'Dogs Drop Series Opener with Fargo

The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks set a new Northern League record with the 65th victory of the season, beating the Lincoln Saltdogs 10-3 on Tuesday night at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo. The victory was also the 12th in a row for the RedHawks, and 25th in the last 26 games. Fargo-Moorhead improved to 37-5 in the second half and 65-25 overall with the victory. Lincoln dropped to 24-19 in the second half and 51-40 overall.

The victory surpassed the win total of the 1998 Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks team which went 64-21 en route to the Northern League title. The 12th consecutive victory ties for the second longest winning streak in league history, also matching the 1998 RedHawks. Fargo-Moorhead tied a league record with a 13-game winning streak earlier this month, equaling the league record set in 1998 by Fargo-Moorhead.

Former RedHawks Josh Patton gave the Saltdogs a 2-0 lead with a two-run home run. It was his 12th round-tripper of the season. The RedHawks answered back with four runs in the third inning to take a 4-2 lead. Bryon Jeffcoat and Richard Austin led off the frame with back-to-back triples. Ruben Salazar came up next and clubbed a two-run home run to make it 3-2. Later in the inning, Clyde Williams doubled home Eric Kofler.

Pichi Balet hit his 12th home run, a solo shot, in the fourth to cut the Saltdogs deficit to 4-3, but the RedHawks got their two run lead back in the fifth on an RBI single from Clyde Williams to make it 5-3.

Fargo-Moorhead broke the game open with five runs in the sixth inning. After two runs scored on a pair of throwing errors by the Saltdogs, Williams drilled a two-run single and Brent Krause added an RBI single to make it 10-3.

RedHawks starter Todd George (6-5) pitched 8.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. He struck out five batters and walked three. Lincoln starter Kyle Ruwe (6-2) took the loss. He gave up five runs on ten hits while striking out two batters.

The RedHawks and Saltdogs will continue their three-game series against on Wednesday night at Newman Outdoor Field. Game time is 7:05 p.m., with Taft Calbe (9-1) getting the start for the RedHawks. Lincoln will counter with Humberto Cardenas (4-5).

Saltdogs Swept in Winnipeg

The Lincoln Saltdogs saw their South Division lead shrink to 1 game over Gary and St. Paul Monday night after a 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Goldeyes before a CanWest Global Park record crowd of 8,668 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The loss was the Saltdogs’ fourth straight.Lincoln opened the scoring in the third. Albenis Machado led off with a double and scored one batter later when Bryan Warner’s routine grounder went through second baseman Ralph Santana’s legs. Winnipeg responded in the fifth. Harry Berrios singled to lead it off, went to second on a bunt single by Chad Meyers and kept going to third on catcher Kevin Sullivan’s errant throw.After a Donnie Ross ground out that moved Meyers to second, Al Corbeil singled home both runners to make it 2-1.

The Saltdogs threatened in the seventh after singles by Josh Patton and Sullivan put two men on with none out. Dan Underwood sacrificed them up, but Jay Yaconetti hit a grounder to shortstop Max Poulin, who threw out Patton at home.Mike Goss then flew out to end the inning and leave runners at the corners.David Manning (3-1) got the win for the Goldeyes after allowing an unearned run on six hits in 62/3 innings while walking one. Brian Rodaway (7-7) was the hard-luck loser, allowing both runs on six hits while fanning eight and walking none in going the distance for a league-leading sixth time.The Saltdogs open a three-game series with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks tonight at 7:05 before returning home to Haymarket Park to face the Sioux City Explorers on Friday.

'Dogs Lose Third Straight Game

Rodney Myers allowed only seven hits on Sunday in Winnipeg, Manitoba, en route to his first complete game of the year. Unfortunately for Myers, the Lincoln Saltdogs weren't able to overcome the Goldeyes' three-run second inning and dropped a 3-2 decision to Winnipeg. It was Lincoln's third straight loss, all in this series, and cut Lincoln's second-half lead in the Northern League South Division. Lincoln (24-17) now leads by a game and a half over Gary (23-19) and two games over St. Paul (22-19). Gary defeated Joliet 10-3 on Sunday and St. Paul stopped Sioux Falls 4-1.

