CANARIES NIPPED BY AIRHOGS, 7-6

Sioux Falls, SD – The Sioux Falls Canaries (9-8) came up one run short of securing the American Association’s best record heading into the All-Star Break when they lost 7-6 to the Grand Prairie AirHogs (13-4) on Saturday night at Sioux Falls Stadium. Canaries Designated Hitter Will Smith went 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in the loss.

The AirHogs scored in the opening inning for the second night in a row. Drew Holder was hit by a pitch and Billy Munoz singled to put two men on base. Derek Nicholson singled to score Holder and Munoz scored on a double by J. B. Tucker. After a half inning, the AirHogs led 2-0.

Grand Prairie doubled their lead in the top of the third inning. Edwin Maldonado singled and Tucker hit his ninth home run of the season to give the AirHogs a 4-0 advantage.

The Canaries got two runs back in the bottom of the third. Kennard Bibbs singled and advanced to third on a single by Grant Richardson. Will Smith singled to score Bibbs, and Beau Torbert brought home Richardson with a single of his own. After three complete innings, the Canaries trailed 4-2.

Grand Prairie added another run in the fourth inning. David Espinosa walked and advanced into scoring position on a single by Holder. Munoz brought Espinosa around with a single to put the AirHogs ahead, 5-2.

The Birds tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kennard Bibbs walked and Grant Richardson singled to open the inning with two Canaries on base. Smith singled to bring in Bibbs for a 5-3 score, and Torbert again brought home Richardson with a single to pull the Canaries within one, 5-4. Smith later scored in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Patrick Reilly and the game was tied after five innings, 5-5.

Grand Prairie pulled away in the top of the seventh inning. Nicholson walked and Tucker singled to put two on base. Aaron Garza singled to score Nicholson and Tucker came in on a passed ball. At the stretch, the Canaries trailed, 7-5.

The Canaries had one last run left in them. Will Smith hit his sixth home run of the year in the ninth inning, but the blast left the Canaries one-run short in the 7-6 loss.

Jose Cordero (2-3) got the win for Grand Prairie in relief, Mark Roberts (2-1) suffered his first loss of the season for the Canaries, and James Morrison picked up a save for the 14th time this season.
*Courtesy: Sioux Falls Canaries