Pobereyko Silences Saltdogs, Explorers Bats Explode
by Connor Ryan, Sioux City Explorers
Sioux City, IA (August, 16th, 2022) – The Sioux City Explorers scored a season high 16 runs to take the series opening game from the Lincoln Saltdogs 16-3.
After two scoreless innings Sioux City put three on the board with one swing of the bat in the third, Danry Vasquez blasted a three-run homer to right field to give the X’s a 3-0 lead.
Ademar Rifaela added a two-run homer in the fourth to give Sioux City a 5-0 advantage. And RBI singles from Gabe Snyder and Rifaela in the fifth gave the X’s a commanding 7-0 lead.
Dominating on the other side for the Explorers was starter Matt Pobereyko (2-0). Making just the second start of his career he tossed five hitless and shutout innings, allowed just a single walk and struck out ten batters. He became the first Explorers starting pitcher to reach the double digit strikeout mark this season. He allowed a lead off walk to open the game in the top of the first before retiring the next 15 consecutive batters to finish the outing.
Taking the loss was Lincoln starter Greg Minier (6-6) who allowed seven runs, six being earned in five innings of work on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk.
Sioux City blew the game wide open with a nine run seventh inning. The nine runs were a season high for the X’s in a single inning. The Saltdogs allowed six walks in the frame with all six coming around to score.
Dylan Kelly picked up an RBI single in his first game back with the X’s since 2019. Nate Samson drew a bases loaded walk and Blake Tiberi drove in a pair with a single. Sebastian Zawada capped off the scoring for the night with a three run homer to left to make it 16-1 X’s.
Lincoln scored in the seventh on a Matt Goodheart ground out and added two in the ninth Luke Roskam’s RBI single and on a wild pitch.
The Explorers thirteen run margin of victory was their largest of the season and was the first time this year they defeated an opponent by double digits.
With the victory the Explorers take a two game lead over the Saltdogs for the fourth place postseason spot in the west division.
Game two of the three game set will take place at 7:05 on Wednesday night. Patrick Ledet (4-3, 4.02) gets the ball for Sioux City and will be opposed by right hander Zach Keenan (4-3, 5.74) for Lincoln.