SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Curt Smith collected three hits but the Saltdogs (8-16) stranded a season-high 13 runners in a 9-1 loss at division-leading Sioux City Explorers (17-6) in front of 2,656 fans at Lewis and Clark Park Monday night.
Sioux City scored three quick runs in the first and plated five more – aided by three Lincoln errors – in the third to jump out to an 8-0 advantage.
Jon Gaston, Jeremy Hamilton, Ryan Lashley and the league’s leading hitter Mitch Canham – who extended his hit streak to 14 games – all turned in multi-hit performances in the loss.
Dustin Loggins (2-2) lasted six innings, allowing one run on seven hits while walking five and striking out five to earn the win. Shairon Martis (1-1) went five innings, surrendering nine runs – seven earned – on 11 hits to take the loss.
The Saltdogs stranded a season-high 13 runners, including nine in scoring position and four on third base.
The ‘Dogs tallied their lone run on debuting professional Steve Pascaul’s groundout in the top of the sixth. Lincoln is now 1-7 in series openers.
The clubs play the second of the four-game series Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Luis Chirinos (2-2, 7.36) is set to face RHP Ryan Zimmerman (2-1, 3.91). Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.