Fargo-Moorhead outslugs Pheasants

Fargo, N.D. – The Sioux Falls Pheasants battled back twice Tuesday, but large deficits proved too much in an 11-8 loss to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Newman Outdoor Field.

The first-place RedHawks (39-23) shot out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning off Pheasants starter Mitchell Clegg (5-4). Jared Bolden’s errant throw in left field allowed a run home, Jon Gaston singled in a run and Ryan Delgado capped the frame with a three-run home run. Marcos Rodriguez extended the lead to 6-0 with a single in the third inning.

Delgado punished the Pheasants (29-33) with three hits and six RBI, while Gaston was a perfect 4-for-4 with a double and three runs scored.

The Pheasants rallied for five runs in the fifth after loading the bases with one out. Cory Morales, Trevor Lawhorn, Jake Taylor and Al Quintana each collected an RBI. Taylor went 3-for-5 with a double to lead the Pheasants offense.

Listen to Morales' RBI: Morales_RBI 07_24.MP3

Listen to Lawhorn's RBI:Lawhorns_RBI 07_24.MP3

Listen to Taylor's RBI:Taylors_RBI 07_24.MP3

 
Fargo-Moorhead responded with three more runs in the fifth on three hits, including Carlo Cota’s two-run double. Delgado added another RBI single in the sixth for a 10-5 advantage.

Cesar Nicolas scorched a three-run, line-drive home run over the left field fence top of the eighth inning and cut the lead to 10-8, but Delgado’s final RBI hit in the eighth gave the RedHawks plenty of insurance.
Jake Laber (3-5) earned the win, tossing 5 1/3 innings and allowing five runs, three earned, on seven hits. He walked five and struck out one.

Clegg (5-4) suffered the loss, yielding nine runs, seven earned, in 4 2/3 innings.

Tom Boleska pitched a perfect ninth for his league-leading 19th save.

Pheasants reliever Barry Fowler made his season debut and gave up one run in 1 2/3 innings.

The middle game of the three-game series is at 7:02 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25. The game will be broadcast on Sioux Falls Sports Radio 1230-AM KWSN and www.kwsn.com.

Notes: Prior to the game, outfielder Jonny Kaplan was activated from the disabled list. He batted leadoff and went 1-for-4 with two runs scored in his first game since July 15.