The Sioux City Explorers (26-36) scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to come back against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (41-22) and win 8-6 on Tuesday night. RedHawks’ second baseman Peter Maris went 4-for-4 with a walk, double, and two home runs. Explorers left fielder Sebastian Zawada led Sioux City with three hits and also scored two runs and hit two RBI.

The RedHawks opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a RBI double by Peter Maris, his first of four on the night. However, the lead wouldn’t last long as Sioux City scored three in the top of the second inning on two singles, a double, and two walks.

In the bottom of the third inning Maris hit a two-run home run well over the right field wall to tie the game. Explorers’ starter Kevin McCanna gave up three runs in the first two innings, but settled down after the third inning and allowed eight hits and a walk with three strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched. 

The game settled down after the third inning, but in the fifth inning Danny Amaral hit a leadoff triple and eventually scored off of a Blake Tiberi RBI single to take a 4-3 lead. RedHawks starter Kevin McGovern allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two in 6.1 innings pitched. Luke Lind and Joe Jones came in for McGovern and pitched a combined 1.2 scoreless innings in relief.

The game remained 4-3 until the bottom of the eighth inning when shortstop Sam Dexter hit a two-run single to give the RedHawks a 5-4 lead. RedHawks relief pitcher Alex DuBord came in for the save in the top of the ninth. But the lead was short lived again as the Explorers scored four runs in the top of the ninth off of three hits, a walk, and a hit by pitch. DuBord (1-1) earned his first loss of the season after allowing the four runs in the last frame.starter Kevin McGovern allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two in 6.1 innings pitched. Luke Lind and Joe Jones came in for McGovern and pitched a combined 1.2 scoreless innings in relief.

Sioux City pitcher Brandon Brosher (3-2) earned the win despite allowing two runs on three hits and a walk in the bottom of the eighth inning. Thomas McIlraith allowed a Peter Maris solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning but earned his 13th save of the season.

Sioux City and Fargo-Moorhead will play game two of the three-game series tomorrow night at Newman Outdoor Field, with first pitch scheduled for 7:02 p.m. RedHawks lefty Tyler Grauer (7-3, 2.83 ERA) will start for Fargo-Moorhead and Sioux City will start Tom Windle (3-2, 3.67 ERA).