Saltdogs drop series, but stay in first place
Published on July 25, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
ST. PAUL, MN - The Lincoln Saltdogs dropped a one-run decision on Saturday, falling 4-3 at the hands of St. Paul. Lincoln now sits at 7-8 on the second half of the season.
St. Paul took the lead for good in the sixth, benefiting from a pair of strange plays. Josh Alley led off the frame with a routine fly ball to left-center, but the Lincoln defenders lost the ball in the twilight sky and it dropped untouched, giving Alley a double. A hit batter and a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out. The Saltdogs brought the infield in, and Scott Knazek grounded to second, but Shea McFeely's throw to the plate went wide and allowed two runs to score. The rally made a loser out of Lincoln starter Brian Campbell (2-3), who pitched to the first two batters in the sixth before being relieved.
The two teams went back and fourth in the first four innings. St. Paul scored a run in the bottom of the second, on an RBI single by Jacob Butler. Lincoln tied in the top of the third when Pichi Balet was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, but the Saltdogs couldn't take further advantage of the opportunity. The Saints surged ahead on Jason Cooper's RBI single in the bottom of the third, but the Dogs tied it again in the fourth on an RBI single by Josh Burrus. After St. Paul took the lead in the sixth, Lincoln got one run back in the seventh on an RBI groundout by Shawn McGill, but the Saltdogs left another runner at third in the frame. Overall, the Dogs stranded 11 runners on the night.
Deacon Burns ended the game 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored. Three Lincoln relievers-Tim Brown, Adam Daniels and Matt Petrusek-combined for three scoreless innings of work, allowing just one total hit and striking out six. Despite the loss, the Saltdogs remain in a first-place tie with Sioux City in the North division of the American Association.
After an off-day on Sunday, Lincoln returns home on Monday to open a four-game series against Sioux City. Lefty Zac Cline will make the start for the Saltdogs.
The next Saltdogs homestand begins on July 27. For more team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com.
American Association Stories from July 25, 2009
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- Saints Hold On to Edge Saltdogs 4-3 Saturday - St. Paul Saints
- Saltdogs drop series, but stay in first place - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Massetti, Captains down Cats 5-2 - Fort Worth Cats
- Birds blanked again - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wingnuts shutout Canaries 7-0 - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints ink St. Olaf grad Mathison - St. Paul Saints
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