WICHITA, Kan. — The Saltdogs (3-1) clubbed four home runs in an eight-batter stretch, and held on to beat the Wingnuts (1-3) 9-6 in front of 3,156 fans at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium Sunday afternoon.
Christian Ibarra began the bomb brigade the third time through the order, sending a two-run long ball to left.
Curt Smith smacked a solo shot to center to begin the fourth. Two batters later Jon Smith jacked a solo home run to right center.
Pat Kelly capped off the impressive stretch with a solo home run to left to kick off the sixth.
The Wingnuts made things interesting late, shrinking an 8-1 deficit to 9-6, even bringing the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, before Jeff McKenzie extinguished the flames to earn the save.
Lincoln jumped out to another early lead, tallying three runs in the first, beginning with an Alexi Colon RBI double.
Bennett Parry (1-0) pitched five strong frames, allowing one run to earn the win. Eddie Medina (0-1) yielded seven runs in five innings to suffer the loss.
The Saltdogs open a three-game road series in Kansas City Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.
The ‘Dogs play their home opener May 27 at Haymarket Park against Winnipeg with a fireworks show after the game. Get your tickets now at www.saltdogs.com.