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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Aug. 9, 2019) – The Cleburne Railroaders scratched across a run in the top of the 11th inning and hung on for a wild 1-0 win over the Sioux City Explorers on Friday night at Lewis and Clark Park.

With two on and two out for Cleburne (46-31) in the 11th, Zach Nehrir hit a slow dribbler up the third base line that Jose Sermo barehanded and threw wildly to first. The errant throw allowed Daniel Robertson, who had reached on a one-out walk, to come in and score the go-ahead run.

Sioux City (44-33) threatened in the bottom of the inning, getting a lead-off single from Drew Stankiewicz. Tyler Wilson retired the next two hitters on pop ups to Robertson, then John Nester cut down Stankiewicz trying to steal to end the game. The caught stealing secured Wilson’s 19th save of the season.

The story of the night was the Cleburne defense, which denied Sioux City time and time again to preserve the scoreless deadlock. Michael Gunn retired the first nine Explorers he faced, but ran into trouble in the fourth, as Sioux City loaded the bases with two outs. A line drive to center from Stankiewicz was speared by Nehrir on a dive in center to end the inning.

The Explorers then threatened in similar fashion in the fifth, loading the bases with two outs once more. Jeremy Hazelbaker blasted a long drive to left that Angel Reyes ran down on the warning track to end the threat.

Gunn ended with a no-decision in his first start since being activated off the Inactive List. The southpaw worked five shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out three.

Greyfer Eregua was excellent in relief, keeping the game tied with three and a third scoreless innings. The Explorers threatened against him in the bottom of the ninth with consecutive one-out singles, but Nefi Ogando (4-4) came out of the bullpen to set down the next two. Ogando then picked up a big strikeout to strand two more Sioux City runners in the bottom of the tenth.

The Explorers stranded 11 runners on the night.

Tyler Falwell (7-5) took the loss for Sioux City, issuing back-to-back walks to set the stage for Nehrir’s single in the 11th.

The Railroaders and Explorers continue their series on Saturday night at 6:05 PM. Stephen Johnson (6-1, 3.17) starts for Cleburne, while Sioux City will counter with right-hander Eric Karch (4-4, 4.80).

For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.