(Photo courtesy of Winnipeg Goldeyes)
Winnipeg, Manitoba– The Saltdogs could not snap their current losing streak as the Winnipeg Goldeyes came from behind to record a 7-6 win over Lincoln, Sunday afternoon at Blue Cross Park. Winnipeg’s Adam Hall hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, and the Goldeyes held on to complete the three-game sweep over the Saltdogs. Lincoln has dropped five in a row, while Winnipeg has won eight straight.
Winnipeg (35-31) scored seven runs, off ten hits, committed no errors and left seven runners on base. Lincoln (29-39) had six runs, off nine hits, with two errors, and left six runners aboard. Sunday’s game lasted two hours and fifty-six minutes and was played in front of 2,663 fans.
The Goldeyes started the scoring in the bottom of the first. Facing Lincoln starter Foster Pace, Ray-Patrick Didder was hit by a pitch. An Adam Hall sacrifice bunt moved Didder to second, who then took third on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Noah Marcelo hit a two-run home run to left field, to make it 2-0.
Lincoln responded by fetching the lead in the top of the fourth. Facing Winnipeg starter James Bradwell, Jairo Pomares and Cary Arbolida hit back-to-back one-out singles. Two batters later, Tanner O’Tremba hit a two-RBI double, to tie the game. Then, Calyn Halvorson singled, scoring O’Tremba, to put Lincoln in front 3-2.
Winnipeg recaptured the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Keshawn Lynch led off the inning with a solo home run to left field. Then, Roby Enriquez and Max Murphy hit back-to-back singles. Two batters later, Kevin Garcia drew a walk. Then, Ray-Patrick Didder hit a two-RBI single, to make it a 5-3 Goldeyes lead.
The Saltdogs battled right back to grab the lead, again. Cam Dayton and Griffin Everitt led off the top of the fifth with back-to-back singles. A sacrifice bunt by Cam Phelts moved the runners to second and third. Then, Nick Shumpert singled, scoring Dayton. The Goldeyes went to the bullpen and brought in Quinn Waterhouse to pitch. Jairo Pomares drew a walk. Then, Cary Arbolida hit a two-run double off the left field wall, to put Lincoln in front, 6-5.
The score remained the same until the bottom of the eighth inning. Lincoln brought in Zac McCleve to pitch. With one out, Kevin Garcia singled. Then, Raphael Pelletier pinch-ran for Garcia. Two batters later, Adam Hall hit a two-run home run to left field to give Winnipeg a 7-6 lead.
In the top of the ninth, the Goldeyes brought in Derrick Cherry to pitch. He got Cam Dayton to foul out wide of third and Griffin Everitt to fly out to right for the first two outs. Cam Phelts walked and stole second. However, Cherry struck out Nick Shumpert, swinging, to end the game.
Winnipeg starter James Bradwell pitched 4.1 innings, giving up six runs, off seven hits, struck out three, and walked one. Quinn Waterhouse pitched 0.1 inning and gave up one hit, struck out one and walked one. Willian Suarez worked 2.1 innings, yielding one hit, struck out two and walked one. Eli Saul (4-0) earned the win, pitching a clean eighth inning. Derrick Cherry (12) earned the save, pitching 1.0 inning, struck out one and walked one.
Lincoln starter Foster Pace pitched 5.0 innings, giving up five runs, off seven hits, struck out four and walked one. Tyler Stasiowski worked 1.0 inning and struck out two. Gabriel Jaramillo pitched 1.0 inning and gave up one hit and walked one. Zac McCleve (1-3) took the loss, pitching 1.0 inning, giving up two runs, off two hits and struck out one.
Offensively for the Goldeyes, Ray-Patrick Didder was 1-for-4 with two RBIs. Adam Hall went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run. Noah Marcelo was 1-for-3 with a two-run home run. Keshawn Lynch went 1-for-4 with a solo home run. Roby Enriquez was 2-for-3.
For the Saltdogs, Nick Shumpert was 2-for-5 and drove in one run. Cary Arbolida was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Tanner O’Tremba went 1-for-4 with two runs batted in. Calyn Halvorson was 1-for-4 with an RBI.
The Saltdogs continue their nine-game season-long road trip by traveling to Kansas City to take on the Monarchs. After an off-day Monday, Lincoln will play the West Division leaders Tuesday night. RHP Jacob Hughes (3-2, 4.83 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln. Kansas City has not announced their starter, yet. First pitch at Legends Field will be 6:35 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.
The next Saltdogs home game will be Friday, August 7th, when Lincoln hosts the Winnipeg Goldeyes at Haymarket Park, beginning at 7:05 p.m. That game will be FREE T-SHIRT FRIDAY! sponsored by Abante Marketing. It is also The Arc of Lincoln Disability Empowerment Night. In addition, there will be Post-Game Fireworks sponsored by Sandhills Global. Plus, part of the Saltdogs 25th Season Celebration, there will be 25% off in the Souvenir Store. For tickets, merchandise and more information, visit: www.saltdogs.com.