The Sioux Falls Canaries pitching staff gave up 19 runs on 21 hits on Sunday afternoon, and the Birds fall below .500 on the season in a 19-4 loss.

Starter Misael Siverio struggled from the opening pitch, going 5.1 innings, giving up 9 runs, all earned, on 15 hits and only struck out two. Siverio watched his ERA swell from 2.94 before the game to 4.81 after. As a whole, the Canaries pitching gave up 10 extra base hits, including six home runs.

The sixth inning proved to be the hardest for the Birds to swallow in a forgettable day. Siverio and reliever Shane Street, who’s struggled mightily throughout the season, combined to give up nine runs, including a grand slam from Chad Mazingo and another home run from Keury De La Cruz.

Meanwhile, RedHawks starter Tyler Alexander pitched a strong outing, lasting six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits, striking out seven, and walking two. The RedHawks were paced offensively by former Canary Brian Humphries, who went 2 for 5 with four RBIs and two home runs, and Chad Mazingo, who was 3 for 5 with five RBIs and two home runs.

The Birds managed to put together some offense on an otherwise embarrassing afternoon, putting ten hits on the board but just couldn’t seem to translate that to run-producing plays. Aaron Owen tripled in the fifth. Chris Grayson, who finished the day going 3 for 4 with three RBIs, drove him in with a two-run shot to right. They also found a diamond amidst the pitching struggles. Reliever Billy Waltrip, who was just signed on Sunday morning, came in to pitch the seventh and eighth innings, not giving up a hit and striking out five.

The Birds will look to turn the page as they hit the road for a short three-game series in Lincoln starting on Monday night. First pitch on Monday is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Shawn Blackwell (1-1, 5.68 ERA) will throw for the Birds, and the Saltdogs have yet to officially announce their starter for Monday. The Birds will return to The Birdcage on Thursday night to play a four-game set against North Division rival St. Paul. Contact the Canaries ticket office for information regarding single game or season ticket options by calling 605-336-6060 or visit the website at www.sfcanaries.com for more information.

By Scott Lemon


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