Sioux Falls Canaries Earn Series Split in Winnipeg

The Sioux Falls Canaries’ offense woke up and starter Joe Bircher was on cruise control over six innings of work as the Canaries bet Winnipeg, 8-4.

Bircher had a rocky start to his day, walking two in the first inning. Designated hitter and former Canary Reggie Abercrombie made him pay with a two-run home run in the first inning and the Canaries, again, found themselves down early, this time 2-0.

However, the Canaries offense picked up their starter in the second inning. Taylor Zeutenhorst lead off with a single, then a pair of walks later, the bases were loaded. First baseman Cameron Monger drove in two with a sharp single, tying the game at two. In total, the Birds sent eight men to the plate in the second.

After a rough start for both starters, it turned into a pitchers’ dual. Bircher was electric from the first inning on, striking out eight batters and scattering five hits over six innings.

Neither offense made much noise until the eighth inning, when the Canaries’ bats exploded for five runs. Ethan Chapman led off the inning with a triple and David Bergin drove him in with a RBI single. A few batters later, Cameron Garfield brought home two more on a loud double. Frank Martinez capped off the offensive blast with a two-run shot.

Jerome Peña capped off the scoring with a RBI double in the top of the 9th, and Birds reliever Josh Ferrell slammed the door on the Winnipeg comeback attempt in the bottom of the 9th.

The Birds are now .500 on the season and are back State-side for a three-game home stand starting on Friday as they take on the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks Friday through Sunday. 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.

By Scott Lemon

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