SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Though the weather cooperated with the Sioux Falls Canaries Monday evening, the Winnipeg Goldeyes did not as the club from Canada took the opening game of a four-game series with a 3-2 win at the Birdcage.  Sioux Falls starting pitcher Kyle Ruwe whiffed five batters through 7.2 innings while allowing three runs for the Canaries (6-11), who have lost three straight and find themselves 1-3 on the current homestand.

“He (Ruwe) did what we expect from him,” said manager Steve Shirley. “He gave us a chance to win the game.”

Canaries centerfielder Drew Muren provided the excitement on offense with a booming solo homerun in the bottom of the seventh and A.J. Kirby-Jones contributed to the fund with a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Runs continue to be hard to come by for the Canaries, with the club managing only seven in their last three games.

“We had the bases loaded in the first inning and we scored one,” said Shirley.  “Are you going to score five every time? We’re not doing anything necessarily to lose the game-- we’re just not doing anything to win the game.”

A three-run third inning from the Goldeyes sealed the Canaries fate, starting with an RBI single by leftfielder Ray Sadler that tied it up 1-1.  Winnipeg took a one-run lead an at-bat later thanks to a double by Luis Alen and made it 3-1 on a sac fly by Donnie Allen.

Goldeye starting pitcher Matt Jackson had few problems with the Canaries batters Monday night, permitting a lone run on five hits in six innings while striking out four. The Goldeyes held on to take the first game after a relatively harmless bottom of the ninth for closer Chris Kissock, who took home the save on the evening.

The Canaries will return to the Birdcage Tuesday for the second game of their series with the Goldeyes for a 7:05 start.

 

Kyle Ruwe, Sioux Falls Canaries
Sioux Falls Canaries
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Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Canaries

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