SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Three costly errors by Sioux City infielders allowed Matt Forgatch and Mike Coles to show off their power en route to a 6-2 Saltdogs (38-35) win over the Explorers (27-45) Friday night in front of 1,087 fans at Lewis and Clark Park.
X’s third-baseman Bryan Pounds booted a ground ball off the bat of Sean O’Connell to lead off the third inning. Two batters later, Mike Coles belted his second home run of the season to give the Dogs an early 2-0 lead.
Sioux City struck back with an RBI-double by Pounds in the fourth inning and another by Luke Murton in the fifth inning to tie the game off Lincoln starter Luis Chirinos.
The two teams traded zeroes until the eighth, until Jeff Squier drew a one-out walk, followed by errors by Pounds and Explorers shortstop Leugim Barroso to load the bases. Forgatch, batting cleanup thanks to a minor injury to Ian Gac, smacked a bases-clearing double to left to give the Dogs a 5-2 lead.
Squier added a sacrifice fly RBI in the ninth to add insurance for P.J. Zocci who pitched a perfect bottom of the ninth inning to ensure the win.
Danny Meszaros (2-0) grabbed the win in relief for Lincoln thanks to 2 ⅔ hitless innings in relief while Andy Noga (3-10) picked up a complete game loss for Sioux City.
Pounds went 2-3 with a double, and RBI and a walk in the loss for Sioux City. Murton had a pair of hits and an RBI.
The two teams meet again Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240. left-hander Moises Melendez (2-3, 4.48 ERA) takes the mound opposite Explorers right-hander Jason Jarvis (5-7, 3.49 ERA).
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.