JOPLIN, Mo. — Curt Smith went deep twice, Brandon Jacob once as the first-place Saltdogs (43-38) out-slugged the Joplin Blasters (29-52) 8-5 at Joe Becker Stadium Tuesday night.
Smith swatted an opposite-field, three-run homer in the first, and a two-run laser in the third. The international star now has a career-high 14 home runs.
Jacobs cranked a three-run homer in the seventh, his seventh in the last month, which proved to be the difference.
Geraldo Valentin and Brandon Tierney each went deep in the early innings for Joplin.
The Saltdogs have now won six straight in Joplin, and remain in a share of the Central lead with Sioux City, with 19 games remaining.
J.R. Bunda (2-0) pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn his second win in his second night in a Lincoln uniform.
Brad Orosey allowed a run but struck out the side with the tying run at the plate to end the game.
Tyler Urps went 1-for-3 to extend his hit streak to 13 games.
Lincoln looks to clinch the series Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Shairon Martis is expected to face RHP Mario Morales. Radio coverage starts at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.
Join us at Haymarket Park for Baseball & BBQ Saturday, August 27! For more information please visit saltdogs.com/bbq.