Lemurs Break 9th Inning Tie, Steal 5-4 Win From Canaries

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- After losing by a combined 18 runs the previous two nights the Sioux Falls Canaries dropped a close heartbreaker at the Birdcage Wednesday evening in a 5-4 nailbiter to the Laredo Lemurs.  A single by JP Ramirez clinched the Lemur victory in the top of the ninth inning, snapping a 4-4 tie that lasted from the top of the fourth.

The loss is the Canaries (21-37) fourth in a row and overshadows a solid pitching performance from Canaries’ All-Star starting pitcher Kyle Vazquez (4-4), who went seven innings deep while allowing four earned runs on seven hits.

“I thought there were pitches to hit that we didn’t hit,” said manager Steve Shirley.

The two clubs went back on fourth on the scoreboard during the first four innings, with Sioux Falls taking the game’s first lead in the opening inning on a solo blast by outfielder Brandon Jones.

Back-to-back solo dingers the very next inning allowed the Lemurs to take their first lead of the game with a 2-1 score, though the lead would be short-lived as the Canaries responded with two bombs of their own in their half.

An RBI double from Laredo's John Alonso two innings later chopped the lead to 4-3, preceding a single from Carlos Ramirez that evened things up 4-4.

Neither team could put together anything offensively until there were two outs in the top of the ninth inning, when JP Ramirez came up to the plate with men on first and second.  The left fielder proceeded to slice a single up the middle to put his club up for good and set closer Chad Povich up to earn his ninth save.  Povich would welcome the chance with open arms, setting down the Canaries in order while striking out two men to seal the 5-4 victory.

The Canaries will come back to the Birdcage Thursday night to wrap up their series against the Lemurs at 7:05 pm.

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Canaries