LINCOLN — An early four-run deficit proved too much to overcome as the Amarillo Sox (30-23) topped the Saltdogs (30-24) 6-4 in front of 3,537 fans at Haymarket Park Friday night.
For the third straight night, Amarillo jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the top of the first, only tonight Lincoln did not counter and the Sox doubled their advantage in the second.
Jason Mitchell (4-3) pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs – one earned – on six hits while striking out five and walking two to earn the win. Moises Melendez (2-2) worked six, surrendering four earned on seven hits to suffer the loss.
After tallying two unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth, the Saltdogs made it a 4-3 game but Amarillo would add runs in the sixth and eighth to inflate the lead to 6-3.
Erik Draxton struck out the side in the ninth to earn his seventh save of the season. The victory snapped a six-game losing streak for Amarillo.
Eight of the nine starters for the Saltdogs had base hits. Center fielder and lead-off man Daniel Carroll was a late scratch from the starting lineup after agreeing to terms with the Atlanta Braves.
The clubs are back at it for the series finale Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.