SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Saltdogs (17-29) scored a pair in the first and the pitching held in a 2-1 victory over the Sioux Falls Canaries (20-26) in front of 2,916 fans at The Birdcage Thursday night.
Luis Chirinos (3-4) pitched six innings, allowing a run on six hits while striking out four and walking three to earn the win.
Ryan Fennell worked two hitless innings of middle relief and Mackenzie King bounced back from a loss on Monday to pitch a perfect ninth for his fifth save.
The Canaries stranded 10 runners on base, including eight in scoring position.
Curt Smith hit a sacrifice fly and Mike Gilmartin scored on a throwing error following a Jeremy Hamilton single to give Lincoln the early 2-0 lead.
Miguel Pena (5-4) pitched seven innings, allowing two runs but suffered the loss.
Smith finished the four-game series with nine RBI, as the ‘Dogs took the final two to salvage the split and finish their weeklong road trip at 3-4.
The Saltdogs committed zero errors in the four-game series, their longest stretch of clean defense on the season.
Lincoln hosts Grand Prairie in game one of a four-game series at Haymarket Park Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.
The Saltdogs return home Friday, July 10 with a Fireworks Friday as they host Grand Prairie at 7:05 p.m. July 11 is a Souvenir Saturday featuring an Ameritas Red Saltdogs Jersey Giveaway and a 6:05 p.m. start time. Get your tickets now at www.saltdogs.com.