KANSAS CITY, Kan. — For the second straight game A.J. Miller came through with a clutch eighth-inning swing, and the Saltdogs capitalized on some sloppy T-Bones play in the ninth to come back and win 9-7 in front of 4,951 fans at CommunityAmerica Ballpark Tuesday night.
With two strikes and two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Miller launched a two-run double to right center to draw the Saltdogs to within a run at 7-6.
Lincoln loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the ninth, then scored three runs on consecutive infield errors by Kansas City to take a 9-7 lead.
Travis Parker (1-0) worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit to earn his first professional win.
Mike Mehlich (1-2) allowed three runs – one earned – on one hit to take the loss.
David Espinosa and Stephen Holdren each produced two-hit performances. P.J. Zocchi worked a perfect ninth to book his 21st save, matching last season’s total.
The clubs are back at it Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. for game two of the three-game set. Justin Edwards (4-6, 5.42) will square off against Shaun Garceau (7-4, 2.82). Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.