The Lincoln Saltdogs took three games out of four from Sioux City, winning 10-5 on Monday.  Lincoln improves to 36-26, 7-7 in the second half.

The Saltdogs jumped all over Sioux City starter Ty Marotz (4-3) early, scoring seven runs in the first two innings.  Phil Hawke started the scoring with a two-run home run in the first inning, and Lincoln erupted in the second for five more runs.  After the ’Dogs loaded the bases with nobody out, Vance Albitz singled to right for his first professional RBI.  One out later, Rafael Alvarez hit a slow roller to short that was thrown away for a two-run error.  Hawke followed with a sacrifice fly, and Argelis Nunez capped the scoring in the frame with an RBI single.

Sioux City, however, fought back against new Lincoln starter Nick Tyson.  The Explorers plated a pair of runs in the third, and then chased Tyson in the fifth with three more runs to make it 7-5.  Nolan Chestnut, however, came on in relief to get the Saltdogs out of the inning with the lead, and Adam Daniels (6-1) pitched two innings of relief to earn his sixth win.

Lincoln finally put the game away with three more runs in the eighth.  Albenis Machado cracked a two-run double, and Gavin Dickey added an RBI double to put the Saltdogs up 10-5.  Chris Thompson pitched a scoreless ninth in a non-save situation to finish off the victory.

Hawke ended the night 2-for-3 with his eighth home run and three RBI.  Dickey went 2-for-5 with his RBI, while Pat Trettel was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.

Lincoln heads home to open a three-game series against Wichita that begins Tuesday night at 7:05pm.  Right-hander Chris Cullen will make the start for the Saltdogs.

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