NL Lincoln Saltdogs

Nagasaka Shuts Out Explorers; Patton Goes Deep Twice

August 17, 2004 - Northern League (NL)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release


Hideki Nagasaka pitched Lincoln's first complete-game shutout of the season, and Josh Patton hit two home runs to lead Lincoln to an 8-0 win over the Sioux City Explorers at Haymarket Park Tuesday night.

Five Saltdogs hitters finished with multiple hits in the game, led by Patton, Bryan Warner and Charles Peterson with three apiece. Lincoln got on the board first with two runs in the 2nd inning, scored on RBI hits from Jorge Moreno and Darren Doskocil. Lincoln added two more in the 3rd frame, on Josh Patton's first longball of the game, a two-run shot. Lincoln scored another run in the 4th inning, and Patton led off the 5th inning with his 2nd home run of the game. It was the first time Patton had hit multiple home runs in a professional game.

Nagasaka was in command from the beginning, and allowed just 3 hits and 2 walks over 9 innings, while striking out 6. He extended his scoreless innings streak to 19 innings, and lowered his ERA to 3.24, which is among the 10 best in the Northern League. He earns the win, improving his record to 7-6 on the year. Explorers starter Chris Flanagan allowed 5 earned runs in 4 innings to pick up the loss. His record falls to 0-2 on the year.

Lincoln improves to 12-20 in the second half (41-39 overall), while Sioux City falls to 12-19 in the second half (30-49 overall). The clubs will meet up again on Wednesday night in the 3rd game of the series. Chris Swiatkiewicz (5-7, 4.88) is the probable starter for the Explorers, and he is scheduled to face Darren Truty (4-7, 4.96) in a 7:05 game.




Northern League Stories from August 17, 2004


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