LINCOLN — Jeff McKenzie continued his run of sterling starting pitching as the Saltdogs (20-20) blanked the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (22-18) 1-0 in front of 3,847 fans at Haymarket Park Friday night.
McKenzie (2-2) worked eight scoreless, allowing just five single with two strikeouts to earn the win.
The 25-year old southpaw has allowed just one earned run over his three starts, spanning 20 innings.
Evan Reed pitched a perfect ninth to earn his eighth save of the year.
The lone scoring-rally began with a Pat Kelly opposite field double to begin the bottom of the eighth.
Following a Dainer Moreira bunt, Luis Alen drove in Kelly on a fielder’s choice two batters later.
Taylor Stanton (3-3) pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing a run on seven hits, striking out seven to suffer the loss.
Rene Leveret went 0-for-4, snapping a 21-game home on-base streak.
The Saltdogs have now shutout their opponent four times on the year.
Lincoln retired the final 13 Fargo hitters of the game, and 16 of the last 17.
The series continues Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. RHP Matt Larkins is expected to face LHP Tyler Alexander.
Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM and online coverage commences at 6:30 p.m. on AmericanAssociationBaseball.TV.
Saturday: Hannah Huston at Haymarket Park presented by Ameritas! Also, the first 2,000 fans receive a “Stars and Stripes” Saltdogs Jersey courtesy of Ameritas.
Get your tickets now at saltdogs.com/huston. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.