'Dogs Drop Series Opner to Canaries

To: Sports Desks
From: Saltdogs Media Relations
Date: July 28, 2005

LINCOLN, Neb. * Juan Thomas used a pair of home runs on Thursday night to launch the Sioux Falls Canaries over the Lincoln Saltdogs 7-2 at Haymarket Park. Former Saltdog Cory Walters picked up the win for the Canaries going 6 2/3 innings allowing two runs on seven hits. Brian Rodaway (7-3) took the loss coming within one out of his fifth complete game of the year.

The Canaries got the scoring started in the top of the second inning and took advantage of miscue from the Saltdogs' defense. With two down and a runner on second base, Alex Llanos grounded a ball to Gabe Suarez who threw it past Pichi Balet at first and Kirk Pierce was able to score giving Sioux Falls the early 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Juan Thomas showed off his power as he crushed a 2-1 pitch from Brian Rodaway out of the playing surface and almost out of the park to extend the Sioux Falls lead. Llanos walked later in the inning and scored on a double to the gap by Jonny Kaplan, his fifth RBI of the year.

Bryan Warner answered Sioux Falls scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo shot on the first pitch he saw from Walters. Warner turned on it and took it out of the park to left field, his 16th homer of the year. The Saltdogs had runners on first and second with no outs later in the inning, but Kevin Sullivan grounded into a double play to give the Dogs a runner on third with two outs. Dan Underwood came through with an infield single to pick up the RBI and bring Lincoln within one run.

Much like the fourth inning, Juan Thomas took the first pitch from Rodaway up and out of the park for his second home run of the game and ninth of the season. With that hit, Sioux Falls extended their lead to 5-2.

Sioux Falls plated another run in the top of the ninth inning. With a runner on second base Chris Weber hit a double right back up the middle to plate a run and he was followed by a triple by Kyle Kmiecik to chase Rodaway from the game.

Sean Donlin came in to close out the game for the Canaries in the ninth inning. He retired all three batters he faced to give Sioux Falls the win in the first game of the series.

With a Gary loss, the Saltdogs say in a tie for first place in the Southern Division with Gary and Schaumburg who had a travel day today. Lincoln will send Kyle Ruwe to the mound for the second game of the series. He will face off with Mike Rodriguez for Sioux Falls; start time is set for 7:05 p.m. at Haymarket Park.

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