Moore Ties Career Wins Record As Canaries Even Series in Sioux City

SIOUX CITY, IA -- Ben Moore earned his 53rd win in a Sioux Falls Canaries uniform, tying him with Rich Hyde for the franchise career record.  More importantly for the Canaries, the 5-1 win evened their series in Sioux City and gave them a chance to win a fourth consecutive series Sunday evening.

The Canaries jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the third inning off Explorers starter Greg Holt when Kevin Dultz singled and came around to score on an RBI groundout by Brandon Jones.  Holt was effective the rest of the way, giving up just two runs in 7.1 innings of work.

Sioux City was able to tie the game in the fourth.  Rene Tosoni lead off with a single and when Nate Samson singled to follow, Tosoni advanced to third when Sioux Falls right fielder Steve Tinoco bobbled the ball.  That set up Tom Mendonca who scored Tosoni on a sacrifice fly.

Both pitchers were locked in until Holt finally cracked in the eighth inning.  Stephen Branca led off with a single for the Canaries, but was retired at second on Kevin Dultz's fielders choice. Explorers manager Steve Montgomery went to his bullpen with one out and Dultz at first, but the move backfired as Geoff Broussard walked three consecutive hitters to give the Canaries a 2-1 lead.  Montgomery was then ejected for arguing balls and strikes before Kenny Long retired Chris Valencia to end the inning.

The Canaries added three runs of insurance in the ninth inning.  Chris Duffy drew a one-out walk and after Branca and Dultz loaded the bases with singles, Tinoco drove in two with his base hit.  Shelby Ford would add a third run with a single of his own and that gave Moore plenty of cushion for the ninth, which he finished to notch his fourth victory of the season to improve to 4-1.

The rubber match between the Canaries and Explorers takes place Sunday evening at 6:05 PM in Sioux City.

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Canaries