Canaries Continue Slide With Shutout Loss In Lincoln

LINCOLN, NE -- Over the last 10 games, the Sioux Falls Canaries offense had been scoring runs in bunches.

After a seven-run first inning Thursday night in the series opener against Lincoln, it looked like the Canaries offensive hot streak would continue, but the Saltdogs had something to say about that in a 4-0 victory over the Birds.

The Sioux Falls offense has gone silent over their last 17 innings, their longest stretch of scoreless baseball all season long.

Friday night, the Birds ran into American Association All-Star Marquis Flemming (9-3), who racked up eight strikeouts in seven shutout innings.

Sioux Falls would mount their best offensive threat of the night in the top of the seventh inning, getting a leadoff double from Chris Valencia, and a one-out walk from Sam Lind.  The Birds' executed the double steal, putting both runners in scoring position with only one out.  The Canaries came up empty though, stranding both runners on base after Kevin Dultz popped out to shallow center, and Steve Tinoco grounded out to second, ending the inning.

Canaries starting pitcher, Joe Bircher (3-7) came off the disabled list on Friday night, making his first start since feeling shoulder tightness in his July 22nd start in St. Paul.  Bircher was strong for most of the night, but suffered the loss after giving up three runs on seven hits over five innings.

With the loss, the Canaries fall to 0-6 during their current eight-game road-trip, and have lost their last seven overall.

The four-game series continues on Saturday night, with Ben Moore (5-5) taking the mound for Sioux Falls.  First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Canaries