Saltdogs win behind solid pitching
Published on July 4, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
ST. PAUL, MN - The Lincoln Saltdogs got back on track Friday, beating St. Paul 4-1 in an Independence Day matchup at Midway Stadium. The win was the Saltdogs' fifth victory over the Saints in seven games so far this season.
Lincoln starter Jarrett Gardner (4-3), who beat the Saints in St. Paul on June 23, turned in another masterful performance on the Midway Stadium mound. The righty from Oklahoma allowed one run on just four hits in seven innings, striking out four and walking two in the process. The only run plated by the Saints all night scored in the third inning on a bloop single by Josh Womack.
The Saltdogs, meanwhile, went to work early on Saints starter Dustin Bolton (3-2). Eduardo Rios hit an RBI single in the top of the first to score Skip Adams and give Lincoln the early lead. After St. Paul tied it in the third, Mario Delgado hit a one-out solo home run in the fourth to give the Dogs the lead for good. Shawn McGill added a clutch two-out RBI single in the sixth inning, and Corey Harrington tacked on his own two-out RBI hit in the eighth to provide the final margin.
Lincoln got some great defense from brand-new shortstop Omar Bramasco, who made two highlight-reel plays in the game to rob St. Paul batters of would-be hits. Right-hander Benny Cepeda, who was acquired from Laredo of the United League earlier this week, struck out three batters in 1 1/3 innings to record his first save in a Saltdogs uniform. Offensively, Delgado finished 2-for-4 with a homer and a double, while Adams went 3-for-4 and reached base four times. Curt Miaso also had a pair of hits for Lincoln.
St. Paul's lineup featured three former Saltdogs, but the Lincoln pitching staff kept them in check. Ryan Priddy had a pair of doubles and a run scored, but struck out with two runners on base to end the game. Kevin Sullivan went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts. Pichi Balet was also 0-for-4 with two punchouts, striking out with the bases loaded to end the third inning and going down swinging again with two on and two out in the eighth.
The Saltdogs and Saints play game two of their three-game series Saturday night at 7:05. Ryan Trytten is scheduled to make the start for Lincoln, while Mark Romanczuk is expected to start for St. Paul.
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