AMARILLO, Texas — The bats looked good, the pitching and defense were another story as the Saltdogs (4-5) got drubbed 16-8 by the Amarillo Thunderheads (5-4) at Potter County Memorial Stadium Saturday.
Lincoln took a 3-0 lead heading into the third inning before Amarillo responded by scoring the game’s next 10 runs, including a six-run fifth.
The ‘Dogs started to come back with three runs in the sixth to make it 10-6 but the Thunderheads promptly answered with two in the bottom of the inning.
Matt Larkins (3-0) pitched five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits to earn the win. Zachary Varce (0-1) yielded nine runs – six earned – in 4 1/3 frames to suffer the loss.
Six different Lincoln hitters had multi-hit performances, led by Mitch Canham and Brian Joynt who each had three hits. Canham finished 3-for-5 a double, run and two RBI. Eddie Young went 2-for-2 with a double, walk, sacrifice fly and is now 9-for-14 on the season.
The Saltdogs whacked a season-high 16 hits but also committed a season-high five errors.
Lincoln looks to avoid the three-game sweep Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. RHP Luis Chirinos (1-0, 1.80) is slated to pitch against LHP Clayton Tanner (0-1, 3.97). Radio coverage begins at 1:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.
The Saltdogs return home to Haymarket Park Friday, June 5 against Wichita for the year’s first FIREWORKS FRIDAY! Get your tickets now at www.saltdogs.com or by calling 402-474-2255.