LINCOLN, Nebraska – Garett Delano allowed two runs over six innings, but Lincoln allowed two 9th-inning runs in a 5-3 loss the Chicago Dogs at Haymarket Park on Wednesday afternoon.
Delano picked up his second quality start of the season, allowing just four hits with one walk and eight strikeouts, but Brandon Cunniff allowed a pair of two-out RBI singles in the 9th inning and the ‘Dogs (13-9) lost for only the second time at Haymarket Park this year.
Chicago (16-7) took the lead on a two-out, two-run homer from Trent Bauer in the 2nd inning, and Skyler Weber then made it a one-run game with an RBI groundout in the bottom-half.
Lincoln tied the game when J.R. DiSarcina hit a sacrifice fly that scored Justin Byrd in the 7th.
Chicago regained the lead on a sac fly from Harrison Smith in the top of the 8th, and Ryan Long’s RBI single tied the game in the bottom-half.
Chicago took the lead for good with back-to-back two-out singles from Cosimo Cannella and Charlie Tilson in the 9th. The bases were loaded when Cunniff struck out Connor Kopach for the second out before the go-ahead single from Cannella.
Long returned to the lineup after missing a week with injury, while the ‘Dogs saw the return of Matt Goodheart as a pinch-hitter in the 8th – his first game since picking up an injury in Kansas City last week.
The rubber match between the two is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Thursday night, and pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 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.