LINCOLN –The Saltdogs opened up their exhibition schedule Thursday night at Haymarket Park with a 6-2 loss against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.
Lincoln got great starting pitching from its projected top two hurlers in the rotation, as LHP Jino Gonzalez dealt two perfect frames and LHP Tommy Palica tossed two scoreless.
DH C.J. Beatty launched a solo home run into the visitor’s bullpen in the bottom of the ninth to bring the game its final score.
3B Leivi Ventura clubbed an RBI double to left center in the bottom of the fourth, scoring RF Stephen Holdren to tie the game at 1-1.
Fargo-Moorhead responded with two in the seventh and three more in the eighth to pull away.
CF Mike Provencher and LF Asif Shah each hit a double for the Saltdogs.
Lincoln will play a morning game against Fargo-Moorhead Friday, then finish up its home exhibition schedule with a game Saturday at 5 p.m. at Levitt Stadium in York.
The Saltdogs open the 2012 campaign May 17 at Wichita with the home opener at Haymarket Park May 23 against Sioux City. Get your Saltdogs Five Pack (five lower-box tickets for just $50!) now by calling 402-474-BALL or by visiting www.saltdogs.com.