September 5, 2019

SIOUX CITY, IA— Thursday night was another "slugfest" in the American Association South Division Championship series but unlike the first game of the series it was a one-sided affair. Sioux City right hander Eric Karch (1-0) tossed eight shut out innings, while the Explorers (1-1) offense rode a five run fifth to an 11-0 blanking of the Kansas City T-Bones  (1-1) to even the best of five game series at one game each.

The T-Bones allowed 11 walks while giving up 10 hits to Sioux City in the loss. Jose Mesa Jr. got the start for KC and would work four innings giving up three earned runs. The X’s took the lead off the right-hander in the home half of the first on a fielder’s choice RBI off the bat of Jeremy Hazelbaker. Two innings later the former Big Leaguer was at it again launching a solo home run to right to make it 2-0 Sioux City.

In the bottom of the fifth the X’s blew the game wide open. Mesa would surrender a lead off single to Nate Samson and leave the game. Lefty Evan Korsan struck out Hazelbaker, but after a wild pitch, Jose Sermo hit a double to score Samson to give Sioux City a 3-0 lead. Korsan was able to retire Dexture McCall on a fly to center for out number two but two straight walks would allow Sioux City to load the bases. Adam Sasser then drew the third straight walk for Korsan to bring in a run to make it 4-0 Sioux City.

Kyle Wren would hit a double to left just getting down for a base hit and skipping under a diving Casey Gillaspie. Wren would drive in three runs clearing the bases to make it 7-0 Explorers. The T-Bones would never recover in the game. Sioux City added another pair in the seventh and eighth off the T-Bones pen. Karch was superb for Sioux City retiring 11 batters in a row at one point.

Following an off day for travel the series will resume Kansas City this weekend. Game three is scheduled for Saturday, September 7^th at 7:05 p.m. at JustBats Field at T-Bones Stadium.  Game four is set for Sunday the 8^th at 5:05 p.m. and Monday the 9^th at 7:05 p.m. for game five if necessary. Catch all the action live on the T-Bones Broadcast Network. 

Tickets to all T-Bones home playoff games are just $8.00 and are on sale now online or by calling (913) 328-5618 or by visiting the Saint Luke's Box Office between the hours of 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Group ticket sales are also on sale now. 

For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the T-Bones Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Stay tuned to www.tbonesbaseball.com. and the T-Bones Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.   

Box Score

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