The Lincoln Saltdogs dropped a close decision Wednesday, losing 4-3 to the Sioux City Explorers.  Lincoln drops to 2-6 on the second half of the season.

The Explorers turned the game around in the seventh inning, against Lincoln reliever Matt Reilly (1-3).  Derek Schermerhorn doubled with one out, and took third when right fielder Deacon Burns bobbled the ball for an error.  Dustin Jones then hit a pop-fly single with the infield drawn in to tie the game.  Nick McCoola followed with a single, the runners pulled off a double steal, and Alex Llanos hit a sacrifice fly to give the X’s the lead for good.

The rally wasted a solid effort by Lincoln starter Jim Paduch, who allowed just two runs on three hits in 5.1 innings of work.  Sioux City touched him for two runs in the second inning, but Phil Hawke tied the game in the top of the third with a two-run homer, his ninth of the season.  The game stayed tied until the top of the sixth, when Hawke hit a bases-loaded single to give the Saltdogs a 3-2 lead.  Lincoln left the bases loaded in the frame, however, and stranded 11 men on base for the night.

Hawke ended the night 4-for-5 with three RBI, while Pichi Balet went 2-for-5.  On the mound, Adam Daniels had a great relief outing, entering with runners on first and second and one out in the sixth inning and striking out two men on six pitches.

The two teams play the finale of their three-game series Thursday night at 7:05.  Righty Jarrett Gardner will make the start for Lincoln.

The next Saltdogs homestand begins on July 17. For more team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com.