LINCOLN, Nebraska – Nick Tepesch gave up three runs over 7.1 innings, but the ‘Dogs were shutout for a second time this year in a 4-0 loss to the Texas AirHogs before 7,887 fans at Haymarket Park on Saturday night.
Tepesch received his first loss of the year after he gave up a pair of runs in the 7th inning and one more in the 8th. He’s now factored into the decision in each of his first five starts, and have up four hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in what was his longest start of the year.
The crowd was just shy of the franchise record 7,979 who watched a game against Duluth-Superior on June 23, 2001 – the club’s inaugural season.
The ‘Hogs opened the scoring when Luo Jinjun singled in Brett Eibner with two outs in the 7th, and Yang Jin followed him up with an RBI single of his own.
The AirHogs added to the lead with two runs in the 8th after Jonathan Moroney drove in a run with a fielder’s choice and Stewart Ijames eventually scored on a wild pitch.
The ‘Dogs had just four hits in the game: Cody Regis extended his league-best on-base streak to 22 with a walk and a single, while DonAndre Clark, Christian Ibarra and John Sansone also had singles. Lincoln didn’t have an extra-base hit, and the ‘Dogs didn’t advance a runner into scoring position beyond the 4th inning – when Daniel Herrera hit a line drive right to the first baseman with two outs and runners on the corners.
Tyler Anderson walked the only batter he faced and was pegged with a run, while Austin Pettibone had 0.2 scoreless innings and Jake Hohensee had a 1-2-3 9th.
The ‘Dogs and AirHogs wrap up the four-game series at Haymarket Park on Sunday evening. First pitch time is set for 5:05 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.