LINCOLN, Nebraska – Christian Ibarra went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI, and the ‘Dogs cruised to a 4-2 win over the Texas AirHogs at Haymarket Park on Friday night.
Ibarra had his second three-hit game of the week and third of the year, and his two-run single in the 4th inning ended up as the game-winning hit.
The ‘Dogs scored the game’s first run in the 2nd inning with John Sansone’s RBI single. Lincoln loaded the bases with one out in the 4th before the Ibarra two-run single and Teodoro Martinez’s sacrifice fly made it 4-0.
Martinez was acquired from the Milwaukee Milkmen after Milwaukee played three games over the week at Haymarket Park. Friday night was his debut.
Stewart Ijames went 4-for-5 and drove in Texas’s only two runs. The first came on a single in the 5th, and the AirHogs scored an unearned run against Austin Pettibone – who closed out his second save of the year – in the 9th.
Ricky Knapp went six innings and allowed just one run in his first start since June 4th. With the two relief appearances he made during the interim, Knapp has now allowed just one run over his last 14 innings.
Evan Korson tossed two scoreless frames with two strikeouts, while Pettibone struck out three around a couple of hits in the 9th inning.
The ‘Dogs had 12 hits in the game after combining for just 12 hits over 28 innings in three games against the Milkmen. With the back-to-back wins, the ‘Dogs are now back to .500.
The ‘Dogs and ‘Hogs continue the three-game series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 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.