LINCOLN — Matt Chavez hoisted two opposite field homers to lead the Wichita Wingnuts (45-26) to a 4-1 victory over the Saltdogs (40-31) in front of 4,236 fans at Haymarket Park Saturday night.
Chavez whacked a two-out, two-run homer onto the batting cage netting in the visitor’s bullpen in the top of the first.
After a two-out solo shot from Brennan Salgado in the second, Chavez smacked deposited another long ball into the Wichita bullpen to lead off the sixth.
Austin Darby robbed a potential home run from Salgado to end the sixth inning.
The Saltdogs outhit Wichita 10-8, and for the third straight night the team with the most hits lost the game.
Lincoln scored its run on a Curt Smith sacrifice fly in the first after Robby Kuzdale began the frame with a double down the line.
The Saltdogs loaded the bases with one out in the seventh but Wichita starter Alex Boshers got out of the jam.
Kuzdale finished the night 3-for-5 with a run.
Ryan Davis, Brad Orosey and Kuo Hua Lo combined to pitch three innings of no-hit relief.
The first-place Saltdogs wrap up the home stand Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. RHP Lindsey Caughel is expected to face RHP Eddie Medina. Radio coverage begins at 4:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.