SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Lincoln got a first inning solo home run from Curt Smith, but that’s all they could muster as the Dogs (39-36) fell to the Sioux City Explorers (28-46) 5-1 Sunday night in front of 886 fans at Lewis and Clark Park.
Smith’s home run ended up the only hit the Dogs would get on the night. Richard Salazar (7-3) tossed seven innings of one-hit baseball for the Explorers. He allowed three walks and struck out six.
Jonathan Rodriguez and Jimmer Kennedy combined for a hitless inning of relief. Kennedy struck out two.
Bryan Pounds did most of the heavy lifting for the X’s. The Houston native drove in three runs with a pair of doubles.
Stephen Bougher (2-6) was pinned with the loss. He lasted seven and ¨÷ innings and allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks.
The Saltdogs have a scheduled off-day on Monday. They begin a six-game homestand Tuesday with the first of three games with the Sioux Falls Canaries. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage starts at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240. Right-hander Mike Burns (4-4, 4.44 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for the Dogs.
The Saltdogs return home to Haymarket Tuesday, August 6 for a six-game home stand. August 6 is Saltdogs Baseball Card Giveaway sponsored by Jacob North. For tickets visit www.saltdogs.com.