LAREDO, Texas — Brian Joynt lashed a home run to give Lincoln (21-24) the early 2-0 lead, but the Laredo Lemurs (24-20) answered back with the next four and held the lead the final five frames to take the rubber match 4-3 in front of 4,125 fans at Uni-Trade Stadium Thursday night.
Joynt's long ball, his fifth of the season, opened the game's scoring in the top of the third. The Lemurs then responded with three in the home half and a Gerardo Avila homer in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead.
Casey Harman (2-0) pitched eight innings, allowing three runs on nine hits to earn the win. Chad Povich worked a hitless ninth to earn his seventh save.
Zachary Varce (2-4) went six, surrendering four runs on 10 hits to suffer the loss.
The Saltdogs tallied their third run in the fifth inning, set up by a Chad Mozingo triple to right and realized by a Jeremy Hamilton ground ball to the second baseman.
Joynt finished the night 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles and two RBI. Kevin Howard went 2-for-4 and has not hit safely in all nine games since returning from the disabled list.
Lincoln heads to Grand Prairie to open a three-game series with the AirHogs Independence Day at 6:05 p.m. RHP Joe Bisenius (3-2, 4.18) is expected to square off against RHP Trevor Harden (3-1, 4.03). Radio coverage begins at 5:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.
The Saltdogs return home to Haymarket Park Monday, July 7 to take on Laredo at 7:05 p.m. Come out to the yard for Bark in the Park featuring Wachal Wiener Dog Nationals! Stop by the Home Run Terrace for "Yappy Hour" at 6 p.m. and enjoy $2 hot dogs and $2 Blue Blood Brewing Co. "6-4-3 Double Play Pilsner" on draft. Get your tickets now at www.saltdogs.com.