LINCOLN SALTDOGS GAME REPORT
Saturday, May 27, 2006 at Haymarket Park, Lincoln, Neb.
Final Score
Sioux Falls (4-11) 000 000 100 1- 3- 0/ 2 LOB
@ Lincoln (12-3) 200 000 00x 2- 7- 0/ 7 LOB
WP—Brian Rodaway (1-0)
LP—Peter Bauer (0-1)
SV—Jerrod Fuell (4)
HR—Abner Arroyo, SF (3)
Time: 2:11
Attendance: 4,262
SALTDOGS IMPROVE TO 12-3 WITH A 2-1 WIN OVER SIOUX FALLS
Lincoln’s offense managed just seven hits and two runs Saturday night against Sioux Falls but it turned out to be enough as the Saltdogs pitching staff overwhelmed the Canaries for a 2-1 victory. The Dogs have now taken the first two games in the series and improved to 12-3 on the year with their fifth-straight win. Sioux Falls fell to 4-11.
The Saltdogs scored their two runs with two outs in the bottom of the first inning. With Jose Torres, who had been hit by a pitch, at second base and Pichi Balet aboard at first after a walk, Josh Patton hit a line drive to centerfield. Looking into the setting sun, Edgard Clemente lost the battle with the elements and had the ball deflect off his glove for what was ruled as a double. Torres and Balet both scored on the play giving Lincoln a 2-0 lead. The Dogs’ only other scoring threat came in the fifth when they loaded the bases but failed to score.
As it turned out, the Saltdogs’ pitching staff had more than enough muscle to carry the load against the Canaries. Lincoln native Brian Rodaway was stellar in his 2006 debut pitching five innings and giving up a hit and a walk while striking out five. Jarrett Gardner entered in the sixth and in three innings of work he struck out seven. Gardner did give up a home run to Abner Arroyo in the midst of the fireworks in the top of the seventh. With one out, he struck out Edgard Clemente, who angrily disputed the call with home plate umpire Bobby Entrekin. Clemente was immediately ejected and was Sioux Falls manager Mike Pinto.
It turned out to be a critical ejection for the Canaries. In the ninth, the Birds got the tying run to second base with two outs but had to rely upon Clemente’s replacement, backup catcher David Hoffman to try and bring him in. But Saltdog closer Jerrod Fuell got him to pop out to first to end the threat and the game. For Fuell, it was his fourth save of the season. Rodaway picked up the win as Lincoln’s staff ERA dropped below three runs per game.
The Lincoln-Sioux Falls series and the Saltdogs’ six-game home stand wrap up on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. LHP Roger Lincoln (1-1, 2.00), who picked up the win in the home opener against Sioux City last Tuesday, will start for the Saltdogs. Sioux Falls will counter with Evan Greusel (0-1, 10.57). After that, the Dogs will have Monday off before beginning a six-game road trip to St. Joseph and to South Dakota to take on the Canaries.
One roster note, Lincoln has added former Pensacola infielder Ryan Priddy to the roster. Michael Pierre has been released.
www.saltdogs.com
