LINCOLN, Nebraska – Yanio Perez had a double, homer and five RBIs, and the Lincoln Saltdogs beat the Houston Apollos 18-7 to open the four-game series on Friday night at Haymarket Park.
Perez hit one of Lincoln’s five homers and finished a triple shy of the cycle, while the ‘Dogs scored 13 runs over the first two innings after Houston took a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st.
Lincoln (52-45) scored seven in the first, including Perez’s two-run single to give the ‘Dogs a 3-2 lead. The ‘Dogs sent 10 men to the plate in the 1st and 2nd innings, scoring seven in the opening frame and six in the 7th.
The ‘Dogs hit a season-high five homers. Edgar Corcino’s two-run blast came in the 1st, and Josh Altmann hit his 26th – one shy of tying Ian Gac’s single-season franchise record set back in 2014. Perez homered later in the 2nd inning, and Skyler Weber hit his 9th homer of the year in the 4th. David Vidal hit his 15th homer – a two-run shot – in the 7th inning.
Lincoln tied a season-high 18 runs and finished with 19 hits – one shy of their season high. Eight Saltdogs record multiple hits, and six ‘Dogs scored multiple runs.
Ben Wereski allowed seven runs over a season-high seven innings, while Carter Hope went 1-2-3 in the 8th and Tyler Anderson tossed a scoreless 9th.
Perez finished with five RBIs and Corcino had three, while Vidal had his team-leading 32nd multi-hit game of the year.
The ‘Dogs now sit with a magic number of three after the Sioux City Explorers beat Sioux Falls on Friday night. Any combination of Lincoln wins and X’s losses totaling three will give Lincoln its first playoff berth since 2017.
There is no game Saturday because of Nebraska’s home game against Fordham, and the ‘Dogs and Apollos will continue the series with a seven-inning doubleheader starting at 1:35 p.m. on Sunday. Pregame coverage will begin at 1:05 p.m. on ESPN Lincoln 101.5 FM/1480 AM.
The Saltdogs are celebrating their 20th season at Haymarket Park this season! All ticket and promotional information can be viewed at saltdogs.com.