LINCOLN — After the Saltdogs (25-41) scored six straight, Amarillo Thunderheads (30-37) answered with eight in a row to pull away 10-6 and even the series in front of 4,655 fans at Haymarket Park Sunday evening.
After Curt Smith’s two-run homer in the fifth extended Lincoln’s lead to 6-2, Amarillo scored five runs in the top of the sixth, taking the lead on a Christian Ibarra two-run home run.
Juan Martinez added a solo shot in the seventh and Amarillo tacked on two more for good measure in the ninth.
The Saltdogs scored six unanswered runs after Amarillo jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.
Matt McCormick (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief to get the win. Zac Westcott (3-2) allowed three runs in 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen to suffer the loss.
Brian Joynt whacked a three-run homer to give Lincoln a 4-2 lead in the fourth.
Ibarra and Martinez each finished a hit away from the cycle and the Thunderheads have racked up 29 hits in the series’ first two contests.
The rubber match is Monday night at 6:35 p.m. RHP Shairon Martis is expected to pitch for the Saltdogs against LHP Austin Kirk. Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.