SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota – Ryan Long hit two homers and drove in four runs, and the ‘Dogs held on to beat the Sioux Falls Canaries 6-4 at Sioux Falls Stadium on Tuesday night.
Long’s go-ahead two-run homer broke a 4-4 tie in the 8th inning, and he became only the second Saltdog with a multi-homer game this year. Lincoln (19-14) has now won five straight against the Canaries (10-25) and six of seven against Sioux Falls overall.
Osvaldo Martinez opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the 1st, and Hunter Clanin’s RBI single made it 2-1 in the 2nd.
After Wyatt Ulrich’s RBI double made it 3-1 in the bottom-half of the 2nd, Long tied the game at three with his first homer of the night. Two batters later, Justin Byrd – who extended his hitting streak to 10 with a single in the previous inning – gave the ‘Dogs a lead with a solo homer out to right field.
Garett Delano allowed four runs in four innings, but the Lincoln bullpen combined for five scoreless innings. David Zoz went 1.2 innings, Carter Hope earned his fourth win of the year with 1.1 innings, and Steffon Moore picked up his second save by recording the final six outs.
Hunter Clanin now has a season-high 26-game on-base streak, and he saved multiple runs with defensive plays in right field. With two on and two out in the 4th, Clanin’s diving catch took extra bases away from Gavin LaValley and kept the game tied at four.
With two on and two out in the 6th, LaValley then hit a single to right. Clanin’s throw home beat Ulrich comfortably and once again kept the game tied.
Randy Norris went 1-for-4 with two walks and two runs scored, and he now has a season-high nine-game hitting streak.
The series continues Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and pregame coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. 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.