LINCOLN, Nebraska – Josh Altmann tied the game with an RBI double, but the Saltdogs allowed three home runs in a 6-2 loss to the Sioux Falls Canaries at Haymarket Park on Saturday night.
Altmann’s double scored Justin Byrd and tied the game at two in the fifth, but Cole Pengilly hit a three-run homer in the sixth and Gavin LaValley homered in the eighth. The Canaries evened the series after the ‘Dogs won 5-1 on Friday night.
Ryan Long worked a bases-loaded walk to open the scoring in the second inning – his second RBI in as many games – before Zane Gurwitz gave the Canaries their first lead of the year with a two-run homer off of Buddy Baumann.
Baumann allowed two runs over five innings with two walks and seven strikeouts in his first start since 2019, while Sam Bragg allowed three runs on two hits in one inning.
Jonathan Cheshire allowed a run in his ‘Dogs debut, while Jesse Stallings and Garett Delano tossed scoreless innings in their first outings of 2022.
Justin Byrd reached four times on two singles and two walks, while Randy Norris and JR DiSarcina both collected hits in their second consecutive games, while Hunter Clanin went 1-for-4 in his second game of the year.
The ‘Dogs fell short of a chance to start 2-0 in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history, but Lincoln still has wins in nine of the last 12 games against Sioux Falls.
The teams will play a rubber match on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m., and pregame coverage begins at 12:35 on ESPN Lincoln.