LINCOLN – Curt Smith and Brandon Jacobs hit back-to-back home runs and the Lincoln Saltdogs beat the Salina Stockade 3-1 in a game that made it to the middle of the sixth inning before rain forced it to end.
The rain-shortened contest is the second of its kind this season for the Saltdogs. The Dogs won 2-0 over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on June 13th in a game that also made it to the middle of the sixth inning in North Dakota.
Brian McAfee earned the complete game win after tossing six innings and allowing just one run. He surrendered six hits but was able to induce two double plays to help his cause. McAfee struck out three batters compared to two walks.
Salina scored the first run of the game in the second inning. Cody Coffman reached with a one-out single. Then, Roche Woodard singled to right field where Randolph Oduber misplayed the ball to allow the runners to move to second and third base. Next, McAfee threw a wild pitch to let Coffman score to make it 1-0.
The Saltdogs’ offense woke up in the bottom of the fourth inning. Curt Smith hit a towering home run to right field to start the frame. Then, Brandon Jacobs pulled a ball over the left field fence for the second straight homer. Later, Joe Robbins walked and Ivan Marin doubled. Robbins was tagged by the catcher Coffman, but he dropped the ball allowing Robbins to score and make it 3-1.
It was the first time the Saltdogs hit back-to-back home runs this season. Smith’s long ball was his 48th home run as a Saltdogs player, tying him with Josh Patton for the second most in franchise history.
McAfee’s complete game was the fourth by a Saltdogs pitcher this season. It was McAfee’s second straight quality start. The win gave the Saltdogs the series win, their first since June 19-21st against the Winnipeg Goldeyes
The Saltdogs turn to Derek Gordon tomorrow night to go for the sweep. Lincoln’s last series sweep was June 9-11th as they took all three from Salina.
The Saltdogs and the Stockade play game three tomorrow night. First pitch is at 6:45 PM and coverage begins at 6:15 PM on ESPN 1480 and saltdogs.com.
Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling (402) 474-2255 or visiting Saltdogs.com. For the latest information on the Saltdogs follow the team on Facebook and Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball.