GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — The Saltdogs (22-24) scored two runs in the seventh, two in the ninth to tie the game and three in the 11th to take down the Grand Prairie AirHogs (18-29) 9-7 in 11 innings on Independence Day at QuikTrip Park.
With two on and two out in the top of the ninth, Brian Joynt grounded a single to right field, scoring Chad Mozingo and pinch runner Leo Vargas to knot the game at 6-6.
After the Saltdogs threw out a runner at the plate on an attempted safety squeeze, and a runner at third on a wild pitch, in the bottom of the tenth, they took the lead on a Kevin Howard two-run single in the 11th.
Omar Luna then added a run-scoring single to give Lincoln a 9-6 lead.
Marshall Schuler (2-4) pitched two innings of relief, allowing a run to pick up the win. Tobin Mateychick (0-1) allowed three runs, two earned, in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Joynt finished the night 2-for-3 with three RBi, extending his hit streak to 10 games. Howard went 1-for-6 with two RBI to push his streak to 10 as well.
The Saltdogs are now in second place in the central division, and 4-1 in extra-inning contests.
The clubs play game two of the three-game series Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.
The Saltdogs return home to Haymarket Park Monday, July 7 to take on Laredo at 7:05 p.m. Come out to the yard for Bark in the Park featuring Wachal Wiener Dog Nationals! Stop by the Home Run Terrace for "Yappy Hour" at 6 p.m. and enjoy $2 hot dogs and $2 Blue Blood Brewing Co. "6-4-3 Double Play Pilsner" on draft. Get your tickets now atwww.saltdogs.com.