Dylan Kelly Leads Offensive Showcase as Explorers Win, 8-5
A night after the Sioux City Explorers dominated the St. Paul Saints on their way to winning the first game of this three-game series, the Explorers pounded out 17-hits, a season high against St. Paul, on their way to the 8-5 victory. Seven hitters had at least 2-hits in the game for Sioux City, and Dylan Kelly drove in two and had 3-hits to lead the team to victory.
Following a scoreless first inning, the Sioux City Explorers would plate three-runs in the second and third innings. In the second, Leon Washington started the inning by reaching on an error by Saints starter Jason Creasy. Joe Bennie then drilled a double to the wall in center that moved Washington to third. A ground out by Dylan Kelly scored Washington and Jonathan Gonzalez followed with a single that bought home Bennie. Josh Vitters followed with a base hit up the middle that moved Gonzalez to third and Tony Campana grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Gonzalez to make it 3-0.
In the top of the third, they doubled that lead. Brian Fortier doubled to start the inning and moved to third on a base hit by Washington. Bennie delivered a sacrifice fly that brought home Fortier before Kelly hit a double down the line that scored Washington. With Kelly at second and one down, Gonzalez singled to left to score the runner, extending the lead to 6-0.
Former Saints left-hander Kramer Sneed started for Sioux City and he pitched incredibly well. He blanked St. Paul through the first three frames, but the team finally scored a run against him in the fourth. Brady Shoemaker hit a sharp single to left to get the inning started and Anthony Gallas walked to put two on. Two batters later, Tim Colwell hit a ball to third that he beat out for a single and the bases were loaded with one down. With the bases loaded and Maxx Garrett at the plate, he fouled off a pitch that hit the home plate umpire, cutting his forehead open. After an extended delay, play continued and Garrett brought home Shoemaker with a ground out to make it 6-1.
In the firth, the Saints made this a two-run game. Danny Oh led off the inning with a double into left-center and Tanner Vavra followed by reaching on a tapper that he beat out for a base hit. Nate Hanson then grounded out, but Oh scored on the play with Vavra moving to second. Next up was Shoemaker, who drilled his 10th homer of the year over the left field wall to make it 6-4.
Hanging onto a two-run lead, the Sioux City Explorers scored solo runs in the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh, Kelly singled to center and moved to second on a ground out. With two down, Campana lined a single into center that brought home Kelly to make it 7-4. An inning later Jayce Ray singled to start the inning and scored on an error by the Saints third baseman.
St. Paul got a run back in the bottom half of the inning. With two down, Tony Thomas drilled his 10th homer of the year. That reduced the deficit to three, but the Saints could get no closer.
Kramer Sneed (1-1) earned the victory. PJ Francescon came on to pitch 1.1-innings for his ninth save. The Sioux City offense was led by Dylan Kelly, who was 3-5 with 2-runs and 2-RBI. Tony Campana was also 3-5 and he drove in 2. Five Explorers hitters had 2-hits in the game, including Jayce Ray. Brian Fortier, Levon Washington, Jonathan Gonzalez, and Josh Vitters. Brady Shoemaker led the Saints offense by going 3-4 with 2-runs and 2-RBI.
The Sioux Falls Explorers go for the sweep tomorrow. Mark Hamburger (6-1, 2.93) looks to end the Saints skid. Cody Forsythe (3-1, 3.99) goes for the Explorers. First pitch is 7:05.
By Robert Pannier