The Saltdogs opened the scoring in the top of the second when Josh Patton hit a leadoff double and scored on a wild pitch.Winnipeg, however, took control of the game with an offensive outburst in the home half of the inning. Myers allowed four singles in the inning. Kevan Burns singled to drive in the first run, tying the score at 1-1, and was one of two Goldeyes to score on Max Poulin's bases-loaded single later in the inning.Lincoln cut the deficit to 3-2 in the seventh when Jay Yaconetti double and scored on Cory Harris' single.That chased Winnipeg starter Roger Luque, but the Goldeyes' bullpen slammed the door shut on the Saltdogs' hopes.

Luque (6-7) got the win after allowing two runs on nine hits in 71/3 innings. He also walked two and struck out three. Myers (10-4) struck out six and walked only one.

Winnipeg Wins Game #2

In last night's game, Saltdogs pitcher Ben Fox allowed three runs on seven hits in seven innings of work, but took the loss. Fox is now 2 and 1 on the season, in the outing he struck out seven and walked two. Lincoln opened the scoring in the sixth. Josh Patton singled with one out and was forced at second by Dan Underwood, who then stole second and scored when Jay Yaconetti blooped an RBI single to right.Winnipeg tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth. Former Saltdog Jorge Moreno singled with one out, moved to second on a single and kept going to third when right fielder Mike Goss booted the ball. Fox then struck out Chad Meyers as Berrios broke for second. Kevin Sullivan's throw was late, prompting Moreno to steal home. The Goldeyes took scored twice in the seventh and added two more runs in the eighth to secure the win.

Saltdogs Lose Game #1 to Winnipeg

Winnipeg rallied in the ninth inning to force extra innings, then watched as the Lincoln Saltdogs scored once in the top of the 10th to take a late lead. The Goldeyes, however, didn't give up, rallying for a pair of runs in the bottom of the 10th to deflate the Saltdogs 7-6 on Friday night in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Jay Yaconetti drew a lead-off walk in the Lincoln half of the 10th, advanced to second on a sacrifice and scored on a double by Cory Harris, for a 6-5 Saltdogs lead. The Goldeyes came right back in their half of the inning. Daniel Quartararo and Ralph Santana each singled and advanced on a sacrifice by Max Poulin. Moreno then hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Quartararo. Harry Berrios then hit a single, scoring Santana with the winning run.

Winnipeg opened with a pair of singles in the third inning when Berrios drove in both Poulin and Moreno with a two-out single. Lincoln took the lead in the top of fourth. Yaconetti hit a leadoff single and Mike Goss walked. Both advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Bryan Vickers. Goldeyes pitcher Phil Sobkow then hit Cory Harris with a pitch to load the bases. With one out, Bryan Warner hit an infield single. Sobkow slipped on the fielding attempt, throwing wildly to first and allowing Goss to score from second to tie the game 2-2. It also moved Harris to third and Warner to second. After another walk loaded the bases, Josh Patton drew a walk plate Harris and give Lincoln the lead.

Lincoln (24-15, 51-36 overall) made it 5-2 in the sixth before Winnipeg scored in the seventh. In the ninth, Berrios singled, advanced on a hit by pitch and scored on a double by Donnie Ross to send the game into extra innings. Lincoln's Byron Embry took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits in 1/3 of an inning.

Saltdogs Sweep Schaumburg

Lincoln, NE - The Saltdogs closed out a successful ten game homestand with a three game sweep of the Schaumburg Thursday afternoon at Haymarket Park with a 4-1 victory over the Flyers. Lincoln starter Kyle Ruwe (6-1) pitched eight innings to pick up the win, while Jared Hoerman came in to pitch the ninth inning and notched his 14th save of the year. R. J Swindle (5-4) took the loss for Schaumburg.

Schaumburg jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI single by Jouse Lopez. Lopex tried to stretch the single into a double and was thrown out.

Lincoln trailed 1-0 enteriung the bottom of the eighth inning. Jay Yaconetti led off the inning by popping out to the shortstop. Mike Goss then struck out. With two outs in the half inning, Saltdogs designated hitter Bryan Vickers, in his first proefessional game, took a pitch from R. J. Swindle and drove it into left-center fied for a two out double. Gabe Suarez came in to pinch run for Vickers. Cory Harris then walked, to put runners at second and third. Albenis Machado singled home Suarez to tie the game at 1-1.

With runners at second and third, Bryan Warner stepped up to the plate. Warner, the Northern League's RBI leader, belted his 19th home run of the year, a three run home run, into the Schaumburg bullpen to give Lincoln the 4-1 lead. Warner now has 96 RBI's.

Lincoln has now won four straight games and is 51-35 overall and 24-14 in the second half. The Saltdogs remain three and a half games ahead of Gary in the NL's South Division.

Lincoln opens a seven game road trip Friday evening in Winnipeg in game one against the Goldeyes. Humberto Cardenas (4-5) will get the start. Winnipeg will send Phil Sobkow (5-1) to the mound. Game time is 7:05 pm.

#Saltdogs

Saltdogs win in Extra Innings

LINCOLN - Brian Rodaway took a perfect game into the sixth inning on Wednesday night and the Lincoln Saltdogs used three walks in the 11th inning to prevail 3-2 against the Schaumburg Flyers. Although Rodaway didn't factor in the final decision he threw 9 1/3 innings, striking out nine batters and allowing only two runs on three hits. Wes O'Brien (1-1) picked up the win, throwing the final out of the top of the 11th. Blake Williams was charged with the loss after allowing the game winning run in the bottom of the 11th.

Lincoln scored quickly in the first inning of play, taking advantage of a pair of walks to begin the inning. Bryan Warner picked up the first RBI of the night with a single to drive in Cory Harris. Josh Patton also hit an RBI single in the inning, scoring Albenis Machado and giving the Dogs a lead until the sixth inning. Warner's RBI total is now at 93, only 11 shy of the all-time Northern League record of 104 set last year by Mario Delgado.

The only trouble inning for Rodaway was the sixth, where he allowed two runs on a pair of hits. Tim Marks began the inning with a walk and was followed by a Ted Ledbetter single. After a hit batter, Eli Albertson tied the game with a two RBI single.

The game stayed at 2-2 until the bottom of the 11th when the Flyers walked the bases loaded for Josh Patton with one down. Patton hit a ground ball to Oscar Materano at second who tried to start an inning ending double play, but the relay from Geoff McCallum pulled Justin Hendrickson off the bag at first base allowing Patton to reach safely and Harris to score the winning run.

Rodaway's 9 1/3 innings of work is the longest outing ever by a Saltdogs pitcher and he retired the first 15 batters he faced. The Saltdogs reduce their magic number in the South Division to eight with the win and stay 3.5 games ahead of Gary in the divisional race.

Kyle Ruwe (5-1) will try and get the Dogs the sweep on Thursday and he faces-off with R. J. Swindle (5-3) for Schaumburg.

#Saltdogs

Saltdogs take Game #1 with Schaumburg

Lincoln, NE - The Saltdogs scored two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning, which proved to be the difference in the game, as Lincoln defeated the Schaumburg Flyers Tuesday night 3 to 2.

Saltdogs Third Baseman Jay Yaconetti tripled (1) to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning then scored on Mike Goss' RBI single. Goss scored the second Saltdog run in the eighth on an RBI single by Bryan Warner, his league leading 92nd of the year, to close out the scoring.

Lincoln starting pitcher Rodney Myers (10-3) pitched eight innings with no walks and six strike outs to earn the victory. Jared Hoerman picked up his 13th save of the year by pitching the ninth inning. Schaumburg reliever Lyle Prempas (1-5) was tagged with the loss.

Lincoln took the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Cory Harris led off the half-inning with hsi 36th double of the year. Harris advanced to third and score on a double play ball hit by Bryan Warner.

Schaumburg tied the game up in the top of the second inning when Josue Lopez connected on a Rodney Myers fast ball and hit it into the wind and over the right field fence. The home run was Lopez's 14th of the year.

