SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Josh Altmann had two doubles to extend his hitting streak to six games, but the Saltdogs fell to the Sioux City Explorers 16-3 in the opener of a three-game series at Mercy Field on Tuesday night.
Sioux City (38-42) opened the scoring on a three-run homer from Danry Vasquez in the 3rd inning. Ademar Rifaela hit a two-run homer in 4th, and two RBI singles made it 7-0 in the 5th inning.
Lincoln (37-45) got on the board with Matt Goodheart’s RBI groundout in the 7th, but the Explorers answered with nine in the bottom-half of the inning.
Dylan Kelly had an RBI single before Nate Samson drew a bases-loaded walk. Blake Tiberi had an RBI single before Samson eventually scored on a wild pitch. After Tiberi scored on an error by Luke Roskam, Sebastian Zawada’s three-run homer made it 16-1.
The Saltdogs got two runs back in the 9th. Roskam hit an RBI single before Hunter Clanin scored on a wild pitch.
Greg Minier allowed a season-high seven runs over five innings. Carson Lance allowed five runs on one hit and six walks in 1 and 1/3 innings, and Josh Norwood allowed four runs in 2/3 of an inning. Matt Goodheart pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning and has now gone 3-up, 3-down in both of his relief outings this year.
With the loss the ‘Dogs are now two games back of the Explorers for the final playoff spot in the American Association West Division.
The series continues on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and pregame coverage begins at 6:35 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.