The Sioux Falls Canaries returned to action on Saturday night against the St. Paul Saints, hoping to snap a four-game losing streak. The Birds once again struggled to get any offense going, dropping the third game of the weekend series by the final score of 12-1 at Sioux Falls Stadium.

Canaries starting pitcher Shawn Blackwell suffered his second loss of the season after allowing a season-high, eight runs on 11 hits over six innings of work. The Right-hander recorded four strikeouts in the loss, but ran into trouble in the top of the 6th inning, facing nine Saints batters and allowing five runs to score. With the loss, Blackwell falls to 2-2 of the season with a 6.06 ERA in five starts. Both of his losses in 2016 have been against the Saints.

Saints starting pitcher John Straka improved to 3-1 on the season after holding the Canaries offense to one run on four hits over seven solid innings. The right-hander held the Canaries hitless over the first two innings, and had two outs in the 3rd inning before Blake Schmit reached base on a two-out single.

Infielder Ozney Guillen put the Birds’ on the board in the bottom of the 4th inning with a two-out RBI single, bringing home Chris Grayson to make it a 3-1 ball game. Guillen extended his hitting streak to four games, and picked up his fifth RBI of the series against St. Paul.

Straka found his groove again in the middle innings, retiring nine of his final 11 batters before striking out Aaron Owen for the final out of the 7th inning, and Straka’s final out of the night.

Owen actually put together his best offensive night of the season, going 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI and a run scored. He capped off, what was otherwise a poor offensive showing by Sioux Falls, with a two-out, three-run homerun over the wall in left.

With the loss, the Canaries have now lost five straight, and have loss the best-of-four series against the St. Paul Saints. The Birds will try to avoid the sweep tomorrow when they send out LHP Joe Bircher (0-2, 3.24 ERA) to make his 5th start of the season.

Sunday will be our first "Bark in the Park" day, presented by Hidden Pet Paradise. Thanks to Hidden Pet Paradise, you get to bring your dog out to the Birdcage for just $5 dollars! Also sponsoring the night is Sport Bowl. Be sure to stop by their table at the game and also join them for an after-party at Sport Bowl immediately following the conclusion of the game.

It’s also Sunday Family Fun-Day at Sioux Falls Stadium. Kids will have the chance to run the bases after the game, with Canaries players and coaches sticking around for autographs and photo’s after the game. Contact the Canaries ticket office for information regarding single game or season ticket options by calling 605-336-6060 or visit the website at www.sfcanaries.com for more information.

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