Seven run fourth inning powers Chicago Dogs to triumph over Sioux Falls, 8-4.

 

The Dogs returned back to Impact Field following a series victory against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

 

Even with a quick turnaround, the Dogs offense was efficient early in the game, getting on the board in the second inning after Dusty Stroup singled up the middle, scoring Johnni Turbo.

 

Matt Walker started on the bump for the Dogs in the series opener. In his previous start, Walker shined, throwing 4.1 innings of one run ball, before departing the game after taking a ball to the leg.

 

Despite Walker throwing a shutout through the first three innings, he collapsed in the fourth inning, allowing Sioux Falls player/coach Jabari Henry to hit a solo home run to left field.

 

Following Henry’s solo shot, the Canaries added a single and three doubles in the fourth inning.

 

Walker was already in trouble, then found himself in a deeper hole once Dogs first baseman Jacob Teter made an error, allowing another run to score. The fourth inning rally totalled four runs for the Canaries.

 

The Dogs were able to defend Walker’s fourth inning pitching struggles, batting through the order in the fourth inning.

 

Stroup’s early success continued in the fourth inning, igniting a rally, pounding a bases-loaded single to right field, scoring Nick Novak.

 

Nick Dalesandro added to the Dogs fourth inning recovery, taking a hit by pitch, advancing Antonio Barranca to score.

 

Brantley Bell drove in the Dogs’ third run of the inning, popping up a fly ball to left field, giving Jesus Lujano the opportunity to tag up from third base and score.

 

Teter, the American Association batter of the month in June, continued to attack the ball, knocking a two RBI single to center field, then advancing to second on an error.

 

The offense never seemed to end in the fourth inning for the Dogs, as Turbo singled to center field, allowing two runners to score, then advanced to second base off of an outfield error.

 

The impressive fourth inning from the Dogs turned a 4-1 deficit into an 8-4 lead.

 

Walker’s night was complete after five innings of work, finishing with a final statline of five innings pitched, four runs allowed and ten batters struck out.

 

Tyler Driver was the first out of the bullpen for the Dogs, throwing a scoreless sixth inning. Driver returned for the seventh inning, unable to retire any outs after putting two runners on base.

 

Driver was pulled from the game for Lukas Galdoni. Galdoni was tasked with escaping a major late inning jam and was successful, retiring all three outs without allowing a run.

 

Not only did Galdoni escape a tricky situation in the seventh, but he continued to throw two additional scoreless innings to earn the save and secure the Dogs win in the series opener.

 

The two teams will return to Impact Field bright and early for a two game double-header beginning at 11:30 AM.