WICHITA, KS – The Lincoln Saltdogs (46-26) did not manage a hit in the final four innings and fell to the Wichita Wingnuts (45-28) 3-2 on Monday night.
Starting pitcher Tyler Kane was excellent for the Wingnuts. He allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings on the way to his eighth win of the season. He recorded a quality start without issuing a walk or striking out a batter.
Bennett Parry was charged with the loss for the Saltdogs in his first game back from the Inactive List. He surrendered four runs on 10 hits, all singles, over 5.1 innings. He walked two batters compared to five strikeouts.
Wichita got to Parry in the first inning. The first three hitters of the bottom of the first recorded hits, with Brent Clevlen single driving in the run. Then, Parry settled in to strike out two straight and induce an inning-ending groundout.
The Saltdogs took the lead in the top of the third inning. Randolph Oduber started the frame with a base hit to right field and Joe Robbins followed bunt single. After the runners were bunted to second and third, Oduber was erased on a fielder’s choice that put Matty Johnson at second base. Cesar Valera came up clutch with a two-out triple that scored Robbins and Johnson to give ‘Dogs the 2-1 lead. It was Valera’s fifth triple of the season, tying him for the second most in the league.
The Wingnuts tied it in the fifth. Tyler Sullivan blooped a single to left field to reach with two outs and Christian Stringer followed with a walk. Next, Clevlen came through again with an RBI base hit to tie the game.
Wichita continued the offense in the sixth. Martin Medina and Richard Prigatano collected consecutive hits and Brennen Salgado walked to load the bases. Relief pitcher Fabio Martinez was inserted for Parry with one out. He got Leo Vargas to pop out to shallow right field, but it was enough to let Medina tag up and score to take the lead.
Kane and relievers James Campbell and Austin Boyle combined to shut down the Saltdogs in the second half of the game. They retired 14 straight batters from the second at bat of the fifth until two outs in the ninth inning.
Curt Smith did not reach base, ending his 26 game on-base streak. Monday was Parry’s first start this season in which he allowed more than two runs.
The Saltdogs look to even the series against the Wingnuts on Tuesday night. First pitch is at 7:05 PM with coverage beginning at 6:35 PM on ESPN 1480 and saltdogs.com.
The team returns to Lincoln to face the Sioux City Explorers on Thursday, August 10th. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling (402) 474-2255 or visiting Saltdogs.com. For the latest information on the Saltdogs follow the team on Facebook and Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball.