LINCOLN, Nebraska – John Brownell tossed the ninth shutout of his career, and the Saltdogs beat the Goldeyes 6-0 at Haymarket Park on Wednesday night.
Brownell’s complete game was the 39th of his career, and the 36-year-old allowed just six hits with a pair of walks and five strikeouts. The shutout was Lincoln’s second of the year after Nick Tepesch finished one on June 30th, and the third complete game of the year.
Curt Smith had two more hits and a second home run in as many nights, and Ivan Marin had a two-run single as part of a five-run 4th inning.
Josh Mazzola drew a bases-loaded walk to open the scoring in the 4th, and Tyler Moore singled in another run right after. After Marin made it 4-0 with his two-run single, Christian Ibarra singled in one more to finish the inning.
The ‘Dogs added another run on Curt Smith’s ninth homer of the year in the 5th – a solo shot with two outs in the inning.
Smith now has hits in eight consecutive games, which ties the ‘Dogs season high and is Smith’s best run in 2019. Ibarra walked two more times, and Mazzola had a pair of walks to go with a double to make it hits in four consecutive games to begin his ‘Dogs tenure.
Brownell has combined with Shairon Martis to toss 15.2 innings, allowing just one earned run on seven hits.
Lincoln has a shot to sweep a series for the second time this season. First-pitch time on Friday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 p.m. on ESPN Lincoln 101.5 FM/1480 AM.
The Saltdogs are playing their 19th season in Lincoln. All ticket and promo information can be found at saltdogs.com, and follow the ‘Dogs on Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball.