The Lincoln Saltdogs claimed their 500th win in franchise history on Thursday, beating Sioux City 14-10.  Lincoln improves to 30-21 on the season, 1-2 in the second half.

The Saltdogs jumped all over Sioux City starter Jae Jung (5-4) early, scoring seven runs in the first two innings.  Phil Hawke started the scoring with a three-run double in the first inning.  In the second, Juan Richardson hit an RBI single, Hawke added a two-run double and Pat Trettel cracked an RBI hit of his own.

Sioux City got a run back in the second, but Lincoln took advantage of four Sioux City errors in the top of the fifth to score five more runs.  Gavin Dickey had an RBI single in the frame, while Rafael Alvarez had a two-run single and Argelis Nunez also added a run-scoring hit.  The Explorers ended up committing seven errors in the contest, setting a new American Association record.  The early offensive outburst was more than enough for rookie starter John James (1-0), who allowed three runs in the fifth but lasted long enough to earn the win in his professional debut.

The Explorers, though, refused to go quietly.  Lincoln added a run in the sixth to take a 13-4 lead, but Sioux City scored four in the bottom of the sixth to close the gap to five.  The Saltdogs tacked on another insurance run in the seventh, but a pair of X’s runs in the bottom of the eighth made the score 14-10.  Sioux City would get no closer, though, as ’Dogs closer Chris Thompson pitched the final two innings in a non-save situation to preserve the victory.

Hawke ended the night 2-for-4 with two doubles, two walks, two runs scored and five RBI.  Dickey finished the night 4-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored, while Richardson and Trettel both had two-hit nights for Lincoln.

Lincoln now heads home to take on Sioux Falls in a four-game series that begins Friday night at 7:05pm.

For more team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com.