JOPLIN, Mo. — Casey Barnes delivered seven shutout innings as the Saltdogs (24-22) dispatched the Joplin Blasters (14-31) 4-1 in front of 502 fans at Joe Becker Stadium Thursday night.
Barnes (2-3) yielded just five hits and three walks with four strikeouts for his first victory as a Saltdog.
The Saltdogs jumped in front in the third inning on a Brandon Jacobs two-out RBI single. Jacobs finished the game 3-for-5.
Robby Kuzdale worked a walk, stole second and third then scored on a Rene Leveret sacrifice fly to make it 2-0 in the seventh.
After the Blasters tallied a run in the eighth, Lincoln responded with a Curt Smith two-run single in the ninth.
Smith has now collected seven hits and driven in six runs over the last two days.
Evan Reed pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts for his 11th save.
The Saltdogs stranded 11 runners on base, and have left 31 aboard in the last 23 innings.
Joplin has now lost 11 consecutive games.
The series continues Friday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Ryan O’Sullivan is expected to face LHP Alberto Castillo. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.
The 5th Annual Haymarket Park Beer Fest is Saturday, July 30. Visit haymarketparkbeerfest.com for more information.