LINCOLN — The Saltdogs rallied furiously with seven runs in the eighth inning but fell to the Wichita Wingnuts 11-7 at Haymarket Park, giving Wichita a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five American Association Championship Series.
Wichita scored runs in three of the first four innings, capitalizing on a wild Marquis Fleming. The ‘Nuts then tacked on three in the fifth and three more in the sixth on a David Espinosa homer to assume a 9-0 advantage.
By the time the Saltdogs hit in the eighth, they were trailing 10-0. After a walk, an error and a single, Chad Mozingo walloped a grand slam to right to open Lincoln’s account.
The ‘Dogs got a two-run single from Ian Gac and a RBI knock from Brandon Pinckney to make it a 10-7 game through eight.
Wichita then mounted a two-out rally to notch a run in the ninth on a Carlo Testa two-out hit.
Tim Brown (2-0) ran through his former team like a buzz saw, tossing seven innings of three-hit ball to earn the win.
Fleming (1-1) lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing nine runs on seven hits with seven walks to suffer the loss.
Game two of the A.A.C.S. is Thursday at 6:35 p.m. LHP Kevin McGovern (0-0, 4.50) is expected to pitch for Lincoln against LHP Anthony Capra (0-1, 3.60). Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KFOR 1240.
Tickets are available now at www.saltdogs.com. $2 Pepsi Products and $2 Busch Light cans and 12 ounce draws available Thursday.