SIOUX CITY, IA – The Sioux City Explorers notched 13 of their 14 hits over three innings and used the outbursts to beat the Lincoln Saltdogs 11-3 at Mercy Field Friday night.
The Saltdogs’ (27-25) losing streak extends to a season-high four games. Lincoln has lost its last six South Division games.
The X’s (39-13) got to Lincoln starter Mike Tamburino in the second inning. Jose Sermo drew a one-out walk to start the streak. The next four batters recorded hits to drive in three runs before a passed ball allowed another to score and give Sioux City a 4-0 lead.
The third inning looked similar. Jay Austin started the frame with a single. Then, Nate Samson, Sermo and Jay Baum all collected hits in the next three at bats to stretch the X’s lead to seven runs.
Meanwhile, the Saltdogs offense was stuck. The first two batters reached in three different inning but Lincoln was unable to tally any runs. They capitalized on leadoff runners in the seventh. T.J. Bennett, Angel Reyes and Dashenko Ricardo all registered hits to score the first run. Later, Christian Ibarra knocked another run in with a single to make it 7-2.
The third big inning for Sioux City came in the bottom of the seventh. Samson, Sermo, Baum and Dexture McCall all recorded consecutive hits to plate another run. Next, Daniel Jackson blooped a single to left-center field and three runs scored following a collision in the outfield.
Lincoln tallied the final run in the top of the eighth. Bennett and Angel Reyes each walked before Ricardo fired an RBI single to make it 11-3.
The Saltdogs take on the Explorers for game two on Saturday night. First pitch is at 7:05 PM with coverage beginning at 6:35 PM on ESPN 101.5 FM 1480 AM and http://www.espn1480.com/lincoln-saltdogs-baseball/.
For more information on the Saltdogs, follow the team on Facebook and Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball. For ticket information visit https://saltdogs.com/tickets/ or call (402) 474-2255.