Rodriguez’ Grand Night Leads Canaries To Win

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Marcos Rodriguez belted a grand slam and tied a team record with seven RBI in the Sioux Falls Canaries’ 9-1 victory over the Gary SouthShore RailCats on Friday night.

Rodriguez became the fifth player in Canaries history to drive in seven runs, going 3-for-4 and finishing a triple short of the cycle before 4,122 fans at Sioux Falls Stadium.

He pushed the Canaries lead to 3-0 with run-scoring single in the third inning before his two-out grand slam in the fourth inning made it 7-1.

Rodriguez capped the evening off with a two-run double in the sixth inning for the game’s final runs.

Now in his seventh season in the American Association, Rodriguez is second among active player in career hits (636) in the league. He began the season with Laredo and is now hitting .321 in 21 games with the Canaries since joining them on June 25.

Canaries starter Mitchell Clegg (4-3) received plenty of run support while turning in a quality start.  He held the RailCats to one run on four hits through 6 2/3 innings. His only blemish was a solo home run by Drew Martinez in the fourth inning. Clegg walked one and struck out a season-high seven batters.

James Adkins (0-2) took the loss in a spot start for Gary SouthShore. He lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up six runs, five earned, on four hits. He walked five and struck out one. He gave up a bases-loaded walk to Tim Pahuta in the first inning for the Canaries first run, and the Birds led the entire time after that.

The Canaries(25-35) won their seventh straight home game and remained undefeated against Gary (34-25) in five games this season.

The four-game home series continues at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday at Sioux Falls Stadium.

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Canaries