The Sioux Falls Canaries continued their week-long homestand on Thursday night, opening up a four-game series against their I-29 rivals the Sioux City Explorers. The Birds kept it close for most of the night, but the Explorers managed to bring home three unanswered runs over the final two innings to secure the 5-1 final score at Sioux Falls Stadium.

Canaries RHP Dylan Thompson looked good in his first start of the season, holding the Explorers to just two runs on seven hits over six innings of work. Thompson (1-1, 2.05 ERA) held the X’s scoreless in the 1st inning, but gave up a lead-off single to Tim Colwell in the top of the 2nd inning. The speedy Colwell stole second base, and later scored the first run of the night on a Ralph Henriquez one-out base hit to give Sioux City a 1-0 lead.

The Explorers extended their lead to 2-0 in the top of the 4th after Colwell well was hit by a pitch, and later scored on a Henriquez RBI groundout.

The Canaries scored their only run of the night in the bottom of the 5th inning after the Birds’ loaded the bases with nobody out. Ethan Chapman drove in the run on an RBI sac-fly to left field, bringing home Monger from third base.

Sioux City Starting pitcher Ryan Zimmerman looked good in his 13th start of the season, holding the Canaries to one run on three hits over 6 2/3 innings of work. Zimmerman left the game with two outs in the bottom of the 7th inning after walking Michael Pair to put the tying run on base.

Rob Wort entered in relief, forcing B.J. Guinn to fly-out for the final out of the inning. Wort worked an inning and 1/3 in relief, holding the Canaries scoreless on one hit.

Josh Ferrell worked two innings in relief, retiring the first five batters he faced, but had some trouble finding his final out of the night. Ferrell gave up three straight, two-out hits in the top of the 8th, including and RBI double for Levon Washington to extend the X’s lead to 4-1. Shawn Blackwell also added a run in the top of the 9th inning after walking the lead-off batter, who eventually scored on a Derrick Robinson RBI double.

The Canaries were led offensively by second baseman Darwin Perez, who finished the night 2-for-4 with a double and a strikeout. Monger scored the only run of the night for the Birds after his lead-off walk in the 5th, but finished the night 0-for-3 at the plate. Ethan Chapman was also 0-for-3 on the night with an RBI in the loss.

Friday night is Christmas in July at the Birdcage, presented by The Salvation Army. It will have a Hawaiian feel as the players will be wearing special Canaries Hawaiian jerseys that will be raffled off during the game. Fans can purchase raffled tickets for a chance to win a jersey and watch fireworks with the Canaries players right after the game! Proceeds from the raffle will benefit The Salvation Army. The first 500 fans will receive a free beach ball, compliments of The Salvation Army.

Contact the Canaries ticket office for information regarding single game or season ticket options by calling 605-336-6060 or visit the website at www.sfcanaries.com for more information.

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