The two teams combined for six runs in the ninth inning on Wednesday night, but a bases-loaded walk by Kent Sakamoto in the bottom of the frame gave the Sioux City Explorers (16-17) a 6-5 win and their first-ever sweep of the Kansas City T-Bones (13-19).

The T-Bones entered the top of the ninth inning down 3-2, but scored three times against Eddie Delacruz (1-0) to gain a 5-3 advantage. Ray Sadler began the inning with a triple, but Delacruz collected two quick strikeouts before facing Jonathan Jaspe. The veteran catcher then singled home Sadler to tie the game at three. After a single by Brian Joynt, a two-run triple by Fernando Garcia gave Kansas City the lead.

Closer Andy Shipman (0-2) entered in the bottom of the ninth and surrendered back-to-back singles to start the frame. After a strikeout, a third base hit loaded the bases for Sioux City. The next batter, Derek Schermerhorn, tied the game at five with a two-run single and advanced to second on the play. Shipman then walked T.J. Bohn intentionally to load the bases, and Sakamoto followed with a five-pitch walk to secure the 6-5 win.

Shipman was charged with three runs on four hits and two walks, one intentional, in the loss. It was Shipman’s second blown save in nine opportunities this season. Delacruz allowed three runs on four hits while striking out four over one and one-thirds innings in the victory.

Kansas City started the scoring in the top of the first inning when Keanon Simon doubled off David Trahan and later scored on an RBI groundout by Rico Washington. The Explorers tied the game at one against Reid Santos in the second on an RBI single from Wally Backman, Jr., and pushed the score to 2-1 in the third on an RBI single by Sakamoto. The T-Bones brought the teams even again in the fourth when Dwayne White drew a two-out walk, advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt and scored on a single from Aharon Eggleston.

Trahan, the T-Bones closer during their 2008 championship season, departed with two outs in the top of the eighth. The right-hander surrendered two runs, one earned, on just four hits while striking out 10 over seven and two-thirds innings.

Santos left the contest with one on and one out in the bottom of the eighth. Steven Stewart entered and surrendered a double to Ray Serrano to make the score 3-2. Santos was charged with three runs on eight hits over seven and one-thirds innings.

Schermerhorn finished four-for-four with two RBI to lead the Explorers offense.

Kansas City has a day off on Thursday before beginning a short three-game homestand against the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Friday night. First pitch of game one is set for 7:05. Call 913-328-5618 or visit www.tbonesbaseball.com to secure your seats today.