Lincon improves to 49 and 35 overall and 22 and 14 in the second half. The Saltdogs remain in first place in the Northern League's South Division. Schaumburg falls to 34 and 51 overall and 18 and 19 in the second half.

The Saltdogs meet the Flyers in game two of the three game series at Haymarket Park Wednesday night. The first pitch is set for 7:05 pm.

#Saltdogs

Lincoln Saltdogs Join B2 Networks

(Lincoln, NE) - The Lincoln Saltdogs of the Northern League today announced they have formed a partnership with B2 Networks, allowing the network to broadcast all regular season and playoff contests from Haymarket Park.

The first live broadcast via broadband will take place tonight, when the first place Saltdogs host the Schaumburg Flyers at 7:05pm CDT. Lincoln has a 2 1/2 game lead in the race for the South Division title and tonight's game begins a three game set with the 3rd place Flyers. The agreement with B2 will allow Saltdogs fans around the world the opportunity to watch the team try to clinch a postseason berth and all home games during the playoffs.

"It's exciting to offer a new service to our fans and give them the opportunity to watch the Saltdogs try to win a division title," said Saltdogs Vice President and General Manager, Tim Utrup. "As we head into the last few weeks of the season, we are proud to bring Saltdogs baseball to our fans, wherever they may be."

The Saltdogs are the sixth Northern League team to have all home games broadcast worldwide. The Gary RailCats, Joliet Jackhammers, Kansas City T-Bones, St. Paul Saints and Winnipeg Goldeyes have already partnered with B2 Networks. Fans can access the games through the website of those four teams or through the new link on the Northern League's home page - www.northernleague.com. The cost of the game is $6 dollars and can been seen by fans who have high speed internet connection (DSL, Cable or T1) and Windows Media Player 9 or higher.

"This is a big day for B2, as we now are wired into every Northern League stadium that can technically produce a live game broadcast," said Greg P. Bell, B2 Networks Owner and CEO. "If the season ended today, three of our team partners would be in the playoffs. We look forward to broadcasting the exciting stretch run and a great post season."

B2 Networks (b2now.com) is a premier provider of reliable and secure international television and video broadcasting systems, pay-per-view and billing systems. The broadband broadcasting company's network of arenas, stadiums, local venues, billing systems and data centers are currently in use to distribute live events to computer and television screens around the world. In addition, B2 manages and owns the digital distribution rights to distinct areas of entertainment, sports and television. Working with teams from the AHL, UHL, USHL, baseball's Northern League and PCL, B2 has established itself as a leader in innovative direct to home internet and television broadcasting.

#Saltdogs

Saltdogs Even Series with St. Paul

LINCOLN * For the second day in a row, the Lincoln Saltdogs' starting pitching was superb with Ben Fox throwing eight innings of work in the 4-2 victory over the St. Paul Saints. Fox (2-0) allowed only two runs on eight hits with a season high seven strikeouts. Bryan Gaal was saddled with his fourth loss of the season allowing two earned runs and striking out three batters. Jared Hoerman came on in the ninth inning to close out the game and pick up his 12th save of the season.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Lincoln bats took a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Back-to-back singles from Albenis Machado and Bryan Warner paved the way for the first runs of the contest. Pichi Balet reached on an error by first-baseman Billy Munoz and Machado scored on the play. Josh Patton followed with a fielder's choice that scored Warner and gave Lincoln the 2-0 lead.

In the top of the third the Saints broke through on Fox. Mike Forbes reached on a single and was followed by a single from Kris Cox. After Steve Butler was hit by a pitch, Josh Renick picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Forbes. Justin Hall tried to pick up a sac fly of his own, but the strong arm of Bryan Warner threw out Cox at home plate to record the third out and get the Dogs out of the inning.

The Saltdogs used two sacrifices flies in the third and seventh innings by Pichi Balet and Albenis Machado to give their pitching staff a lead they wouldn't give up.

In the top of the seventh, the Saints put some pressure on Fox, with three of the first four batters reaching base. However a strikeout and a good fielding play by Fox ended the St. Paul threat with only one run scored.

