Jones' Blast Pushes Lincoln Past Grand Prairie
Published on August 20, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
LINCOLN, NE - The Lincoln Saltdogs snuck past Grand Prairie on Thursday, beating the AirHogs 7-6 at Haymarket Park. Lincoln improves to 23-15 on the second half of the season.
Tied at six entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the bottom of the Lincoln order faced off against Grand Prairie reliever Greg Krause (1-1), who had already pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in the series. With one out, however, Brandon Jones hit an 0-1 pitch far over the wall in left-center field, giving Lincoln the one-run advantage. Saltdogs closer Chris Thompson came on to pitch a scoreless ninth inning, locking down the win and earning his 29th save.
Early on, it looked like the game would be an easier win for Lincoln. Grand Prairie took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a solo home run, but Lincoln roared back with six runs in the second inning. Jones, Rafael Alvarez and Shawn McGill each drove in two runs in the frame, with Alvarez and McGill providing key two-out, run-scoring hits. Saltdogs starter Justin Knoff looked strong in his second outing for Lincoln, allowing just two runs on four hits in his first six innings of work.
With the score 6-2 in the seventh, however, the potent Grand Prairie offense rallied. Two hits and a sacrifice bunt chased Knoff from the game. Forrest Cory struck out the next hitter, but with two out, Thomas Incaviglia hit a two-run single to make it 6-4. Cory departed after walking the next batter, bringing on Matt Petrusek (2-1). Daniel Berg greeted him with a bloop RBI single to make it 6-5, and Cesar Nicolas doubled to left to tie the game. Berg tried to score from first on the double, but Gavin Dickey and Albenis Machado combined to throw him out at the plate and preserve the tie.
Jones ended the night 2-for-4 with the home run and three RBI. Alvarez went 4-for-4 with two RBI, while Dickey and Shea McFeely each had a pair of hits for Lincoln as well.
The Saltdogs will host St. Paul in a huge three-game series that begins Friday night at 7:05. Righty Jarrett Gardner is scheduled to make the start for the Saltdogs.
The current Saltdogs homestand runs through August 23. For more team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com.
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