LINCOLN — After squandering a four-run lead, the Saltdogs (33-60) patience paid off in the eighth as they edged the Sioux Falls Canaries (35-58) 5-4 in front of 5,755 fans at Haymarket Park Sunday evening.
Lincoln built a 4-0 lead through six innings, getting four two-out RBI hits, two from the club’s triple crown leader Curt Smith.
Sioux Falls chipped away with two runs in the seventh and two more in the top of the eighth to tie the game.
Canaries relievers walked Tucker White to begin the bottom of the eighth. With Matt Forgatch originally attempting a sacrifice bunt, he was walked.
After Aaron Payne dropped a sacrifice bunt, Smith was intentionally walked to load the bases.
On a 3-2 pitch, C.J. Ziegler took ball four and Lincoln plated the go-ahead run.
The Saltdogs are off Monday and host the wildcard co-leaders (in the loss column) Joplin Blasters Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM. Online TV available at AmericanAssociationBaseball.TV.