LINCOLN — Dennis Raben spanked two home runs and a double but it wasn't enough as the Sioux City Explorers (10-12) hung on to beat the Saltdogs (11-11) 6-5 in front of 3,255 fans at Haymarket Park Saturday night.
Following an 87 minute rain delay to start the game, the Explorers got a three-home run from Palmer Karr to take a 3-0 lead and never trailed.
Raben laced a hustle double to lead off the bottom of the ninth but was left stranded on second base. Raben finished 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI.
Jason Jarvis (3-2) pitched six innings, allowing five runs on six hits to pick up the win. Pete Parise (2-2) went seven, allowing five earned on eight hits while striking out a season-high nine and walking one to suffer the loss. Chris Bodishbaugh pitched a scoreless ninth to notch his sixth save.
Matt Forgatch continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run.
Saltdogs pitchers have struck out 23 and walked just two over the first two games of the series.
Ian Gac was taken out of the game in the eighth after being struck on the finger on a foul tip.
The clubs play the series finale Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. Nate Moreau (0-2, 7.41) will face Andy Noga (1-3, 6.00). Radio coverage begins at 4:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.