LINCOLN, Nebraska – Matt Goodheart drove in two runs on a single and a double, but the Saltdogs couldn’t overcome an early deficit in a 4-2 loss to the Sioux City Explorers at Haymarket Park on Monday night,
Sioux City (22-32) opened the scoring with three runs in the 1st inning. Trey Martin had an RBI single before Ademar Rifaela added a two-out, two-run double.
Greg Minier answered the double by retiring then next 15 hitters, and Lincoln (26-30) had an RBI single from Goodheart in the 1st before an RBI double made it 3-2 in the 3rd inning.
Minier allowed an RBI single to Blake Tiberi in the 7th and the ‘Dogs lost a fifth consecutive game for the first time this season.
Minier allowed four runs over seven innings, with no walks and seven strikeouts. Jonathan Cheshire tossed two scoreless innings of relief, retiring all six hitters he faced.
The Saltdogs stranded two runners in the 5th inning, and had just one baserunner in the final four innings. Zach Hedges allowed two runs over six innings, while Brandon Broshers tossed two scoreless innings and Thomas McIlraith went 1-2-3 with two strikeouts in the 9th inning for his 11th save.
The series continues with a doubleheader on Tuesday. First pitch of Game 1 is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., and Game 2 will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.
Fans can watch coverage of both games on AABaseball.TV, and radio coverage will begin at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN Lincoln 101.5 FM/1480 AM.
The Saltdogs are playing their 21st season in Lincoln! Visit saltdogs.com and follow us @saltdogsball on all social media for information regarding tickets and promotions all season long.