After the series split with St. Paul, the Saltdogs will play host to a three-game series with the Schaumburg Flyers. Rodney Myers (9-3) is scheduled to start the first game of the series that starts at 7:05 p.m. at Haymarket Park.

#Saltdogs

Saltdogs Lose a Heartbreaker

LINCOLN * The game got over just before the deluge hit, unfortunately
for the Saltdogs they were on the wrong side of the scoreboard. The St.
Paul Saints used a seven-run ninth inning to defeat the Lincoln Saltdogs
7-4 in a game that finished in 2 hours and 56 minutes just before the
field was flooded by a downpour.

Humberto Cardenas threw a seven-hit shutout through eight innings of
play but only came out of the game with a no-decision. Amad Stephens
picked up the win for the Saints allowing one run in the eighth inning.
Matt Hammons got the save with a one, two, three ninth inning. Jared
Hoerman was charged with the loss and allowed four earned runs.

The Saltdogs got on the board in the second inning when Kevin Sullivan
hit a single and scored off an RBI single by Jay Yaconetti.

Albenis Machado continued the scoring for Lincoln in the third inning
with his seventh homer of the season. Bryan Warner followed with his
26th double of the year for Lincoln. He stole third base and scored on
a sac fly by Pichi Balet to give the Dogs a 3-0 lead.

With the score 4-0 in the top of the ninth, Jared Hoerman came on to
close out the game. He retired the first batter he faced before
allowing a pair of walks and two singles. Josh Renick cleared the bases
with a three RBI double. After an RBI single by Billy Munoz, Byron
Embry came into the game. He allowed a pair of RBI singles before
inducing a line out to end the inning.

The Saltdogs will try to even the series on Monday night with a 7:05
p.m. game. Ben Fox will face Bryan Gaal for St. Paul.

#Saltdogs

Saltdogs Even Series With St. Paul

LINCOLN * Saturday night was controlled by Kyle Ruwe who threw his
second complete game effort in as many starts. The lefty allowed only
one run in nine innings to lead the Lincoln Saltdogs to a 5-1 victory
over the St. Paul Saints on Saturday night. Ruwe improved to 5-1 on the
year and had a career high eight strikeouts on the night. Luis
Villarreal (6-7) took the loss working seven innings and allowing four
earned runs.

The Saltdogs scored first in the bottom of the second inning after a
walk by Kevin Sullivan. Dan Underwood followed with a single and Jay
Yaconetti picked up two RBI's with his fourth double of the year.

The Saints cut the Lincoln lead in the sixth inning when Steve Butler
lead off the inning with a double and a two-out double by T Brown scored
the only run of the night against Ruwe.

Lincoln answered right back scoring three runs in the bottom half of
the frame. Pichi Balet and Josh Patton reached base with one out and
Sullivan cleared the bases with his 10th homer of the year, giving the
Dogs the 6-1 lead.

In the third game of the series, Lincoln will send Humberto Cardenas
(4-5) to the mound against former Saltdog Darren Truty (6-5). The first
pitch is set for 5:05 p.m.

#Saltdogs

Saltdogs Drop Opener to Saints

LINCOLN * The Lincoln Saltdogs couldn't get it done against the St.
Paul Saints on Friday night, leaving 10 men stranded in the 6-3 loss at
Haymarket Park. Brian Rodaway (7-6) took the loss pitching 6 1/3
innings and allowing five earned runs. Mike Meyer (7-6) got the win
with seven strong innings of work, allowing three Saltdog runs. Matt
Hammons came on in the eighth inning and didn't allow a hit to pick up
his 17th save of the season.

The scoring got started in the second inning for the Saints as they
were able to pile four runs on the Lincoln lefty. Billy Munoz and
Jeremy Frost both singled to begin the inning. An RBI single by Mike
Forbes plated the first run of the game and Josh Renick followed with an
RBI single of his own. Justin Hall drove in two more runs with a double
to give St. Paul the early 4-0 lead.

