KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Chris McMurray spanked two home runs, Tony Butler was a strikeout machine in his return, and P.J. Zocchi tied a club record as the Saltdogs (34-49) edged the T-Bones (44-40) 5-4 in front of 4,606 fans at CommunityAmerica Ballpark Thursday night.
The Saltdogs tallied the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth on a David Espinosa single after Sean Smith set the table with a lead-off triple.
McMurray’s first home run was a two-run opposite field shot to open the game’s scoring in the top of the second. He later belted a solo shot to lead off the sixth, his 15th long ball of the year.
Pete Parise (6-5) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits with two strikeouts to earn the win. Griffin Bailey (0-1) allowed a run on two hits in one inning of relief to take the loss. Zocchi worked a scoreless ninth for his 22nd save to equal Chris Weidert’s club record of saves in a single season.
Tony Butler pitched six innings in his return start for the Saltdogs, allowing no earned runs on four hits while striking out eight. At one point Butler fanned seven T-Bones in a row.
The ‘Dogs committed three errors in the game which led to three unearned runs for Kansas City.
Lincoln returns home Friday night to open a three-game set with Amarillo Sox at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.