SIOUX FALLS – The Sioux Falls Canaries (16-16) picked up a victory in the second game of the series against the Houston Apollos (5-27) Wednesday. The Birds piled up 15 hits on the way to a 12-3 win. The rubber match will take place Thursday night at 7:05 PM.

Carlos Pimentel (3-1) was credited with the win for the Canaries. Pimentel pitched seven innings and allowed just four hits and one run while striking out four Apollos. Pimentel allowed a run in the first inning and then proceeded to pitch six scoreless innings. Matt Cronin (1-3) was credited with the loss for the Apollos. Cronin allowed ten hits and seven runs (six earned) in 3.1 innings.

Shamoy Christopher sent one out of the Birdcage in the sixth inning for a three-run blast. The homer was his first at home in his professional career. Nick Gotta recorded three hits, an RBI and scored. Cade Gotta, Trey Michalczewski and Mike Hart all had two hits. All ten Canaries who appeared in the lineup recorded at least one hit.

The series finale on Thursday will feature LHP Ty Culbreth (5-0, 4.24 ERA) on the mound for the Canaries, and LHP Yosmel Naranjo (0-5, 10.21 ERA) on the bump for the Apollos.

Thursday night is Man Bun Appreciation night at the Birdcage! Fans who come sporting a man bun will get free admission to the game. It will also be Thirsty Thursday and college night at the Birdcage. Fans can get two 16 oz domestic beers for just $10 or two 16 oz craft/import beers for only $12. College fans can get $5 dollar tickets every Thursday night with a valid ID.

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