LINCOLN — Jon Smith hit a grand slam to cap off a six-run fifth, but the St. Paul Saints (46-21) rallied for the game’s next seven runs in a 9-7 victory over the Saltdogs (38-28) in front of 5,575 fans at Haymarket Park Friday night.
Immediately after Lincoln piled on a half-dozen, former Husker Dan Johnson led off the sixth with a solo homer, his first of two on the night.
Johnson swatted a two-run shot in the seventh, which was followed by an Aaron Gretz homer to put the Saints in front 8-7.
Johnson finished 4-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI in his first at-bats back in his collegiate city since leading the Huskers to a College World Series in 2001.
Brandon Jacobs homered for the second straight night for Lincoln, an impressive shot to deep left center to begin the fourth.
The Saltdogs lost for just the fifth time in 31 games when scoring five or more runs.
St. Paul has scored 17 runs in two games against the league’s best pitching staff.
The series continues Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. with RHP Ryan O’Sullivan squaring off against All Star RHP Mark Hamburger.
Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM with online streaming action starting at 6:30 p.m. on AmericanAssociationBaseball.TV.
The 5th Annual Haymarket Park Beer Fest is tomorrow (July 30)! Get your tickets at haymarketparkbeerfest.com.