alexander (4-4, 6.81 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Railroaders. A live broadcast of the game will be available via Fox Sports 98.1 FM.

The Canaries return home for a seven-game homestand starting July 6 vs. Kansas City. First pitch is slated for 7:05 pm. 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.

Boxscore

by Joey Zanaboni, Sioux Falls Canaries