Saltdogs keep pace in North race
Published on June 25, 2010 under American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
LINCOLN, NE - The Lincoln Saltdogs won a nail-biter over Sioux City Friday, beating the Explorers 6-5 at Haymarket Park. Lincoln improves to 25-14 on the season.
Sioux City had launched a huge rally to tie the game in the top of the seventh, but Lincoln found the final answer in the bottom half of the frame. With two out and nobody on base, Roberto Alvarez launched a solo home run against X's reliever Mike Phelps (0-1), giving the Saltdogs a 6-5 lead they would not relinquish.
Lincoln scored four runs in the first three innings, and appeared to be on its way to an easy win. Albenis Machado hit an RBI double in the first, Gavin Dickey cracked a two-run home run in the second, and Chris Brown added an RBI single in the third. Dickey drove in one more run in the sixth inning, giving the Saltdogs a 5-0 cushion.
That appeared to be more than enough, as Chris Cullen put together his best start of the season for Lincoln. He allowed no runs on five hits over his six innings of work, striking out a season-high seven in the process. Cullen departed after throwing 98 pitches, and seemed poised to earn his first win.
Sioux City, however, closed the gap in a wild top of the seventh. The first two men reached on an error and a hit batter by reliever Ben Paxton, and a Brett Mieras single made the score 5-1. Paxton recorded a strikeout, but Darrick Hale singled home the second run of the game. Adam Daniels (5-0) relieved Paxton, but an infield single by T.J. Bohn loaded the bases. Kent Sakamoto struck out on a check swing, and after the call, X's manager Les Lancaster, pitching coach Bobby Post and pitcher Jae Jung were all ejected for arguingthe call. With the bases loaded and two out, Ray Serrano hit a three-run double to left to tie the game. Serrano was thrown out trying to go to third, ending the top of the seventh with the game tied at five.
With the win, the Saltdogs stay within a game of the first-place Sioux Falls Pheasants in the American Association North. Both teams have nine games remaining in the first half, including Lincoln's three-game series at Sioux Falls next week.
Alvarez finished the night 3-for-4 with the home run, RBI and two runs scored. Dickey went 3-for-5 with his homer, three RBI and a pair of runs. Rafael also had three hits for Lincoln, while Machado, Brown and Juan Richardson all had two hits apiece.
The two teams play game two of their three-game series Saturday night at 7:05pm. Right-hander Jim Paduch will take the mound for the Saltdogs.
For more team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com.
American Association Stories from June 25, 2010
- Saltdogs keep pace in North race - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Saints And Wingnuts Rained Out, Doubleheader Saturday - St. Paul Saints
- Friday's Game Postponed - Wichita Wingnuts
- "Heads" off to Arkansas Night with the St. Paul Saints - St. Paul Saints
- Saints Ink Rochester Native, Pitcher Matt Meyer - St. Paul Saints
- Saltdogs Sign One Rookie, Trade Another - Lincoln Saltdogs
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