WICHITA, Kan. — Despite a big night from Mike Coles, the Saltdogs (32-27) were bested 4-3 by the red-hot Wichita Wingnuts (41-18) in front of 2,632 fans at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium Thursday night.
Coles went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, a stolen base and a two-run homer that gave Lincoln a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth. The advantage was short lived however, as the Wingnuts plated a pair of two-out runs to take a 4-3 lead through the five.
Justin Klipp (4-1) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out six and walking none to earn the win. Stephen Bougher (2-3) went seven, allowing four runs on six hits to suffer the loss.
Yasel Gomez went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run in the losing effort.
The Wingnuts have now won 13 consecutive games, and are two shy of matching the American Association record.
The clubs are back at it Friday night at 7:05 p.m. for game two of a four-game series. Travis Parker (0-1, 6.34) will face Junior Guerra (6-1, 3.39). Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.