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