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.

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