Lincoln started to rally in the third inning, scoring a run. Pichi
Balet started with a double and was driven in by a single off the bat of
Josh Patton. Balet had a strong night going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs
scored. Kevin Sullivan also had a .500 night with a pair of hits and an
RBI.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Dogs tried to fight back down
6-1. Balet reached on a double and Patton also got aboard when he was
hit by a pitch. Kevin Sullivan picked up the RBI with a single to cut
the deficit to four runs. However with the bases loaded the Dogs could
only muster a sacrifice fly to right field as the only other run.

Lincoln and St. Paul will continue their series on Saturday with a 7:05
p.m. match-up. Kyle Ruwe (4-1) will face-off with Luis Villarreal
(6-6).

#Saltdogs

Lincoln Wins Series with Gary

LINCOLN * The Lincoln Saltdogs jumped on Gary pitching in the first inning and never let up scoring 15 runs on Thursday night including four in the first inning to pick up the 15-7 victory and extend their lead to 3.5 games in the Southern Division standings.

Rodney Myers got his ninth win of the year to lead the Saltdogs rotation. He pitched six innings of work and didn't allow a run while striking out three batters. Cody Fisher (0-2) took the loss lasting only 4 1/3 innings and allowing five earned runs.

In the first inning, the Dogs put four runs across. Cory Harris started the inning off with a single and the next two batters got on base for Lincoln. Pichi Balet picked up two of his five RBI's on the night with a single to left-center field. Dan Underwood finished the scoring in the inning with an RBI single.

With the score 7-0 going into the fourth inning, Cory Harris took the first pitch of his at-bat out of the park for his 20th homer of the year. Harris continues to set the Dogs all-time records for most home runs in a season which was 18 before this year. A two-RBI triple by Balet finished the inning for Lincoln giving them a 10-0 lead.

In the top of the eighth Fehlandt Lentini was able to break the Saltdogs' shutout. He reached on an error to begin the inning and Dale Mueller drove him home with an RBI double.

Four more runs were scored by Lincoln in the bottom half of the eighth inning. Kevin Sullivan and Jay Yaconetti both drew walks and scored on RBI's by Cory Harris and Gabe Suarez. Bryan Warner cleared the bases with an RBI double to give the Dogs a total of 15 runs on the night.

Byron Embry came on in the ninth inning to finish the game for Lincoln. He retired two of the first three batters he faces with strikeouts but then allowed the next six runners to reach base, giving Gary a six run inning and resulting in the final score of 15-7.

The Saltdogs continue their 10-game home stand on Friday when they start a four game series with the St. Paul Saints who are tied for second place in the division with the RailCats. First pitch time is set for 7:05 p.m. with Brian Rodaway taking the hill against Mike Meyer.

#Saltdogs

Saltdogs Even Series with Gary

LINCOLN -- The Lincoln Saltdogs final broke through at home against the Gary SouthShore RailCats with a 4-3 victory on Wednesday night. The RailCats were unbeaten at Haymarket Park this year coming into the game. All seven runs came across in the third inning for both teams with Ben Fox picking up the win in his first ever appearance for the Dogs. He went 6 1/3 innings allowing three runs on five hits. Gary starter Jamie Bennett took the loss for only the third time this season going six innings and giving up four runs.

In the top of the third Curt Lee started the Cats with a single. After an Eric McNamee walked, Fehlandt Lentini brought both runs home on a double and he stole home to score the final run of the evening for Gary.

In the bottom half of the frame, Lincoln came right back scoring all the runs they would need. Cory Harris led off the inning with a single, and scored after a pair of singles by Albenis Machado and Bryan Warner drove him in. Pichi Balet then hit a sacrifice fly to shallow right field scoring Machado from third. Dan Underwood cleared the bases later in the inning with a double to make the score 4-3 in favor of the Dogs.

Wes O'Brien and Jared Hoerman combined to throw 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief for Lincoln with Hoerman picking up his 11th save of the year. The Dogs and Cats will play the rubber game of the series on Thursday night with first pitch at 7:05 p.m.

