ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Saltdogs (18-27) offense erupted late, overcoming a seven-run deficit to edge the St. Paul Saints (21-22) 15-14 in 10 innings on a sweltering Independence Day afternoon at Midway Stadium.
A.J. Miller hit the go-ahead solo home run to center in the top of the 10th, which proved to be the game-winning blast.
Lincoln scored four runs in each the eighth and ninth innings to take their first lead since the third inning. John Alonso capped the rally in the ninth with a go-ahead two-out, two-run homer to left, before the Saints tied the game at 14-14 in the bottom of the ninth.
The ‘Dogs scored a season-high 15 runs on a season-high 26 hits in the longest game of the campaign (4 hours, 11 minutes) on the hottest day of the summer (114 degree heat index at first pitch).
Every starter on both teams had at least one hit. Alonso finished 5-for-7 with two runs and five RBI. Stephen Holdren went 3-for-6 with a two-run homer. Asif Shah went 4-for-4 with two doubles and two runs. Shah has only been retired twice in 11 plate appearances so far this series.
P.J. Zocchi (1-1) blew the save but earned the win; pitching two innings, while allowing a run on two hits with two strikeouts. Reid Mahon (2-4) allowed a run on three hits in one innings to take the loss.
The clubs combined for 29 runs on 46 hits with seven errors.
The teams meet again Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. for game three of the four-game series. Wade Mackey (3-0, 3.68) will toe the slab for the ‘Dogs against Todd Mathison (0-1, 8.31). Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.