The Lincoln Saltdogs came up just short against Sioux Falls on Friday, falling 5-4 at Haymarket Park.  Lincoln drops to 37-29 on the season, 8-10 in the second half.

With the game tied at four in the top of the ninth, Sioux Falls’ Gus Milner hit a one-out triple against Lincoln reliever Nolan Chestnut (2-1).  Chestnut then uncorked a wild pitch, bringing home Milner with what proved to be the winning run—the second night in a row that the Saltdogs lost on a run that scored via a wild pitch in the ninth.  Aaron Cotter pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth for the Pheasants to pick up his 17th save.

The game began as a great pitchers’ duel between Lincoln starter John James and Sioux Falls starter Travis Kane.  James made his only mistake in the second inning, giving up a double, a walk and then a three-run home run to Hunter Jobes.  Argelis Nunez answered in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run, and the game stayed at 3-1 until the sixth.  Kane walked the first two men in the inning, and was replaced by reliever Ryan Grant.  Nunez hit the first pitch from Grant over the wall in left for a three-run homer, giving the Saltdogs a brief 4-3 lead.  Sioux Falls, though, tied it the seventh on a two-out double and an RBI single.

Nunez finished the game 2-for-4 with two home runs, his 14th and 15th of the season, and four RBI.  Lincoln managed only three other hits on the night, although they did draw six walks.

The two teams play game two of their three-game home series Saturday night at 7:05pm.  Right-hander Nick Tyson will take the mound for the Saltdogs.

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