#Saltdogs

'Dogs Lose Series Opener with Gary

LINCOLN, Neb. - The Gary Southshore RailCats pulled within a game and a half of the division leading Lincoln Saltdogs with a 5-2 victory at Haymarket Park on Tuesday night. Mike Schaefer picked up his second win of the season going five innings and allowing one unearned run. Humberto Cardenas was charged with the loss, pitching five innings and letting four runs across the plate. Derek Lopez picked up his 15th save of the year throwing a scoreless ninth.

Gary put the first run on the board in the second inning. Jose Yepez started off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch from Cardenas. After a groundout moved Yepez to third, Jay Pecci picked up the RBI with a bloop single to shallow left field. David Weiner was caught in a run down and was put out by Josh Patton after Yepez scored.

Jose Yepez continued the RailCats scoring in the top of the fourth inning with a solo shot to left field. For Yepez it was his fourth homer of the season and he extended the Hammers' lead to 2-0.

The Saltdogs took advantage of the 15th error of the year by Tanner Townsend to break the shutout by Schaefer in the fourth. With two down, Pichi Balet reached on the error and he came around to score when Josh Patton doubled to the gap in right center field.

The RailCats answered right back in the next half inning scoring two run on four singles in the frame. David Weiner led-off the inning with his first hit of the night and Pecci followed with another single. Eric McNamee picked up the RBI with the third single of the inning. Pecci scored on another single to left field by Steve Hakke.

Lincoln was able to get one run back in the bottom of the sixth when they loaded the bases and chased started Mike Schaefer from the game. However the Dogs were only able to get one run when Jay Yaconetti hit an RBI single to center. Kevin Sullivan was thrown out at home plate on the play to end the Dogs threat.

The last run of the contest came in the eighth inning for the RailCats. Fehlandt Lentini doubled into right field, stole second base and scored on an RBI single by Yepez.

The Saltdogs will send out Rodney Myers (8-3) in the second game of this 10 game home stand against Gary while the RailCats will send Jamie Bennett (9-2) to the hill. Start time is 7:05 p.m.

#Saltdogs

Saltdogs Win KC Series 2-1

LINCOLN, Neb. * The Lincoln Saltdogs used a four run rally in the eighth inning to even the season series with the Kansas City T-Bones on Thursday night. The Dogs were trailing 2-1 going into the eighth, but with the rally in the eighth they were able to pull out the 5-3 victory at Haymarket Park. Rodney Myers picked up his team leading 8th win of the season going eight strong innings, allowing two runs. For the second straight game Wes O'Brien came on in the ninth to pick up the save. Mike Cosgrove was charged with his first loss of the season.

With the win, Lincoln stayed a game ahead of the Schaumburg Flyers for first place in the Southern Division with 21 games to play.

The T-Bones broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning with three hits against Myers. Rafael Rodriguez hit a lead-off double and scored on a single from Ray Brown, his 55th RBI of the year. David Segui followed with an RBI single to center field, scoring Brown and extending the T-Bone lead to 2-0.

Lincoln struck right back in the bottom half of the inning. Three straight singles by Bryan Warner, Pichi Balet and Josh Patton got Lincoln on the score board against Viane. However, the Dogs weren't able to score another run. With runners on first and third with no one out, the next three Dogs were retired in order.

The scored stayed at 2-1 until the eighth inning when the Dogs broke the game open. With one out Albenis Machado doubled off Viane to start the rally. After the at-bat, Mike Cosgrove came in to replace Viane. Cosgrove allowed all three batters he faced to reach base and score two runs before he was relieved by Jonathan Krysa. In all the Dogs scored four runs in the inning to take the 5-2 lead.

In the ninth, the T-Bones challenged Saltdog reliever Wes O'Brien. The first two batters reached base in the inning and Cody Nowlin picked up a pinch-hit RBI single to right field to cut the Dogs' lead to 5-3. However, O'Brien was able to induce a pop-out by Chad Sosebee to finish the game and pick up the save.

The Saltdogs head back on the road for a three-game series with the Joliet JackHammers starting on Friday. Brian Rodaway is scheduled to start the first game of the series.

