Lincoln takes two of three from St. Paul
June 5, 2008 - American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
LINCOLN, NE - The Lincoln Saltdogs knocked off the St. Paul Saints 4-2 Thursday night at Haymarket Park. With the win, Lincoln takes two out of three from St. Paul in the first series of the season between the two teams.
Lincoln starter Ryan Dittfurth (3-1) pitched a masterful game for the Saltdogs, in his first start of the season. Dittfurth allowed one run on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out eight St. Paul batters and inducing three double plays. Jason Jarvis struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his first save.
Dittfurth was matched nearly pitch-for-pitch by Saints starter Charlie Ruud (5-1), but Lincoln took the lead for good in the sixth. Ruud gave up a hit and a walk to open the frame, bringing up Eduardo Rios, who clubbed a three-run home run to left to give the Saltdogs a 4-1 lead. The bomb was Rios' sixth homer of the season, and he increased his RBI total to 21. Ruud went on to pitch a complete game, but suffered his first loss of the season.
The Saltdogs earned the win despite several brushes with the umpires in the contest. In the top of the third inning, hitting coach Pete LaCock was ejected while still in the dugout for arguing a call on a checked swing. Lincoln then saw a scoring chance go by the boards in the fifth inning, after a pair of disputed calls went the Saints' way. In the eighth inning, Saints first baseman Tim Brown hit a long fly ball down the right field line that was originally ruled a foul ball. After a conference, however, the ruling was changed to a home run, and Lincoln manager Tim Johnson was ejected after arguing the overturned call.
Rios had the only two-hit game for Lincoln on the night, going 2-for-4 with the homer and three RBI. Anthony Contreras went 1-for-4, extending his hitting streak to a league-best 17 games, but Dustin Yount saw his six-game hitting streak come to an end.
The Saltdogs open up a three-game series against Shreveport Friday night at 7:05. Jarrett Gardner is expected to make the start for Lincoln.
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