DURHAM, NC- The Sioux City Explorers have made American Association history this year, rolling to a 70-23 record (.753 winning percentage) and clinching the Central Division title. An anchor of the X’s lockdown bullpen has been RHP Rob Wort (pictured), who has been named the American Association’s Rawlings Pitcher of the Month for August.
Wort pitched in 13 games in August for Sioux City, collecting a 6-0 record with three saves. He was named the Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week for the week ending August 9. Wort pitched six shutout innings over the course of that week, helping the Explorers to wins in all of his appearances. His first appearance came on August 3 in a 2-1 win over the Grand Prairie AirHogs, when he tossed three innings, allowing just one hit and one walk, and struck out five. Wort returned to the hill on August 6 in a 4-2 win over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, working two innings, again allowing just one hit. He did not walk a batter and struck out four. Wort closed his week on August 8 at the Sioux Falls Canaries. Working an inning, Wort did not allow a run or a hit with no walks and struck out the side. Sioux City won 2-1.
Wort earned a win with a season-high four innings worked on August 20 at the St. Paul Saints. He did not allow a hit or run in the outing, walking three and striking out four. His last victory of the month came on August 30 against the Wichita Wingnuts, when he tossed three shutout innings, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out five.
The St. Charles, Mo. resident is now 10-3 with a 1.88 ERA on the season. He has thrown 62 innings in 39 games, striking out 85 and walking only 25. This is Wort’s second season with Sioux City. He was 2-1 with an 0.97 ERA in 24 appearances in 2014 before being sold to the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 12. Wort went 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA with the Class A Hillsboro Hops in seven appearances to close the season. He has also pitched in the Washington Nationals’ system before coming to independent ball.
The Explorers open a road series with the Grand Prairie AirHogs tonight at 7:05 p.m. in Grand Prairie, Tex.
Rawlings is the official baseball of the American Association. They are located in St. Louis, MO and are the official helmet of Major League Baseball and the exclusive supplier of baseballs to Major League Baseball since 1977. For more information about Rawlings go to: http://www.rawlings.com.
