Canaries Survive Wild Ninth Inning to Beat Fargo 13-12
Source: Dakota News Now Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
In a game that defied logic and tested nerves, the Sioux Falls Canaries snapped a three-game losing streak with a 13-12 victory over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Tuesday night. The contest at Newman Outdoor Field featured a staggering nine runs in the ninth inning alone—five by each side—and a lead that swung from a Canaries six-run advantage to a narrow one-run margin before closer Will Levine shut the door.
Fargo-Moorhead struck first, plating two runs in the bottom of the second on a pair of two-out RBI singles. The Canaries responded in the top of the third. Mike Hart drove in a run on a fielder's choice, and Michael Curialle followed with a two-run home run to put Sioux Falls ahead 3-2. The RedHawks answered immediately, tying the game with a two-run homer of their own in the bottom of the third. They added another run in the fourth on an RBI double to reclaim a 5-3 lead.
Sioux Falls turned the tide in the fifth. Hart singled to drive in a run, and Curialle doubled to tie the game. Anthony Hall and Trevor Achenbach then executed a pair of sacrifice groundouts, each bringing in a run to give the Canaries a 7-5 lead. Joe Vos led off the sixth with a single and later scored on a wild pitch, extending the advantage to 8-5.
The RedHawks mounted a comeback in the eighth. They loaded the bases with no outs and scored twice on sacrifice flies, cutting the deficit to 8-7. But the Canaries responded emphatically in the top of the ninth. Hart led off with a solo home run. Achenbach singled to bring in Curialle, who had singled. A two-run error on a ground ball allowed two more runs to score, and Josh Rehwaldt capped the inning with an RBI double, giving Sioux Falls a commanding 13-7 lead.
Fargo-Moorhead refused to fold. For the second straight inning, they loaded the bases with no outs. An RBI fielder's choice made it 13-8, and then a grand slam—a towering blast—brought the RedHawks within a single run at 13-12. With the tying run on base, manager Mike Trager turned to left-hander Will Levine. Levine needed just two pitches to record back-to-back strikeouts, freezing the final batter to end the threat and preserve the win.
Curialle and Rehwaldt each finished with three hits, while Curialle and Hart drove in three runs apiece. Sean Gamble tossed 1 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings of relief to earn the victory. The Canaries improved to 44-44 on the season, maintaining a 1 1/2-game lead over Sioux City for the final West Division playoff spot. The two teams continue their series Wednesday at 7:02 p.m. at Newman Outdoor Field.
Article commentary
Tuesday night's game in Fargo was a microcosm of the American Association's wild unpredictability—a relentless back-and-forth that showcased both the resilience and the fragility of a team fighting for its playoff life. The Sioux Falls Canaries, sitting at .500 and clinging to a slim lead in the West Division, needed a win to arrest a three-game slide. They got it, but not in the way anyone would have scripted. What stands out most is the sheer volatility of the ninth inning. The Canaries' six-run outburst seemed to put the game out of reach, but baseball is never safe with a lead. Fargo-Moorhead's grand slam—a moment of raw power and hope—nearly turned the tide. Yet the RedHawks' inability to deliver with runners in scoring position in the final frame, despite loading the bases, underscores a season-long inconsistency. For the Canaries, Will Levine's back-to-back strikeouts provided a moment of clutch relief that could define their season if they reach the postseason. Offensively, the Canaries displayed depth. Michael Curialle and Josh Rehwaldt each had three hits, and Mike Hart's combination of a fielder's choice, a single, and a solo homer gave him three RBIs. The ability to manufacture runs in the fifth inning through sacrifice groundouts is a sign of disciplined at-bats, but the errors and defensive lapses that nearly cost them the game remain a concern. From a strategic standpoint, the decision to use Sean Gamble for 1 1/3 innings of relief was a calculated risk that paid off. Gamble kept the RedHawks off the board in the seventh and eighth, allowing the offense to build its lead. But the bullpen's struggles in the eighth and ninth—especially loading the bases twice—are a warning sign. The Canaries will need more consistent pitching down the stretch. For Fargo-Moorhead, the loss is a bitter pill. They showed fight, but their inability to close out innings or to produce with runners on base in the late frames has been a recurring issue. The grand slam was a flash of brilliance, but it was not enough to overcome a six-run deficit. As the playoff race tightens, games like this test a team's mental fortitude. The Canaries passed, albeit barely. If they can harness the offensive firepower and tighten their defense, they have a legitimate shot at the postseason. But one thing is certain: no lead is safe in this league, and Tuesday night was a stark reminder of that reality.