Saltdogs Hold Off X's in Series Opener
July 14, 2009 - American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
SIOUX CITY, IA - The Lincoln Saltdogs snapped a three-game losing streak on Friday, knocking off Sioux City 7-4. Lincoln improves to 2-5 on the second half of the season.
The Saltdogs never looked back after taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Josh Burrus walked to lead off the game, Shea McFeely singled, and Phil Hawke cracked his eighth home run of the year, putting Lincoln in front of Sioux City starter Nick Singleton (5-4) before recording a single out. McFeely added an RBI double in the fifth inning to make it 4-0, and although Sioux City scored twice in the sixth, the Dogs added a run in the seventh and two more in the eighth to pull away. The X's scored twice in the eighth as well, but Chris Thompson pitched out of a jam in the ninth to earn his seventh save with Lincoln and 17th overall.
Lincoln starter Zac Cline (4-2) had another strong outing, allowing two runs on seven hits in six innings of work. Cline had lost against Singleton last week despite pitching a complete game, but managed to out-pitch the Sioux City All-Star on this night. Cline allowed just three hits in the first five innings, and after allowing two runs in the sixth, he got out of further trouble by inducing an inning-ending double play.
The Saltdogs benefitted from the game's strangest play, which occurred in the top of the seventh. Lincoln had runners on first and second with two out when Hawke hit a sky-high popup in front of the mound. Three Explorers defenders converged on the ball, but they let it drop safely halfway between the mound and the plate. Jake Jadlowski scored from second base, and Hawke hustled all the way to second for an unlikely RBI double.
Hawke ended the night 2-for-5 with four RBI. McFeely also went 2-for-5, and Jadlowski went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Brandon Jones went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run against his former team.
The two teams play game two of their three-game series Wednesday night at 7:05. Righty Jim Paduch will make the start for Lincoln.
American Association Stories from July 14, 2009
- American Association Recap July 14 - AA
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- Lincoln Defeats Sioux City - Sioux City Explorers
- Captains Out-Duel Pelicans 2-1 - Pensacola Pelicans
- Saltdogs Hold Off X's in Series Opener - Lincoln Saltdogs
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