-30-

Saltdogs Even up KC Series

LINCOLN, Neb. - Albenis Machado and Mike Goss each homered in their second straight game to lift the Lincoln Saltdogs (41-31, 14-10) to a 5-3 victory over the Kansas City T-Bones. Lincoln starter Humberto Cardenas (4-4) picked up the win going 7 1/3 innings and allowing three runs. Jon McDonald fell to 5-4 with the loss for Kansas City (37-34, 10-15).

Lincoln used a lead-off single by Cory Harris to take the early 1-0 against Kansas City. Albenis Machado followed Harris with another single and Harris was able to score after a pair of fielder's choices to give Lincoln their first lead in the series.

The lead didn't last long however as David Segui crushed a 2-1 pitch from Cardenas over the right field wall and out of Haymarket Park for a 2-run homer. It was Segui's fifth round trip of the year and it gave Kansas City the lead at 2-1.

Machado answered Segue in the bottom of the third inning with his second homer in as many nights. This one, his fifth of the season, just cleared the right field fence to tie the game at two.

Goss also made it two home runs in two days against the T-Bones with a bomb that hit off the scoreboard in right field. He homered with Underwood on first base to pick up his 38th and 39th RBIs of the year.

The scoreboard got plunked again in the top of the sixth inning as Greg Jacobs launched a solo shot to right field, bringing K.C. to within one, 4-3, of Lincoln.

The Saltdogs finished the scoring in the game with one run in the sixth frame. Josh Patton hit a one-out single and advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches by McDonald. Kevin Sullivan just missed a home run to the deepest part of Haymarket Park. His shot hit halfway up the wall at the 400 mark in right-center field scoring Patton and giving Sullivan his third triple of the year.

Lincoln extended their lead to a full game in the Southern Division with the win and a Gary loss. The rubber game of the series will take place at 7:05 p.m. at Haymarket Park.

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Saltdogs Lose Game #1 with KC

LINCOLN, Neb. - Both teams started out slow on Tuesday night, but after the second inning the Lincoln Saltdogs and Kansas City T-Bones combined for 14 runs with K.C. coming out on top with a 9-5 victory. Greg Bicknell won his league leading 12th game of the year for the T-Bones while Kyle Ruwe took his first loss of the season. Lincoln fell to 40-31 overall and 13-10 in the second half while Kansas City improved to 37-33 and 10-14 in second half action.

The scoring began in the third inning, with the Dogs breaking through against Bicknell. Dan Underwood started the inning with a triple off the wall in right center field. Mike Goss followed with an RBI double and he came around to score when Bryan Warner hit a bloop single into center field for his 86th RBI of the season to lead the league.

In the top of the next half inning Kansas City struck right back against Lincoln and Ruwe. A pair of singles by Greg Jacobs and Ray Brown started the inning and back-to-back RBIs by Cody Nowlin and Michael Brown knotted the game up at two.

Kansas City pulled ahead in the fifth inning with a solo home run from their nine-hole hitter, Chad Sosebee, his ninth of the season to give the T-Bones the 3-2 lead.

The T-Bones took advantage of an untimely error in the sixth inning to extend their lead. With two down and a runner on first base, Brandon Jones hit a ground ball back to Ruwe who overthrew Pichi Balet at first allowing Nowlin to score from first and give K.C. a 4-2 lead.

When the seventh inning came along, the T-Bones got all the runs they would need to take the first game of the series. After a strikeout to begin the inning, the next four batters reached base in the seventh. An error put Eric Vega on and Jacobs followed with a single. Ray Brown cleared the bases for Kansas City with a two RBI double. Brown had three on the night to bring his RBI total up to 54. David Segui followed in the inning with his first hit of the night, an RBI double scoring Brown. Michael Brown also picked up an RBI in the inning to give K.C. the 8-2 advantage.

Two home runs in the bottom half of the inning kept the Dogs close. Mike Goss hit his third of the year with a runner on base to bring the Dogs within four. Albenis Machado also homered in the inning, a deep shot to right field, to get Lincoln within three runs. It was Machado's fourth homer of the year.

Despite the loss, Lincoln held on to their slim half-game lead in the Southern Division. The Saltdogs are scheduled to send Michael Kesten to the mound in the second game to face-off with Jon McDonald for Kansas City.

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