The Sioux Falls Canaries dropped their eighth straight game on Sunday afternoon, falling to the Wichita Wingnuts by the final scored of 15-5 at Lawrence Dumont Stadium.

Wingnuts starting pitcher Jon Link picked up the win, holding the Canaries offense scoreless on four hits while striking out eight batters over 6 innings of work. Link (7-3, 3.60 ERA) cruised through his first four innings, but ran into some trouble in the top of the 5th, loading the bases with nobody out. The right-hander worked his way out of the jam, striking out the next three batters to keep the Birds scoreless.

Canaries starting pitcher Kris Regas suffered his 4th loss of the season after giving up five runs on eight hits over five innings. Relief pitcher Lance Fairchild had his first rough outing of the season, giving up four runs on three hits in his one inning of work.

Dylan Thompson made his 10th relief appearance in the bottom of the 7th inning. The right-hander gave up a pair of hits, but did not allow a run to score.

The Canaries were forced to bring in infielder David Bergin to pitch in the bottom of the 8th inning. The right-hander recorded his first career strikeout in a Canaries uniform, but gave up six runs on seven hits in 1/3 of an inning. Ryan Lashley finished the inning, walking a batter, but forced a double play to end the inning.

Cameron Monger had another good day at the plate, going 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. The Canaries left-fielder put the Birds on the scoreboard for the first time in the top of the 7th inning, blasting a lead-off homerun over the wall in left-center. The Canaries scored three runs that inning, including two runs on a Darwin Perez RBI double.

Perez also finished the night 1-for-4 at the plate with two RBI. Bergin went 1-for-4 at the plate for the Birds, picking up his 13th double of the season in the top of the 6th inning.

The four-game series wraps up on Monday night with RHP Shawn Blackwell (5-4 7.08 ERA) making his 12th start of the season against Wingnuts LHP Todd Kibby (0-0, 1.80 ERA). Fans can listen to every pitch, all game long on AM-1230, FM-98.1 Sioux Falls Sports Radio KWSN, or online at www.kwsn.com. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Sunday.

The Canaries return home on Tuesday, July 19th when they open up a three-game series against their North Division rivals, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. Tuesday night is NAVY NIGHT at Sioux Falls Stadium. The Navy Rock Band “HORIZON” will play a special pre-game show with other musical guests throughout the night. Contact the Canaries ticket office for information regarding single game or season ticket options by calling 605-336-6060

More From KIKN-FM / Kickin' Country 99.1/100.5