LINCOLN, Nebraska – Curt Smith went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored, but the ‘Dogs gave up a 9th-inning home run in an 8-7 loss to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Haymarket Park on Friday night.
Smith’s two-hit night was his 26th multi-hit game of the year, but former Saltdog T.J. Bennett hit a solo homer with one out in the 9th to break a tie and hand Lincoln its first home sweep in 2019.
The RedHawks took a 5-2 lead after 4.5 innings before the ‘Dogs rallied to take the lead in the 5th. Smith singled in a run before Oduber hit an RBI groundout. Eventually, both Smith and Mazzola scored on consecutive wild pitches thrown by ‘Hawks starter Sebastian Kessay.
In the 6th, Chris Jacobs hit his second homer of the series, a two-out, two-run homer to right-center that restored Fargo’s lead.
The ‘Dogs tied the game again in the 7th. With runners on first and third, Nick Schulz attempted a steal of second and was tagged out, but the RedHawks tried to throw behind Oduber at 3rd base, Leobaldo Pina dropped the ball, and Oduber scored on a fielder’s choice.
Shairon Martis entered in the 7th for his second relief outing, but gave up the homer to Bennett – his ninth homer allowed this year – and took his sixth loss of the season.
The ‘Dogs have now lost a franchise-record 11 games in a row. Lincoln heads to Sioux Falls, S.D. for three games with the Sioux Falls Canaries Saturday-Monday. First-pitch time on Saturday is scheduled for 6:05 p.m., and pregame coverage will begin at 5:35 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.