SIOUX CITY, IA -- The Sioux Falls Canaries fell behind early and battled back late, but they couldn’t overcome an early deficit, suffering a 5-3 loss to the Sioux City Explorers in the American Association season opener Thursday night at Lewis and Clark Park.

Canaries starter Ben Moore (0-1) sought to make history with what would have been his league-record 40th win.  But the Explorers denied Moore his chance, while Sioux City starter Josh Rainwater (1-0) pitched six-plus innings and earned the victory. Moore fanned seven batters despite the loss.

The Explorers (1-0) took the lead in the second inning with two runs against Moore.  Peter Barrows led off the inning with a single, and Palmer Karr followed with a two-run home run to left center, giving the Explorers a 2-0 lead.

Sioux City expanded the lead in the bottom of the third.  Eliezer Mesa and Yusuke Inoguchi plated on a Peter Barrows triple off the left field wall.  Palmer Karr followed with an RBI single, and the Explorers extended their lead to 5-0.

The Canaries offense woke up in the top of the seventh inning.  Jared Clark walked to lead off the inning, and Tim Pahuta doubled.  Steve Domecus followed with a two-RBI double, and the Birds cut the lead to 5-2.  Domecus later scored the Canaries’ third run of the inning on a wild pitch, making it 5-3.  But that was as close as Sioux Falls would get.

Domecus led off the ninth with a single to bring the tying run to the plate, but Sioux City closer Chris Bodishbaugh retired the next three Birds to end the game and notch his first save.

John Alonso joined Domecus as the only two Canaries with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with a walk in his debut with the Canaries. Domecus was 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Karr had two hits and three RBI for the Explorers, and Peter Barrows had two hits, an RBI and two runs scored.

The Canaries return home to Sioux Falls at 7:05 p.m. on Friday for their home opener against Sioux City.

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Canaries

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