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