SIOUX FALLS, SD -- The Sioux Falls Canaries scored early and often en route to a 10-3 victory over the Amarillo Sox on Saturday night before 3,898 fans at Sioux Falls Stadium.

The Canaries (41-57) put Amarillo in a tight spot with the victory. The Sox entered the game in a three-way tie for the South Division lead with Grand Prairie and Laredo, who both won their games on Saturday.

Early run support was plenty for Canaries starter Ben Moore (10-8), who finished his 2013 campaign by becoming the Birds’ second double-digit winner, along with Kyle Ruwe. By throwing 8 1/3 innings, Moore matched Ruwe with 155 1/3 innings pitched this season, both a new team and league record.

Moore spun a quality start, allowing three runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out five, and he did not allow a hit until the fifth inning.

The Canaries jumped on Amarillo (51-47) starter Jason Mitchell (8-6) in the first inning. Jared Clark drew a bases-loaded walk for the first run, and J.P. Ramirez followed with a two-run double.  In the second, Marcos Rodriguez collected a sacrifice fly, Reggie Abercrombie doubled home a run, and Tim Pahuta added an RBI single to build a 6-0 lead. Two more Canaries runs scored in the fourth on a wild pitch and Clark’s run-scoring single.

Amarillo (51-47) managed two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh, but Pahuta put the game out of reach with a  two-run homer in the eighth inning, his 29th of the year and second most in the league.

Abercrombie paced a 15-hit attack with a 3-for-4 performance, including two doubles and three runs scored. Pahuta was 2-for-5 with three RBI.

Mitchell took the loss and left after just two innings. He gave up six runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out two.

Game two of the final series of the year begins at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday at Sioux Falls Stadium.

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Canaries

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