Canaries Pound Three Homers But Fall To Grand Prairie

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- The Sioux Falls Canaries hit three home runs on Tuesday night, including two by Tim Pahuta, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Grand Prairie AirHogs in the Birds’ 6-4 loss at Sioux Falls Stadium.

The Canaries (13-25) lost the opener of a three-game series and have gone 2-12 in their last 14 games.

Grand Prairie designated hitter Frazier Hall’s RBI double in the first inning gave the AirHogs an early 1-0 lead but Pahuta hit a solo shot to left center field in the second inning, evening the game 1-1.

Hall broke the 1-1 tie in the fourth inning with his second run-scoring double of the game. Kenny Held followed with a two-run single, the fourth consecutive hit to begin the frame against Canaries starter Kyle Ruwe (3-5).

The AirHogs (19-17) added singletons in the fifth and sixth innings on Andres Rodriguez’ solo home run and Bubba Dotson’s single before Pahuta launched the second of two home runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to 6-3.  Pahuta homered twice in one game for the third time for a team-best 11 home runs.

Nate Baumann hit his fourth home run of the year, a solo blast in the seventh inning shrink the lead to 6-4, but the Canaries came no closer. The AirHogs bullpen retired the final eight Canaries batters. Patrick Mincey tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his seventh save.

Grand Prairie starter Derek Blacksher (3-4) turned in a quality start, allowing three runs on six hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Ruwe gave up a season-high 14 hits in six innings, yielding six runs in his third consecutive loss. He walked one and struck out two.

The three-game series continues at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday at Sioux Falls Stadium.

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Canaries