Canaries Wrap up Home Schedule with a 9-7 Win over the Railcats

By: J.J. Hartigan

The Sioux Falls Canaries wrapped up the home portion of their 2016 schedule on Thursday night, sweeping the Gary-Southshore Railcats in their three-game series after a 9-7 final at Sioux Falls Stadium.

Railcats starting pitch Travis McGee got the start on Thursday night, but only lasted just 3 2/3 innings against the Birds. The right-hander gave up three runs on seven hits while striking out five batters, but left the game with two outs in the bottom of the 4th inning.

Canaries starting pitcher Stephen Bougher picked up his second win of the season after holding the Railcats offense to three runs on eight hits over six innings. The right-hander walked four batters in his final start of the season while also picking up four strikeouts.

Bougher gave up one run on two hits in the first inning, but actually settled down after that. The Papillion, NE native didn’t allow another run until the top of the 5th inning, when the Railcats picked up two runs on three hits to tie the game at 3-3.

The Canaries broke the game open in the bottom of the 6th inning, scoring six runs on four hits (all doubles) against the Railcats bullpen. Designated hitter J.C. Linares capped off the big inning with his second double of the night, driving in two runs to give the Birds a 9-3 lead.

Linares finished the night going 2-for-4 at the plate with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Darwin Perez also had a good night at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

The Canaries finish up the 2016 season this weekend with a four-game series against the Kansas City T-Bones at Community America Ballpark. The series gets underway Friday night at 7:05 PM with LHP Joe Bircher (5-6, 2.70 ERA) making his final start of the season. Fans can listen to all of the action, all weekend long on Sioux Falls Sports Radio KWSN.