SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Sioux Falls Canaries (18-30) matched a franchise record with 10 runs in the third as they took care of the Saltdogs (26-22) 11-5 in front of 3,325 fans at The Birdcage Saturday night.
Canaries sent 15 men to the plate in the decisive frame, scoring 10 runs on 11 hits – with three doubles and three home runs.
Mitchell Clegg (3-2) pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits to earn the win. Mike Burns (2-3) surrendered 10 runs on 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings to take the loss.
J.P. Ramirez, Jared Clark, and Nate Bauman all went deep for Sioux Falls in the third, over a four-batter stretch.
Brian Embery hit his first professional home run, a two-run shot as a right-hander to left field in the second. Lincoln extended it's early lead to 3-0 on a Matt Forgatch RBI single.
The Saltdogs added two more in the ninth on a Daniel Carroll two-run double. Carroll finished the night 2-for-5 with a run, two stolen bases and two RBI.
Conor Spink and Travis Parker combined to pitch the final 5 2/3 innings for Lincoln, allowing just one run on four hits.
The clubs are back at it Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. for game two of the four-game set. Moises Melendez (2-1, 4.84) will battle American Association strikeout leader Ben Moore (5-3, 4.01). Radio coverage begins at 12:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.