LINCOLN — The St. Paul Saints (45-21) handled the Saltdogs (38-27) 8-1 in front of 5,362 fans at Haymarket Park Thursday night.
Former Huskers slugger Dan Johnson (2-2) pitched seven shutout innings as a knuckleballer to earn the victory.
The North-leaders jumped in front in the opening frame with an RBI single from Tony Thomas.
St. Paul extended its lead to 3-0 on a two-run homer by Trever Adams in the fourth.
Shairon Martis (7-6) allowed five earned in 7 2/3 innings, striking out five and walking one to suffer the loss.
Brandon Jacobs swatted a solo home run to right, his third in the last two weeks, to put Lincoln on the board in the eighth.
The series continues Friday night at 6:35 p.m. RHP Casey Barnes is expected to face RHP Robert Coe. Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.
Online streaming action starts at 6:30 p.m. on AmericanAssociationBaseball.TV.
Great seats are available for Fireworks Friday at saltdogs.com.