SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota – Kyle Kinman tossed 5.1 scoreless innings, Yanio Perez homered for a second straight game, and the Saltdogs finished off a sweep with a 6-3 win over the Sioux Falls Canaries at Sioux Falls Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Kinman struck out eight and allowed just three hits with five walks in his 10th start, lowering his ERA to 2.61 as the ‘Dogs won their season-high fourth consecutive game.
The ‘Dogs took a 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning after Josh Altmann doubled in Justin Byrd, and Curt Smith later singled in Altmann.
Lincoln (28-27) scored twice more in the 6th, when Forrestt Allday drove in two with a one-out single. The ‘Dogs made it 6-0 after Curt Smith eventually scored on a wild pitch following his franchise-record 142nd double, and Perez hit a solo homer shortly thereafter.
Sioux Falls (21-34) scored an unearned run in the 7th and an earned run in the 8th, but James Pugliese came on with the tying run at the plate and retired the final two hitters for his league-leading 15th save.
Perez went 4-for-5 with a double, homer and two singles, while Curt Smith went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks and an RBI.
Josh Altmann extended his on-base streak to 26, while Justin Byrd extended his hitting streak to six. Ryan Long went 1-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to six, while David Vidal had two more hits and finished the three-game set with three multi-hit games.
The ‘Dogs are back over .500 for the first time since July 2nd, and Lincoln will finish the night no further than 3.5 games back of the second and final playoff spot in the South Division.
Lincoln has Monday off before opening a three-game series against the Kansas City Monarchs at Haymarket Park on Tuesday night. First pitch time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 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.