LINCOLN, Nebraska – Greg Minier tossed six shutout innings, Edgar Corcino drove in four runs, and the Lincoln Saltdogs beat the Sioux City Explorers 11-1 in Curt Smith’s franchise-record 612th career game at Haymarket Park on Thursday night.
Minier retired the last 15 batters he faced, and the Saltdogs (22-23) scored seven 1st-inning run en route to a four-game series split.
Smith passed Bryan Warner for the most games played by a player in franchise history when he stepped to the plate in the 1st inning, and his infield single opened the scoring in a seven-run frame – Lincoln’s highest-scoring half-inning this year.
Yanio Perez added to the lead with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0, and David Vidal followed with an RBI single ahead of Edgar Corcino’s two-run double. Up 5-0, Zak Taylor drove in another run with a single to extend his hitting streak to five. Justin Byrd later added one more with an RBI double.
The Saltdogs made it 8-0 on Corcino’s RBI double in the 2nd, and Lincoln took a 10-0 lead with two runs in the 5th.
Sioux City’s (28-18) lone run came on Lane Milligan’s leadoff homer in the 7th, and the Saltdogs restored a 10-run lead on Corcino’s RBI groundout in the 8th.
Jake Hohensee allowed one run in two innings, and James Pugliese went 1-2-3 in the 9th.
David Vidal had two hits and two walks, while Zak Taylor had two hits. Justin Byrd went 1-for-4 with a double, a walk, two RBIs and a run scored, and Josh Altmann had two hits with two runs.
The ‘Dogs now welcome Fargo-Moorhead to Haymarket Park for the only time this season. A three-game series begins Friday at 7:05 p.m., and pregame coverage is set for 6:35 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.