Milwaukee 11, Sioux Falls 6 – Box Score
The Milwaukee Milkmen (1-0) took game one of the American Association Finals 11-6 against the Sioux Falls Canaries (0-1) on Saturday evening at home at Franklin Field.
The Milkmen wasted no time getting the Finals off to a strong start as they posted six runs in the bottom of the first inning. DH Jose Sermo singled home the first run and 1B David Washington doubled home the 2020 MVP LF Adam Brett Walker II in the next at-bat. RF Zach Nehrir (2-for-4) doubled to score Washington and C Christian Correa capped the early rally with a two-run home run.
DH Jabari Henry (4-for-4, 4 RBIs) hit a two-run shot for the Canaries in the top of the second but 2B Dylan Tice (2-for-3) helped stretch the lead in the bottom of the frame with an RBI single to center.
In the sixth, Henry doubled home 2B Alay Lago (3-for-5) and then scored when LF Grant Kay reached on an error but the Milkmen had an answer again in the home half as CF Brett Vertigan (2-for-4) and Tice hit back-to-back home runs. Lago scored his third run of the day in the eighth when Henry doubled for the second time but SS Mason Davis doubled home Washington in the bottom of the inning and then scored when Nehrir traded places with him in the next at-bat. With Davis’ double, all nine Milkmen had recorded a hit in the game.
C Clint Coulter added a solo shot in the top of the ninth but the Milkmen ended the game four pitches later.
Reliever Ryan Kussmaul picked up the win for the Milkmen for working two innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out three batters.
Game two will take place tomorrow, Sunday Sept. 13, at 4:30 P.M. Central Time at Franklin Field.