LINCOLN — John Alonso came within feet of a game-tying home run in the bottom of the 10th in his Saltdogs (17-25) return, but Spiker Helms made a great grab against the left field fence to preserve a 3-1 Kansas City T-Bones (24-20) victory in front of 4,366 fans at Haymarket Park Monday night.
The T-Bones took their first lead of the game in the top of the 10th on a Trevor Coleman double to the opposite field power alley. Two wild pitches later, Coleman came in to score to make it 3-1.
Alonso’s deep fly ball wasn’t the only close encounter in the late innings, as A.J. Miller launched a high, deep drive to right in the bottom of the ninth that was neutralized by the breeze and caught at the warning track.
Steve Kent (2-2) pitched two perfect innings in relief, striking out four to earn the win. Pete Parise (4-3) worked three innings out of the bullpen, allowing two runs on four hits while fanning five to suffer the loss. Mike Mehlich tossed a scoreless 10th to notch his second save.
The Saltdogs opened the game’s scoring in the bottom of the third on a double steal in which Mike Provencher took second, then Joe Spiers came in to score.
Justin Edwards pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out four and walking two. His counterpart, Brian Grening, went seven as well, allowing one on six hits while punching out seven.
Lincoln heads to St. Paul Tuesday to finish the suspended game from June 20th at 6:00 p.m. at Midway Stadium. Then, following a forty minute break, will open up the regularly scheduled four-game set. Radio coverage begins at 6 p.m. on KFOR 1240.